Irony in literature refers to expression of something other than its meaning. It can also refer to a given technique of indicating, through plot development or characterisation, a given attitude or intention which is expressed in an opposite manner of what is actually stated.
Say Yes
Irony in this story is expressed in many ways. First of all, it is ironical how the man and the woman lived a life like husband and wife, but was not married (Wolff 24). They lived a hypocritical life, while still pondering whether to become husband and wife. In addition, it is ironical for the man behaving the way he behaved towards his woman, whereas he mistreated him (Wolff 25). The man commented that he would not have married the lady if she was black, but even though, they were white, still a cultural difference seemed to a problem between them. It is ironical how the husband said he loved the woman whereas he was contemplating at one point not to marry her (Wolff 26).
The Mission Person
This story is full of irony. It is a story revolving around Father Leo. It is ironical how in the story the father had loved a woman, yet dismissed it and later joined priesthood (Wolff 32). In addition, his so to become woman later married another man 2 months later after breaking up with father Leo. In the Coventry, he expected to work with a person with loved his work, bit that was not the case after he discovered after his death how his senior hated him (Wolff 33). It is also ironical that the monsignor, who came after the death of the previous priest, was a pretender. He was a smoker, something which is not allowed in the parish. In addition, at Mother Vincent’s, the nuns had taken the path of the rest of the society instead of serving God (Wolff 35). Some of the nuns had run away or even got married. Hence, the story is a representation of the irony in the church.
Works Cited
Wolff, Tobias. The Stories of Tobias Wolff. New York: Pan Macmillan, 1988. Print.
