Opening on a Note of Irony
The novel’s opening line sets the stage for the prevalence of its ironic tone:
“It was one of those Septembers when it seemed that the summer would never end.”
This is ironic symbolically because it is suggestive of a mood of optimism which is inevitably doomed to disappointment and that foreshadows the tragic ending of Bond’s love affair with Tracy. It is also ironic on a literal level because most of the Bond-style action sequences in the story take place high on snowy mountains in the Alps, far away from any signs of summer.
Tragically Ironic Ending
The novel also ends on an ironic note. Not just plain simple irony, but tragic irony. In fact, the novel end on one of the most tragic notes of irony in the history of spy thrillers with Bond holding his brand-new bride’s dead body tight in his embrace as he whispers, “we’ve got all the time in the world.”
Tracy at the Wheel
Tracy is behind the wheel of the Mercedes “going like hell” to the point that she is driving “on her brakes and her horn.” Bond—the superspy not exactly know for careful driving—turns to her, calls her an angel and then suggests that perhaps she might take things a bit easier since they “don’t want to end up in the ditch.” Three levels of irony exist here. Once, Bond being such a nervous Nellie. But that is mere comedy. The other two levels are more profoundly ironic as their love affair comes to a speedy violent end as another car speeding wildly pulls alongside and blast bullets into their vehicle, causing them to crash and Tracy to die.
Irma Bunt
Irma Bunt is Blofeld’s very unpleasant and rather Nazi-like assistant in the brainwashing plan of his nefarious plot. She is unappealing both physically and from a personality perspective; dour, with stony eyes, a square jaw and her hair tied in a bun. Bond seems to particularly enjoy the irony connected with the research he has done into the meaning of her surname:
“Bunt, it seems, is Germany for `gay,’ `happy.’”
A "Bond" Girl in Every Sense
Almost one of the first things that Contessa Teresa "Tracy" di Vicenzo says to James Bond, just before he indulges her wishes, is “Treat me like the lowest whore in creation.” Under normal circumstances, no irony at could be found in a “Bond girl” talking to 007 like this. By the end of the book that particular bed partner has literally become a “Bond” girl: Mrs. James Bond. Surely, one hopes there is some irony here. If not, then it must be admitted that Bond is even more reprehensibly misogynistic than usually granted.
