Irony # 21

Does the story anywhere utilize irony of situation? Dramatic Irony? Verbal irony? What functions do the ironies serve?

The book incorporates all of the ironies in different situations in the story. Throughout the novel Marilla has a dry sense of humor, so she constantly makes sarcastic remarks about Anne’s thoughts. Most of the time Anne doesn’t pick it up, and Marilla’s disapproval is overlooked. The irony highlighted a specific characteristic of Marilla’s personality. She is different from the other women in Avonlea because she is witty but disguises her insults under a mask of sarcasm.
In Anne’s first encounter with Gilbert Blythe, she decides to forever hate him, and refuses to acknowledge his existence. Throughout their child hood he constantly tries to win back Anne’s attention, without success. Although Anne claims to hate him it is evident to the reader that she enjoys the attention from him, and even harbors secret affections, though unknown to her. The feelings she has for him are hidden behind her stubborn hatred until the incident at the Barry’s Pond, where he finally decides to give up trying to become friends. His coldness deepens the regret she feels for not forgiving him. This proves to be the last lesson Anne learns in the book. Her decision to apologize to Gilbert, means that she able to look back and notice her faults and acknowledge that she has been wrong. Since she is very stubborn, it proves to be the most difficult problem she has to overcome.
The irony of situation is the most dominant irony because it directly relates to the theme of the book.. When she arrives at Green Gables, Marilla is reluctant to keep her, saying that she doesn’t need any company or help around the house. As Anne becomes settled however, Marilla notices the change of atmosphere around the house. When Anne leaves for Queens College, Marilla refers to the house as being "empty". She also feels lonely and weep bitter tears at the absence of Anne, "At that moment Marilla has a revelation. In the sudden stab of fear that pierced to her very heart she realized what Anne has come to mean to her,"(pg 212). She felt that her fondness for Anne was unholy, and therefore hid it behind her crisp reputation. It was when she and Anne mourned together over the death of Matthew that she revealed her love for Anne.
From the time Anne came to Green Gables, Matthew and Marilla had opposing opinions on Anne’s character. Marilla’s assumption that Anne would only cause them trouble was proved wrong not long into the book, and it is Matthew’s quiet gloating, that makes it situational irony.