Irony in “A Work of Art”
Verbal Irony
The Doctor’s thoughts about the artwork are ironical. The doctor insists that his lawyer friend should take the work of art failure to which he will be offended. The doctor is ironic because he took the work of art reluctantly because Sasha insisted that the doctor must keep it.
Dramatic Irony
The comedian’s rejection of the work of art is ironical. Ordinarily, the work of art would have been instrumental in helping the comedian in the course of his job; as it would make the audiences laugh; which is the key objective in comedy.
Irony in “Rothschild’s Fiddle”
Marfa’s face
When Marfa falls ill, her face becomes “unusually bright and Joyful” which is quite ironic because, prior to getting ill, “Bronze (was) accustomed to seeing her face always pale, timid and unhappy-looking, was bewildered.” The face of a skin person is expected to depict unhappiness whereas the face of a healthy person is usually lively. Marfa’s facial expressions are contradictory to her health status before and after she gets sick.
