Jenny Wren's "Child"
Jenny Wren often refers to her alcoholic father as her "bad child" and tries to scold and discipline him as if he were a child. This bleak irony highlights how in Jenny's life the roles of parent and child have been reversed; even though she is very young, she has to assume adult responsibilities. She not only has to handle duties like maintaining a business, but she also has extra work in the form of caring for her father. There is additional irony in that her father, by behaving like a child, makes it less likely that Jenny will ever be able to marry and have a family of her own: her father's bad behavior damages her reputation, and in the Victorian era, it was feared that alcoholism could be hereditary so many men would be hesitant to risk having this problem passed on to their children.
Lizzie's Skill as a Boatwoman
Because she needs to help her father earn a living, Lizzie grows up as a skilled boatwoman, even though at this time, this type of activity would be considered highly unsuitable for a young woman. This type of life experience is part of the reason why Lizzie believes she is not good enough for Wrayburn to marry: she assumes he would want a more delicate, genteel, and feminine woman as his wife. Ironically, when Wrayburn is thrown in the river after being attacked, Lizzie is able to save him because she is skilled, strong, and competent. If she had been closer to the typical feminine ideal, she would not have had the strength or ability to save her beloved.
Bella's Love of Money
For much of the novel, Bella is open about her obsession with marrying a wealthy man, and describes herself as greedy and materialistic. Ironically, however, she becomes disgusted when she observes Boffin behaving in a greedy and miserly fashion. Despite what she says about herself, Bella does not actually approve of people genuinely prioritizing wealth over the people they care about. Ironically, when she has claimed to be greedy and selfish herself, Bella is the one person who is brave enough to chastise Boffin for his bad behavior.
The Marriage of the Lammles
Before they marry, the Lammles each believe they are cleverly deceiving the other in pursuit of a fortune. Only after the wedding do they realize that, ironically, neither of them has any money and that they are equally greedy and scheming. They are now punished for their plotting by being stuck with each other, and forced to conspire to entrap others.
