Beloved: Irony 1 key example

The irony of Sweet Home's name highlights the conflicting feelings that Sethe and Paul D have towards the place, as although they experienced immeasurable pain there, they also have good memories of their friendships there. The conflicting nature of Sweet Home is also enhanced by its deceptively beautiful appearance, such as the sycamores that Sethe recalls fondly, which hide the sinister reality of slavery on the plantation. The irony of the name is compounded by its relation to the phrase “Home, Sweet Home," which is typically used when returning home. In contrast, Sweet Home was Sethe's starting point for escape and she would rather kill her children and herself than return to it.

The irony of Sweet Home extends beyond its name and appearance. Throughout the story, Sethe and Paul D reflect on the difference between Sweet Home when it was controlled by Mr. Garner compared to Schoolteacher. At first, Schoolteacher’s arrival is portrayed as completely changing the dynamics of Sweet Home and inviting in cruelty. Ironically, the characters come to realize that the more things change, the more they stay the same. As characters think more deeply about their past at Sweet Home, they realize there was nothing "sweet" or better about the Garners, as they were still enslavers.