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Definition of Verbal Irony
Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. When there's a hurricane raging outside and someone remarks "what... read full definition
Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. When there's a hurricane raging... read full definition
Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean... read full definition
Letter XXVI. to Miss Lucy Freeman.
Explanation and Analysis—Praise or Censure:
In a letter to Lucy, Eliza relates a flirtatious conversation with Sanford, who is trying to sway her against accepting Boyer's proposals. Sanford says that if she marries Boyer, Eliza will spend the rest of her life seeking favor with gossipy townspeople eager to find fault in a pastor's wife. Trying to keep Sanford on his toes, Eliza responds haughtily that,
[...] as to the praise or censure of the populace, I hope always to enjoy that approbation of conscience, which will render me superior to both.
In this passage, Eliza says that her strong moral compass will prevent her from being affected by other people's approval or disapproval. This is an example of verbal irony, because what Eliza says does not at all reflect her mental state. Contrary to her assertions to Lucy, Eliza is driven by a desire to be appreciated and esteemed by others, especially men. Sanford, who instantly perceives this character trait in her and remarks on it in his own correspondence, showers her with praise in order to seduce her; his behavior renders Eliza vulnerable to him in ways that friends like Lucy, who care less about appearing beautiful or charming, are not. Moreover, Eliza inwardly agrees with Sanford's dire predictions about marriage to Boyer; she's reluctant to accept the pastor's proposals precisely because she fears life with him would be boring and constrained.
This passage is also an example of situational irony, because Eliza's assertion is at odds with the social circumstances in which she lives. Whether or not she personally values the "praise or censure" of others, Eliza cannot afford to be truly indifferent to other people's opinions. In a society in which women's fates are dependent on the kind of man they marry, and securing a respectable marriage depends on cultivating a spotless reputation, women like Eliza and Lucy must be acutely attuned to what other people think of them. In fact, Eliza meets a tragic fate precisely because she prioritizes the opinion of unserious suitors like Sanford over her moral reputation, thus dooming her prospects of making an advantageous marriage.
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