English

Irony Refers to the Use of Words to Convey a Meaning that is the Opposite of Their Literal Meaning. Working in Pairs Bring Out the Irony in the Following:

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Question

Irony refers to the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of their literal meaning. Working in pairs bring out the irony in the following:
(a) The title of the story, “The Best Seller”.
(b) Pescud’s claim, “When people in real life marry, they generally hunt up somebody in their own station. A fellow usually picks out a girl who went to the same high school and belonged to the same singing-society that he did.”
(c) The name Trevelyan.

Answer in Brief
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Solution

  1. Ram: The title of the story, “The Best Seller” is ironical.
    Sita: That it is. Irony refers to the use of words to convey a meaning that is opposite to their literal meaning.
    Ram: John A. Pescud doesn’t like ‘best-sellers’ like “The Rose Lady and Trevelyan.”
    Sita: He thinks that they present a highly unreal, exaggerated and romantic version of life.
    Ram: But he himself is the “Best Seller”.
    Sita: After all, he is a travelling salesman. He knows all the tricks and arts of selling.
    Ram: And he sells such an incredible story.
    Sita: He criticises Trevelyan but imitates his real life.
    Ram: He is another Trevelyan hunting for petunias for his princess Jessie Allyn.
  2. Ram: Don’t you feel John A. Pescud is a hypocrite.
    Sita: Without any doubt, he is.
    Ram: Pescud claims “When people in real life marry, they generally hunt up somebody in their own station.”
    Sita: He thinks that “A fellow usually picks out a girl who went to the same high school and belonged to the same singing society that he did.”
    Ram: What John A. Pescud claims, he does just the opposite.
    Sita: This is what irony is. He criticises best¬sellers.’ They present a highly unreal, exaggerated and romantic version of life.
    Ram: But John doesn’t marry a sales girl. He falls in love with the “finest looking girl, a descendant of belted earls. She was the owner of a grand mansion as big as the Capitol at Washington
  3. Ram: In the end, the narrator wishes good luck to John, calling him Trevelyan.
    Sita: The address is ironical.
    Ram: Trevelyan falls in love with a royal Princess from Europe. He follows her to her father’s kingdom or principality.
    Sita: And John A. Pescud does exactly the same.
    Ram: John criticises the hero of “The Rose and Trevelyan” but imitates him.
    Sita: He doesn’t run after a sales girl but after the finest girl, a descendant of belted earls.
    Ram: And this modem Trevelyan hunts petunias for her princess Jessie Allyn in Coketown.
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Chapter 1.5: Best Seller - Exercise [Page 52]

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CBSE English Literature Reader [English] Class 9
Chapter 1.5 Best Seller
Exercise | Q 5 | Page 52

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