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Idioms
Definition of Irony
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition... read full definition
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this... read full definition
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how... read full definition
April Fools
Explanation and Analysis—Sikhs and Israelis:
In the first chapter, "April Fools," Stash and Vanden, Camden graduates and Evelyn's friends, visit for a dinner with Patrick and Timothy Price. The party discusses frivolous concerns from the social pages in the newspaper, including the daunting "Death of Downtown" article. This continues until Tim makes reference to the political situation in Sri Lanka in an attempt to steer the conversation to more erudite grounds. But, ironically, Tim doesn't know what he's talking about:
“Oh ho ho,” Tim says warningly. “That affects us? What about the massacres in Sri Lanka, honey? Doesn’t that affect us too? What about Sri Lanka?”
“Well, that’s a cool club in the Village.” Vanden shrugs. “Yeah, that affects us too.”
Suddenly Stash speaks without looking up. “That’s called The Tonka. [...] It’s called The Tonka, not Sri Lanka. Got it? The Tonka.”
Vanden looks down, then meekly says, “Oh.”
“I mean don’t you know anything about Sri Lanka? About how the Sikhs are killing like tons of Israelis there?” Timothy goads her. “Doesn’t that affect us?”
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Explanation and Analysis—Rich Man:
In the first chapter, "April Fools," Patrick and Price head to Evelyn's apartment; walking down the street, he whistles a musical-theater standard that seems wildly out of character:
Unlock with LitCharts A+It’s cold for April and Price walks briskly down the street toward Evelyn’s brownstone, whistling “If I Were a Rich Man,” the heat from his mouth creating smoky plumes of steam, and swinging his Tumi leather attaché case.
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Explanation and Analysis—Everyone:
After Price leaves the dinner party at the end of the first chapter, "April Fools," Patrick confronts his girlfriend Evelyn. Patrick is "fairly sure that Timothy and Evelyn are having an affair," but given Patrick's own infidelity, he does not seem especially disturbed about it. In fact, he thinks Price is "the only interesting person I know," and, ironically, tries to convince Evelyn to just go for him instead. But Evelyn rebuffs Patrick's statements by responding with a telling hyperbole:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Why don’t you just go for Price?”
“Oh god, Patrick,” she says, her eyes shut. “Why Price? Price?” And she says this in a way that makes me think she has had sex with him.
“He’s rich,” I say.
"Everybody’s rich,” she says, concentrating on the TV screen.
“He’s good-looking,” I tell her.
"Everybody’s good-looking, Patrick,” she says remotely.
“He has a great body,” I say.
“Everybody has a great body now,” she says.
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Morning
Explanation and Analysis—I Don't Smoke:
In "Morning," Patrick gives a long list of his apartment's garish, expensive decor. He describes his coffee table laden with fancy ashtrays—but, ironically, Patrick clarifies that he does not use them:
Unlock with LitCharts A+A glass-top coffee table with oak legs by Turchin sits in front of the sofa, with Steuben glass animals placed strategically around expensive crystal ashtrays from Fortunoff, though I don’t smoke.
Date
Explanation and Analysis—You Have Reservations?:
In the chapter "Date," Patrick goes out with a woman named Patricia Worrell. She wants the two of them to go see her friend's band, playing at Radio City Music Hall. But Patrick hates live music and insists that they get dinner at Dorsia, the hottest new restaurant in the city, instead. Here is their conversation, over the phone, about Dorsia, full of dramatic irony:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Dorsia?” she asks and then, suspiciously, “You have reservations there? I mean for us?”
“Yes,” I say. “Eight-thirty.”
“Well …” She emits a little laugh and then, faltering, “It was … well, what I mean is, I’ve seen them. I just wanted you to see them.”
“Listen. What are you doing?” I ask. “If you’re not coming I have to call someone else. Do you have Emily Hamilton’s number?”
End of the 1980s
Explanation and Analysis—Reason To Be Sad:
In the chapter "End of the 1980s," Patrick goes out to brunch with Jean at Nowheres. Patrick appears weak and morose, and Jean tries to get him to smile. But she still knows nothing of his murders or his run-ins with the law, which makes the scene an instance of dramatic irony:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Come on, smile,” she urges sometime later. “You have no reason to be so sad.”
“I know,” I sigh, relenting. “But it’s … tough to smile. These days. At least I find it hard to. I’m not used to it, I guess. I don’t know.”
“That’s … why people need each other,” she says gently, trying to make eye contact while spooning the not inexpensive sorbet into her mouth.
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