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Pri de and Prejudi ce: ce: Irony
Directions: The following chart contains examples of irony from Vol. Vol. III. For each example, label the type of irony irony it represents and explain what is ironic about it. The first one has been done for you. When you are finished with the character answer the following questions:
1. Discuss the effects of irony on the story. In Pride and Prejudice, the main effect of irony is to introduce a light component comp onent to it to offset the serious topics discussed in it, as well as to add a bit of wit.
2. How does it create suspense? Up to the last, we fully expect ex pect that the ironic hatred between Lizzy Lizz y and Darcy will continue on, when BOOM, they are both in love.
3. How does it contribute to characterization? Especially with Mr. Bennet, it is used to paint p aint characters as especially witty, or especially stupid in his wife’s case, or especially thick in Collin’s case.
4. How does it add humor? Verbal irony and situational irony especially serve to add humor because we fully expect one thing to happen, and an d sometimes something else will happen that is so outrageous that we cannot help but laugh at the situation.
5. Explain the title of the book as an example of irony. The title of “Pride and Prejudice,” is ironic in that in that it foreshadows the faults of the main characters even as they are unable to see it within themselves. More ironically, they are perfectly able to see the faults in the other character.
Example of Irony “Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the — shire militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family.”
Miss Bingley disparages Elizabeth to Mr. Darcy, trying to get him to join her censure, until finally, he says, “… it is many months since I have considered [Elizabeth] as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.” (Pg. 232) “Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth talked of all that had occurred, during their visit, as they returned, except what had particularly interested them both. . .except of the person who had mostly engaged their attention. . . of everything but himself; yet Elizabeth was longing to know what Mrs. Gardiner thought of him, and Mrs. Gardiner would have been highly gratified by her niece’s beginning the subject.” (Pg. 232)
Type
Dramatic
Verbal
Dramatic
Explanation Caroline Bingley intends to make Elizabeth uncomfortable by reminding her and Mr. Darcy of Elizabeth’s actions toward Wickham, but Miss Bingley doesn’t know that Wickham tried to take advantage of Miss Darcy; instead of hurting Elizabeth, she hurts both Mr. and Miss Darcy and actually causes Mr. Darcy to have even more respect for Elizabeth because of the way in which she responds to Miss Bingley’s attack. Mr. Darcy is still very much in love with Lizzy when he says this, leading to a contradiction between his feelings and his claims to not have any. He says this partly to satisfy Miss Bingley who continues to attack her. Both characters long to discuss Darcy, but are scared to broach the subject for fear the other won’t want to discuss it. This is especially ironic because the audience is made aware of each characters desire to discuss the subject of Darcy.
“Elizabeth soon observed and instantly understood it. Her power was sinking; everything must sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. She could neither wonder nor condemn, but the belief of his selfconquest brought nothing consolatory to her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress. It was, on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him as now, when all love must be vain.” (Pg. 236) “Their other aunt also visited them frequently, and always, as she said, with the design of cheering and heartening them up; though, as she never came without reporting some fresh instance of Wickham’s extravagance or irregularity, she seldom went away without leaving them more dispirited than she found them. (Pg. 249) Mr. Collins discovered the news of Lydia’s elopement from his in-laws and proceeded to pass on the information to Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Situational
It is only at the moment that Elizabeth feels that it is useless to love Darcy that she realizes that she DOES love Darcy. This is ironic because had she loved him earlier on, everything would have turned out happy and fine.
Situational
Their aunt intends only to improve the moods of the girls, but mostly succeeds in depressing them more and more. The situation is out of touch with what is intended, thus causing irony.
Situational
Mr. Collins writes to the Bennets that he feels himself “called upon, by our relationship, and my
Situational
Collins could be expected to act with discretion over this trying experience, but instead spreads it to perhaps the most judgmental of all the characters. In a letter on “consolation,” it is hardly helpful to point out the “grievous” nature of the
situation in life, to condole with you on the grievous affliction you are now suffering under…” (Pg. 251) In Mr. Collins’ letter of consolation, he says that “no time can remove” the damage of Lydia’s actions on her family, that her death “would have been a blessing in comparison,” that their bad parenting is to blame, that she“must be naturally bad,” and that this will be “injurious to the fortunes of all the others.” (Pg. 251) Mr. Collins’ advice to Mr. Bennet is to “console yourself as much as possible, to throw off your unworthy child from your affection forever, and leave her to reap the fruits of her own heinous offence.” (Pg. 199) Mr. Bennet tells Elizabeth, “You may well warn me against such an evil. Human nature is so prone to fall into it. No, Lizzy, let me once in my life feel how much I have been to blame. I am not afraid of being overpowered by the impression. It will pass away soon enough.” (Pg. 253)
situation.
Situational
Again, in his letter of “condolence,” Collins uses language that expresses not empathy, but rather judgment and horror at his relation’s disgrace.
Situational
Collins earlier on talks of “Christian” charity and forgiveness. His sentiments now hardly match the definitions of forgiveness and mercy. Plus, he is a clergyman so is expected to be an example of such traits. Lizzy is trying to console Mr. Bennet, but Bennet declares that unlike previous situations, he wishes to take full blame, and be allowed to wallow in it essentially.
Verbal
