Question

Irony is the expression of meaning through the use of language signifying the opposite. Describe the use of irony in ‘The Luncheon’. Pick the sentences from the story that are examples of irony. Fill in the table ‘A’ the general direct meaning while in table ‘B’ its hidden meaning or the opposite meaning intended by the speaker. One is done for you.

Sentence	Direct meaning	Hidden meaning
If I cut out coffee for the next two days,	to stop drinking coffee	to stop spending money in order to save money for some purpose.

Answer 1

sentence	Direct Meaning	Irony
(1) I never eat more than one thing	1. I am careful and do not eat much; I eat only one thing.	1. She goes on to eat six expensive items during the luncheon.
(2) I don't believe in overloading my stomach.	2. I do not eat much but in limited quantities.	2. She has a hearty and expensive meal.
(3) If you insist, I don't mind having some asparagus.	3. I am eating asparagus because you are forcing me to.	3. The writer had certainly not insisted: she had asked for it.
(4) I'm not in the least hungry.	4. I am not at all hungry and cannot eat anything	4. She thrusts the asparagus down her throat in large mouthfuls.
(5) One thing I thoroughly believe in-one should get up from a meal feeling one could eat a little more.	5. One should always leave space in the stomach for more food.	5. She has had a hearty meal and was probably very full.
(6) I have a cup of coffee in the morning and then dinner, but I never eat more than one thing for luncheon. I've just had a snack.	6. I am a very light eater; I hardly eat anything during the day.	6. She has had six things for luncheon.
(7) You've filled your stomach with a lot of meat.	7. You have eaten a lot.	7. The writer had just one little miserable mutton chop.
(8) I'll eat nothing for dinner tonight	8. Won't have anything for dinner tonight.	8. The writer had no money left.