Comb the County With Toothbrushes (Verbal Irony)
At the beginning of the novel, Bridget arrives late to the Alconburys' Turkey Curry Buffet. When she gets to the house, her father casually expresses his satisfaction with her arrival, adding, "Your mother has the entire Northamptonshire constabulary poised to comb the county with toothbrushes for your dismembered remains." In this instance of verbal irony, Bridget's father showcases his brand of humor by pretending that Bridget's mother was so distraught by Bridget's absence that she was ready to send the police on a mission to search the countryside for Bridget's corpse, as though the most reasonable explanation for Bridget's lateness would be murder.
Bridget Must Look After Her Parents (Situational Irony)
Early in the novel, Bridget's parents separate so Pam can pursue other men. Bridget becomes her father's main confidant and must field phone calls late at night from him as he sobs. Reflecting on this new development in her life, Bridget comments: "I suddenly realize everything has shifted and now I am looking after my parents instead of them looking after me, which seems unnatural and wrong. Surely I am not that old?" In this instance of situational irony, Bridget laments that the natural roles of parent and child have reversed; now Bridget is burdened with attending to her parents' well-being rather than having her well-being attended to by them.
Mark Featured in Tatler (Situational Irony)
After her breakup with Daniel, Bridget wallows in self-pity. Although she is initially excited to pick up the new issue of a magazine called Tatler, Bridget is annoyed to see "Mark Darcy's face smoldering out from a feature on London's fifty most eligible bachelors." In this instance of situational irony, a man Bridget believed was a dud because he wore a sweater vest and patterned socks when she met him turns out to be a wealthy lawyer whose appeal is so strong that a London magazine calls him one of the most desirable single men in the city.
Mark Loves Bridget (Situational Irony)
At the end of the novel, Julio suddenly arrives at the Alconburys' and accuses Bridget's father of stealing back Pam. Mark arrives soon after, having chased Julio with the police, who are standing by to arrest Julio. Mark then takes Bridget to dinner and explains he hasn't been in touch with her because he wanted to track down Julio and see him brought to justice; he wanted to impress Bridget and help her parents out of the unpleasant situation because he is in love with Bridget. In this instance of situational irony, Bridget's belief that Mark isn't interested in her is undermined by the revelation that he has been going to great lengths to impress her and assist her family.
