The thoughts of the bachelor
The novel focuses on the daydreams of the bachelor seated next to the fireplace. The bachelor is not ready to love or marry because he assumes that he cannot love a woman enough. Satirically, the bachelor is consumed with matrimonial thoughts, while he hints that marriage is not his portion in life.
The irony of the fireplace
The bachelor is daydreaming while seated beside the fireplace. The bachelor's daydreams are focused on women and their youthful days. The tossing of sea-coal flame represents a beautiful woman who is in love with the bachelor. During this daydreaming, the bachelor reflects on his heart experiences, and he decides to allow himself to love. However, it is ironic that he changes his mind towards the end of the dream because he wants to embrace his bachelorhood.
The satire of Caroline’s love
In his fourth daydream, the bachelor is with Caroline, a woman he falls in love with. The bachelor marries Caroline, and they start a marital life together. However, marriage is not smooth as it is supposed to be, but he learns to appreciate his union. Sardonically, upon realizing it was just a dream, the bachelor sticks to his initial instincts of remaining single for the rest of his life.
The irony of the book 'Reveries of a Bachelor: Or, A Book of the Heart.'
The reader is not surprised to learn that the book Reveries of a Bachelor: Or, a Book of the Heart is outdated in the contemporary world. Ironically, the reader is still fascinated and attracted to continue reading the book because of its poetic appeal. Consequently, after reading the book, the reader gets a refreshing experience.
The irony of life
The reader asks the question, 'What is the purpose of life if it is filled with unavoidable hope?' The bachelor discussed in this book is a hopeless man who hates marriage because he assumes that he cannot love a woman how it is supposed to be. However, in his fourth daydream, he sees himself married to Caroline, and life is full of challenges and hopelessness. Therefore, it is ironic for the bachelor to think that life is supposed to be a pleasure without challenges, especially in marriage.
