Oops, how awkward
When Gerald tells Lord Illingworth about his family, he claims that his father, who did not marry Gerald’s mother, is “an irresponsible person”. This situation seems ironic, because Lord Illingworth is Gerald’s father and now he must hear out the bitter truth about himself.
Women’s talk is also nasty
Mrs. Allonby is surprised that the men are staying so long after dinner. She expects “they are saying the most dreadful things” about Mrs. Allonby and other women. It is ironic, because these women also discuss men, but they do not realize that it is also disgusting.
Like a child
Lady Caroline constantly tells her husband what to do. She makes Sir John “wear a knitted scarf,” because it is cold. Then she makes him “put on his overshoes, because the grass is too damp for him.” Then she makes him sit under shade, because the sun is very bright. The irony is that Lady Caroline treats her husband as treats a child although Sir John is already an adult man.