Speaking in Tongues Irony

Speaking in Tongues Irony

The irony of unfaithfulness

The characters in this play find pleasure in cheating on their spouses. For instance, Sonja believes that the best way to counter her husband's infidelity is by sleeping with Pete. Ironically, tit-for-tat in this play does not bring the anticipated pleasure and revenge, but it brings discomfort and the destruction of the institution of marriage.

Jealousy fueled by sexuality.

Marriage is a holy union that brings two people of the opposite sex together to fulfill the purpose of creation. In this regard, the audience is keen on seeing how the couple safeguards their marriages to attain the ultimate goal of getting married. Ironically, the same couples destroy their unions by eyeing other people's wives and husbands. Therefore, the expectation of the audience is contradicted by the behavior of the characters.

The satire of matrimonial bonds

The expectations of the audience are contradicted when it realizes that marriage is not a bed of roses. Marital bonding is only attained when a couple remains faithful to each other. However, that is not the case in this play. The audience asks, 'Why is it too difficult for a couple to remain faithful to each other?' The answer is revealed when the audience realizes that there is no proper communication among the couples, which leads to betrayal and sexual infidelity.

The opinions on adultery about marriage

What surprises the viewers than anything else are the excuses given by the couples to engage in extramarital affairs. Pete is married to Jane, but he wants to have sex with Sonja, Leon's wife. The reason Pete gives to sleep with Sonja is that he wants more sex and feels something! What is this that Pete is not getting and feeling from his wife, but she gives it to Leon? According to viewers' conclusion, Sonja is not a better option because her husband has sex with Jane. After all, she is not giving him enough. Consequently, the extramarital affairs in this play are a riddle that has no solution because the characters have no good reason to be unfaithful.

Insecurity and deficiency

The conversation between Sonja and Jane is satirical because it is aimed at justifying their sexual immorality. For instance, Jane argues that she wants to feel if she is still attractive, which is why she gives herself to another man besides her husband. Sonja is also in agreement that it feels attractive to get a sideman to satisfy her sexually. The irony of this entire conversation is that they do not know that their cheating is intertwined. For instance, Leon, Sonja's husband, is sleeping with Jane, Leon's wife! Similarly, Sonja is sleeping with Jane's husband, and when the truth is revealed, the damage will be irreversible.

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