Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony is shown through the birth of Queenie and Michael's baby. Throughout the novel the reader knows that the father of the baby is Hortense's cousin, Michael Roberts, unlike Hortense who is oblivious to it and has never found out.
Comic Irony
Comic irony is frequently presented through the characters of Gilbert and Hortense. Examples include Hortense's obliviousness of her husband's efforts in making her feel comfortable in the Mother Country which creates humor throughout the novel.
Verbal Irony
Verbal irony is frequently used by Gilbert; his action of "waking away" [chapter 51] is ironic as he stays with her and comforts her.
Situational Irony
Situational irony in the novel include the example of Hortense's dream of ringing the door bell of her own home in the MotherCountry. This imagery creates a situational irony as she is ignorant to the true function of a door bell.
Structural Irony
The structure used in Bernard's narration after the war is defined and sturdy which gives the reader a sense of order and lack of emotion; this however is ironic, as Bernard was experiencing an emotional turmoil due to the death of his friend and the distance relationship with his wife Queenie.
