The Irony of Servitude
There is a close link between Florence and her servants. Her manipulative personality compels them to do just as she pleases without enquiring into her schemes and designs. She is, however, utterly incapable of developing any kind of attachment or nurturing any feelings of gratitude. For this reason, she takes no body into her confidence, and being far smarter than all her acquaintances, proceeds with her plans unaided. Thus, when her maid had attempted to assist her and had failed in the process, Florence reprimanded her with the following sarcastic formula, “I congratulate you, Parker, on always doing as much harm as you can whenever you take anything in hand.”
The Irony of Matrimonial Life
“Dear Richard…all that I do is for your sake” Thus speaks Florence addressing her husband, and thus she fools him again and again all throughout their married life. Florence married the General for his money and position. While she pretends that all she does is for his sake, the truth is very different, for all her actions and acts are prompted by ambition and self-preservation.
The Irony of Lies
“He is the most confirmed liar I ever met” This is Hubert’s description and judgment of another man. According to him, that manager was a confirmed liar. The very words are ironical when issuing from his lips, for Hubert himself is a liar. He lied to his cousins, to the public, and even to the woman he loved. Accordingly, it is very ironical that he should call another man a liar when he, himself, does nothing but accumulate more and more lies as time goes on.
The Irony of Feelings
During her last moments, Sabina’s mother confessed the secret of her little son to Enid. The outcome was a scene involving the dying woman and the rector in addition to Enid and Sabina herself. When they all departed, the latter fainted and it was said that she did so out of her overflowing love towards her mother. The women, present there, exclaimed, “You wouldn’t ha’ thought she had so much feeling in her” which is very ironical considering the fact that she had attempted to silence the dying woman with no regard to her state moments before she died.
The Irony of Hypocrisy
“It was a comedy in dumb show” This was the way with which Hubert regarded the concert at which Cynthia had sung for the first time. This scene reflects the absurd hypocrisy which reigned in society. Ironically, everyone was aware of it and yet everyone had chosen to ignore it.
