Situational Irony that Alda Claims her people are physically more capable than the Romans
It is ironical that Alda claimed that her people are of loftier stature, and had more robust frames than the Romans and of better moral character yet they had been defeated by the Romans in war which was a show of physical strength. It is derived that the Romans had won the war because they had better physical strength than the Britons.
Irony of Lelia’s character
It is a situational irony that the narrator claims that Marcus Lelius had brought up his daughter well with all the love and kindness in his heart yet she had turned out cruel to others. Lelia was very unkind to the slaves that were put under her. The readers would have expected that she have the characteristics and values that she had been brought up in.
Irony of the other slaves' mistreatment of Alda
It ironical that the slaves that were put under the care of Lelia were unkind and mean to each other instead of supporting each other in their misfortune. They were welcoming to their unkind mistress Lelia and were mean to Alda who was a slave like them. One would have expected that they be united and care for each other since they were all suffering the same fate.
Irony of Alda’s coldness to Susanna
Alda’s actions of being unkind and insulting to Susanna are very ironical for Susanna was the only one who was kind her. The other slaves been unwelcoming her and teased her. Susanna was the only slave who showed her kindness for she offered to stay with Alda in a deserted room after the others refused to share their living quarters with Alda. The readers would have expected Alda to be appreciative of Susanna’s kindness.
Irony that Susanna’s Uncle sold her into slavery
It is ironical that Susanna’s uncle sold her into slavery after her father died. Susanna was engaged to her uncle’s son Azor. The readers would have expected her uncle to show compassion since Susanna had just lost her only parent instead of increasing her grief by selling her into slavery in Rome.
