Means of realization of irony

 

5. "And here's the woman I woke up on the phone last Saturday." "How did you know that? I thought I sounded as bright as a penny" [Stewart, 1971, 19].

     It is known from the previous chapter that the character was yawning while speaking on the phone, so she could not sound bright.

1) In the given example irony is associative, as the figurative meaning in this case is realized gradually.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, the woman sneers at herself.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by stylistic device simile (I thought I sounded as bright as a penny).

 

6. In the following case some man sends Julia, a well-known actress, flowers. While she is making up for the play she discusses the matter with her dresser.

[Julia] "[...] Who the hell do you suppose he is, Evie?"

"Some feller knocked all of a heap by your fatal beauty, I expect."

"You're so damned unromantic, Evie. Just because I'm not a chorus girl you can't 'understand why anyone should send me flowers. And God knows, I've got better legs than most of them."

"You and your legs," said Evie.

"Well, I don't mind telling you I think it's a bit of all right having an unknown man sending me flowers at my time of life. I mean it just shows you."

"If he saw you now 'e wouldn't, not if I know anything about men."

"Go to hell," said Julia [Maugham, 2002, 87].

     Here Evie mocks Julia’s vanity and ambitions, and Julia mocks Evie’s provinciality.

1) In the given example irony is associative as it needs the knowledge of the context for its perception.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place. Evie sneers at Julia, and Julia mocks Evie.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by epithet (fatal beauty) and ordinary repetition (And God knows, I've got better legs than most of them. - You and your legs). Irony here is also expressed by stylistically neutral means (Just because I'm not a chorus girl you can't 'understand why anyone should send me flowers; if he saw you now 'e wouldn't, not if I know anything about men).

 

7. In the following example, a well-known middle-aged actress Julia speaks to Tom after sending him money to tip the servants, just to hurt his feelings as a revenge for his love affairs with some girl.

[Julia] "[. . .] Have I offended you?"

"Oh no," he answered. "I like being treated like a kept boy. I like having it thrown in my face that even my tips have to be given me. I thought it rather strange that you didn't send me the money for a third-class ticket back to London" [Maugham, 2002, 156].

1) In the given example irony is associative, as the figurative meaning in this case is realized gradually.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by simile (I like being treated like a kept boy), anaphoric repetition (I like being treated like a kept boy. I like having it thrown in my face that even my tips have to be given me), gradation and irony as a stylistic device (I like being treated like a kept boy. I like having it thrown in my face that even my tips have to be given me).

 

8.  In the following example the above-mentioned actress Julia speaks with her son about his self-conceited, not very clever father.

[Julia] "You can hardly say that your father doesn't exist. Why, he's been playing himself for the last twenty years."[...]

[Roger] "Poor father, I suppose he's good at his job, but he's not very intelligent, is he? He's so busy being the handsomest man in England."

"I don't think it's very nice of you to speak of your father like that."

"Have I told you anything you don't know?" he asked coolly [Maugham, 2002, 270].

1) In the given example irony is situational as it is understood immediately.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place. Roger mocks at his father in the conversation with Julia and at his mother for her hypocrisy.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by rhetorical question (Have I told you anything you don't know?) and hyperbole (He's so busy being the handsomest man in England).

 

9. In the example below the above-mentioned Julia speaks again with her son.

[Roger] "No. You were fond of me when I was a kid and you could have me photographed with you. It made a lovely picture and it was fine publicity. But since then you haven't bothered much about me. I've bored you rather than otherwise. [...]"

"You forget that young things are rather boring."

"Crashing, I should think," he smiled. "But then why do you pretend that you can't bear to let me out of your sight? That's just acting too."

"You make me very unhappy. You make me feel as if I hadn't done my duty to you."

"But you have. You've been a very good mother. You've done something for which I shall always be grateful to you, you've left me alone" [Maugham, 2002, 271-272].

     Here the son expresses his disappointment concerning his mother’s behaviour: she never really loved him and used him only for publicity and gaining good reputation.

1) In the given example irony is associative, as the figurative meaning in this case is realized gradually.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place and one of them sneers at the other.

3) The content of irony here is criticism concealed by praise.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by anaphoric repetition (You've been a very good mother. You've done something for which I shall always be grateful to you, you've left me alone) and gradation.

 

10. In the following example Julia speaks to her ex-lover Tom about his new fiancée, Avice, who also wants to be an actress but has no talent for that.

[Julia] "Are you engaged to her [Avice]?"

[Tom] "No. She wants her freedom. She says an engagement would interfere with her career."

[Julia] "With her what?" The words slipped out of Julia's mouth before she could stop them, but immediately recovered herself. "Yes, I see what she means of course" [Maugham, 2002, 283].

1) In the given example irony is associative, as the figurative meaning in this case is realized gradually.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place. Here Julia sneers at Avice’s ambitions about her imaginary career.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by rhetorical question (With her what?) and catch repetition (She says an engagement would interfere with her career. -With her what?).

 

11. In the following example one of the friends mocks the other’s suspicious:

"Do you think they are spies or something?"

"Definitely. Narcotic agents, trying to find out how we are smuggling in all

that hashish" [Stewart, 1971, 20].

1) In the given example irony is situational as it is understood immediately.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place and one of them sneers at the other.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by elliptical sentences (Definitely. Narcotic agents, trying to find out how we are smuggling in all that hashish).

 

12. In the following example a 10-year-old boy, Teddy, had faced around and resumed looking out of the porthole.

"We passed the Queen Mary at three-thirty-two this morning, going the other way, if anybody's interested," he said slowly. "Which I doubt" [Salinger, 1982, 151].

     Here the boy implicitly criticizes his parents’ behaviour and attitude to him; they seem rather distant.

1) In the given example irony is associative as it needs the knowledge of the context for its perception.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, we have the words of the speaker meant for the addressees.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by the detachment (Which I doubt).

 

13. In the following example Franny’s boyfriend, Lane, speaks to her after their quarrel and her long absence at the lady's room after it.

[Lane] "You O.K., or what?"

Franny lit a cigarette. "I'm marvelous now. I just never felt so fantastically rocky in my entire life. Did you order?" [Salinger 1982, 190-191].

1) In the given example irony is associative as it needs the knowledge of the pre-text for its perception.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, in a dialogue.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by irony as a stylistic device, hyperboly and gradation (I'm marvelous now. I just never felt so fantastically rocky in my entire life.)

 

14. "We haven't lived together in fifteen years."

"Some marriage" [Grisham, 1994, 72].

 

1) In the given example irony is situational as it is understood immediately.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, in a dialogue.

3) The content of irony here is criticism disguised by praise.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by the ellipsis (Some marriage) and by the stylistic device of irony (the word “some” is used here in the meaning of “great” but implying just the opposite).

 

15. [Mr. Pelumpton] "I'll go round just before dinner and catch 'im in then. That's the idea."

"Yes, that is the idea," said his wife sharply. "Wait till the pub is open and then catch him in. I know that idea. It's a good idea, that is. If it wasn't for that idea, I don't know why the pubs 'ud ever open at dinner time, 'cos they wouldn't have any custom" [Priestley, 1974, 274].

1) In the given example irony is situational as it is understood immediately.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place and one of them sneers at the other. Mr. Pelumpton suffers from his wife’s caustic remarks.

3) The content of irony here is criticism disguised by praise.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by ordinary repetition, epiphora and climax (…That's the idea. – Yes, that is the idea. Wait till the pub is open and then catch him in. I know that idea. It's a good idea, that is. If it wasn't for that idea…).

 

16. [Caroline] "What did she die of? Heart failure?"

"Didn't the milkman tell you that?" I inquired sarcastically [Christie, 1976, 19].

     Here the speaker mocks at the gossipy character of the addressee.

1) In the given example irony is associative, as the figurative meaning in this case is realized gradually. From the context we know that there is no need for Caroline to go out to get information. She sits at home and collects gossip.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place and one of them sneers at the other.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by rhetorical question (Didn't the milkman tell you that?).

 

17. LORD CAVERSHAM. Never go anywhere now. Sick of London Society. Shouldn't mind being introduced to my own tailor; he always votes on the right side. But object strongly to being sent down to dinner with my wife's milliner. Never could stand Lady Caversham's bonnets.

MABEL CHILTERN. Oh, I love London Society! I think it has immensely improved. It is entirely composed now of beautiful idiots and brilliant lunatics. Just what Society should be [Wilde, 1968, 175].

1) In the given example irony is situational as we immediately understand that Mabel Chiltern doesn’t really love London Society.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place and one of them sneers at the other.

3) The content of irony here is criticism disguised by praise.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by oxymoron (It is entirely composed now of beautiful idiots and brilliant lunatics), epithet (I think it has immensely improved) and irony as a stylistic device (Oh, I love London Society!).

 

18. HOPPER. Wasn't it made at the same time as the others, Duchess?

DUCHESS OF BERWICK. How clever you are, Mr. Hopper. You have a cleverness quite of your own. Now I mustn't keep you [Wilde, 1968, 43].

1) In the given example irony is situational as we immediately understand that the word “clever” conveys a sense opposite to its literal signification.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place and one of them sneers at the other.

3) The content of irony here is criticism concealed by praise.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by root repetition and climax (How clever you are, Mr. Hopper. You have a cleverness quite of your own).

 

19. LORD ILLINGWORTH. Moderation is a fatal thing, Lady Hunstanton.

Nothing succeeds like excess.

LADY HUNSTANTON. I hope I shall remember that. It sounds an

admirable maxim. But I'm beginning to forget everything. It's a

great misfortune.

LORD ILLINGWORTH. It is one of your most fascinating qualities,

Lady Hunstanton. No woman should have a memory. Memory in a woman

is the beginning of dowdiness [Wilde, 1968, 144].

1) In the given example irony is situational as we immediately understand that Lord Illingworth sneers at the lady’s bad memory.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place and one of them mocks at the other and at the group of people the addressee belongs to (the fair sex).

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by anadiplosis (No woman should have a memory. Memory in a woman is the beginning of dowdiness) and irony as a stylistic device (It is one of your most fascinating qualities).

 

20. SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. But you have not told me yet what makes you honour London so suddenly. Our season is almost over.

MRS. CHEVELEY. Oh! I don't care about the London season! It is too matrimonial. People are either hunting for husbands, or hiding from them [Wilde, 1968, 181].

1) In the given example irony is situational as it can be immediately understood. The ironical implication is obvious in Mrs Cheveley’s cynical remark.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place. Mrs Cheveley sneers at the matrimonial season in London.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by antithesis (People are either hunting for husbands, or hiding from them), alliteration (hunting for husbands, or hiding from them) and a metaphor (People are either hunting for husbands).

 

21. MRS. CHEVELEY. I want to talk to you about a great political and financial scheme, about this Argentine Canal Company, in fact.

SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. What a tedious, practical subject for you to talk about, Mrs. Cheveley!

MRS. CHEVELEY. Oh, I like tedious, practical subjects. What I don't like are tedious, practical people. There is a wide difference [Wilde, 1968, 189].

1) In the given example irony is situational as it can be immediately understood. Mrs. Cheveley hints at the fact that Sir Robert Chiltern is “tedious” and “practical” and her remarks have a touch of irony.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place and one of them sneers at the other.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by epiphora (What a tedious, practical subject for you to talk about, Mrs. Cheveley! - Oh, I like tedious, practical subjects. What I don't like are tedious, practical people) and epithets (tedious, practical subjects).

 

22. GERTRUDE. Didn't think you liked political parties.

LORD GORING. I adore political parties. They're the only place left us where people don't talk politics [Wilde, 1968, 184].

1) In the given example irony is situational, it can be immediately understood. As we know that the members of political parties must talk politics, it is their duty, but instead of it they pronounce some absurd, cynical words and discuss rumours and gossip.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place and one of them is ironical about political parties.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by hyperbole (I adore political parties. They're the only place left us where people don't talk politics), epiphora and root repetition (Didn't think you liked political parties. - I adore political parties. They're the only place left us where people don't talk politics).

 

23. SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. (Takes letter and reads it.) A seat in the Cabinet!

LORD CAVERSHAM. Certainly, and you well deserve it too. You have got what we want so much in political life nowadays - high character, high moral tone, high principles. (To LORD GORING.) Everything that you have not got, sir, and never will have.

LORD GORING. I don't like principles, father. I prefer prejudices [Wilde, 1968, 179].

1) In the given example irony is associative, as the figurative meaning in this case is realized gradually. From the context we know that Goring's father, the crusty and cantankerous Earl of Caversham, has not a single good word to say about his son. Caversham views his son as an idler who lives only for his own pleasure. The irony here is that we know just how wrong he is. Sir Robert is not quite as completely noble as the old earl believes and his son has proved himself to have a truly sterling character.

2) Irony here is realized by the author.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by the epithet (“high”), enumeration and anaphoric repetition (high character, high moral tone, high principles).

 

24. 'Pleased to meet you,’ she said. 'Congratulations on Crèmee de

Phylgie. Does it really contain sea slugs?'

He didn't laugh, he glinted. 'Not the sea slugs themselves, only an essence: an oil secreted by their skin.'

'It sounds like something you'd want to wipe off rather than put on [Fielding, 2003, 16].

1) In the given example irony is situational, it can be immediately understood.

2) Irony here is realized between the communicants, as a dialogue between two characters takes place. Olivia sneers at the cream and its producer.

3) The content of irony here is the conflict between the ideal and the real.

4) The ironical meaning is expressed by simile and antithesis (It sounds like something you'd want to wipe off rather than put on).