Keywords
irony
verbal irony
situational irony
dramatic irony
How to Cite
Abstract
Jane Austen’s fiction is distinguished by its nuanced and deliberate use of irony, which operates as a central mechanism for social criticism, character exploration, and thematic complexity. This paper examines the diverse manifestations of irony—including verbal, situational, and dramatic forms—in three of Austen’s key novels: Pride and Prejudice (1813), Emma (1815), and Persuasion (1817). Through detailed textual analysis, the study illustrates how irony reveals the tensions between outward appearances and underlying realities within Regency society, especially regarding marriage, class hierarchy, and gender roles
References
1.Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. 1813. Oxford World’s Classics, 2008.
2.Austen, Jane. Emma. 1815. Penguin Classics, 2003.
3.Austen, Jane. Persuasion. 1817. Oxford World’s Classics, 2004
4.Mudrick, Marvin. Jane Austen: Irony as Defense and Discovery. Princeton UP, 1952.
5.Harding, D.W. “Regulated Hatred: An Aspect of the Work of Jane Austen.” Scrutiny, vol. 8, 1940, pp. 346–62.
