Verbal irony: Naming of Hunches
The naming of the hunches is ironic because it seems to reflect the activities or moods of the narrator. For example, when the boy wants to play outside, he names it the Happy Hunch. When he has a hunch that tells him to stay indoors and finish his work off, he names it the Homework Hunch. It is indeed comical that he names the hunches according to his feelings towards them.
Dramatic irony: Inability to make up your mind
The Hunches are indeed ironic in themselves because many readers can relate to these hunches. The hunches all have their own agenda and try to distract from each other by competing with which ever one sounds more tempting. Indeed, this is much like life and its own distractions.
Verbal Irony: Super Hunch
Towards the end, a Super Hunch turns up and tells the boy "Only you can make your mind up!" This, of course, is ironic because after letting the hunches guide him and make decisions for him, it is now up to the boy himself to make his own mind up. Indeed, taking control of the hunches is a reference to individuals taking control over their own lives.
Dramatic irony: the Hungry Hunch
The young boy is confronted by the Hungry Hunch when it tries to convince him to eat. It is ironic because older readers will know that the Hunch is just his stomach telling him it's time to eat.
