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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
Part 2, Chapter 17
Explanation and Analysis—The Collector :
The Collector of Chandrapore (Mr. Turton) is a great example of a character whom Forster portrays in a satirical manner, as is evident in Part 2 Chapter 17:
The Collector could not speak at first. His face was white, fanatical, and rather beautiful—the expression that all English faces were to wear at Chandrapore for many days. Always brave and unselfish, he was now fused by some white and generous heat; he would have killed himself, obviously, if he had thought it right to do so. He spoke at last. “The worst thing in my whole career has happened,” he said. “Miss Quested has been insulted in one of the Marabar caves.”
Forster employs satire with sarcasm, irony, and exaggeration in order to show how silly Mr. Turton is. The main satirical tool in this passage is verbal irony; Turton obviously would not have killed himself if he had thought it right to do so. He thinks too highly of himself to take his own life. He also speaks in an exaggerated manner of "the worst thing in my whole career" while using a euphemism to describe a possible rape as an "insult." Nor is he beautiful (though perhaps he believes he is so compared to other races).
Turton is a chief British official who governs Chandrapore. Having been in India for a couple of decades, he is very set in his ways. He feels hatred toward most Indians, and Forster clearly disapproves of people like him. These disparities between Turton's words and the story's reality make him seem ridiculous. Forster often used satire to ridicule the British officials; here, he sends the message that Mr. Turton is not a character to be admired. The subsequent conversation between him and Fielding brings Turton's negative characterization into even greater relief and supports Forster's use of satire in the beginning of this chapter.
Related Themes:
