Sure Thing

Sure Thing Irony

"Labels are not important." (Situational Irony)

The thesis “labels are not important” is ironic because it is the opposite of what is demonstrated in the scene—and, in fact, in the entire play. The scene shows that labels are important, because Bill can’t make headway with Betty with a poor GPA or being from an economically depressed Midwestern city. Labels, it is implied, are used to assess economic prospects.

“A man is what he is.” (Situational Irony)

The phrase “A man is what he is” is ironic when spoken by Bill, because it describes human nature as essential—the exact opposite of what is demonstrated by Bill’s ever-changing character.

"I'll bet you're a scorpio." (Situational Irony)

When Betty says this in reply to Bill’s statement “You just can’t hang a sign on a person” it is ironic because judging Bill by his astrological sign is precisely hanging a sign on a person.

"Sure thing" (Verbal and Situational Irony)

“Sure Thing” is an ironic phrase because Bill and Betty endure many failures in parallel lives throughout the play, and thus, on a meta level, are not at all a sure thing.