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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
Verbal Irony
Explanation and Analysis—Diana:
When detailing the various ways that Mrs. Packletide flaunts her newfound status as a skilled huntress once back in London, Saki includes an allusion to Greek mythology, as seen in the following passage:
From Curzon Street the tiger-skin rug travelled down to the Manor House, and was duly inspected and admired by the county, and it seemed a fitting and appropriate thing when Mrs Packletide went to the County Costume Ball in the character of Diana.
When Saki writes that Mrs. Packletide “went to the County Costume Ball in the character of Diana,” he is referencing the Greek goddess Diana, patroness of the countryside, the moon, and—most importantly—the hunt. In dressing up as Diana, Mrs. Packletide is encouraging those in her upper-class social circle to view her as not only a skilled hunter but also a divine being. This choice exemplifies Mrs. Packletide’s vanity as well as her drive to make the other women in her elite circles jealous of her.
The statement that “it seemed a fitting and appropriate thing” for Mrs. Packletide to dress up as Diana is an example of verbal irony. This is because, as readers know, Mrs. Packletide did not actually shoot the tiger the way a true hunter would and is merely pretending to have done so for social clout.
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