INTRODUCTION
Rationale
Irony, originating from the ancient Greek term εἰρωνεία (eirōneía), signifies dissimulation As a rhetorical device, it highlights the contrast between an author's intended meaning and the actual words expressed.
Irony is a powerful rhetorical device in literature, often more effective than direct statements as it fosters a private joke between the author and readers It encourages critical thinking and deeper analysis of situations by contrasting appearances with reality, leading to a clearer understanding of the author's intent A notable example can be found in "Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography," where the use of irony enhances the narrative.
Today was an exceptionally cold and harsh day, reminiscent of a cup of hot chocolate tainted with vinegar and chilled in the refrigerator for hours.
As can be seen from the above sentence, Snicket makes an enjoyable ironic statement by creating a structure that is more complex than what a reader may usually expect
Irony is a significant topic in pragmatics, attracting the attention of numerous linguists, including Grice, Amante, Kaufer, Muecke, Brown and Levinson, and Hutcheon Despite extensive study, irony continues to captivate and challenge scholars, as noted by Balconi and Amenta, who emphasize its enduring complexity.
“Although frequent in our everyday conversations, irony remains a complex communicative and pragmatic phenomenon whose correct decoding requires specific linguistic, communicative and cognitive abilities.”
Understanding irony in daily communication and literature is challenging due to various factors, including individual tastes, perspectives, habits, and education These elements influence how irony is perceived, whether positively or negatively.
Inspired by the complexity of irony in literature, this thesis explores the use of ironic expressions in fiction, particularly in the works of W.S Maugham, a renowned English writer known for his narrative skill, simple style, and ironic perspective The writer was captivated by Maugham's collection of short stories, especially his vivid and specific portrayal of female characters.
All of these inspire the study: “A Study On Irony Related To Female
Characters In Some Short Stories By W.S Maugham”
Aims of the study
The main aims of the research are as follows:
- To identify different ironic expressions used in the development of female characters in some short stories by W.S Maugham
- To realize the role and contribution of these ironic expressions to the development of female characters in the selected stories
- To propose an insight into Maugham’s use of irony
In order to achieve the above aims, the study is conducted to find out the answer to the following research questions:
1 What are the ironic expressions used in the development of female characters in some short stories by W.S Maugham?
2 What are the pragmatic functions of these ironic expressions?
3 What are the features of Maugham’s use of irony displayed through the selected short stories?
Scope of the study
This study analyzes the use of ironic expressions in select short stories by W.S Maugham, highlighting their pragmatic functions By identifying these ironic elements, the research aims to provide a deeper understanding of Maugham's unique employment of irony in his storytelling.
Significance of the study
Theoretical significance: This study is expected to verifying the correctness and significance related to pragmatictic theories of irony by working on some fiction works
Practical significance: This thesis helps gaining an insight into the use of ironic expressions in some short stories by W.S Maugham.
Design of the study
The study consists of three main parts:
This section outlines the study's rationale, objectives, research questions, significance, and scope, along with the employed research methodology.
This is the most important part of the study which consists of the following contents: Review of theory and related literature, Data collection and analysis, and Findings and discussion
In conclusion, this article summarizes the key findings of the study, highlights its limitations, discusses the implications for language teaching and learning, and offers suggestions for future research.
DEVELOPMENT
METHODOLOGY
This study employs a qualitative research design, focusing on words and phrases as the primary data source, in contrast to the two main types of research design: qualitative and quantitative.
Qualitative research focuses on the subjective experiences of individuals, providing insights into social, emotional, and experiential phenomena (Ospina, 2004) Its primary goal is to uncover understandings and perceptions, explore cultural settings, and analyze the connections between processes and outcomes As noted by Patton (2002), qualitative research methods yield descriptive data in the form of words rather than numerical values, enabling a deeper understanding of various aspects of social life.
The advantages and disadvantages of qualitative research:
Qualitative research offers researchers the flexibility to explore new ideas without a rigid design plan, allowing for creative development throughout the study This approach yields detailed and rich information through comprehensive writings, enhancing the depth of understanding Additionally, qualitative research emphasizes context and social meaning, making it especially valuable in the social sciences.
Qualitative research has inherent drawbacks, primarily due to the researcher's deep involvement in the process, which can introduce subjectivity into the study and its subjects Additionally, the researcher's personal biases may influence their interpretation, potentially skewing the data collected.
As the research is aimed to investigate the ironic expressions used to describe female characters in W.S.Maugham’s short stories, the data is collected from the five short stories:
- The Three Fat Women of Antibes (1936)
- Step 1: In order to complete the research, it is believed that reading the selected short stories is the very first step Therefore, the writer first reads the stories carefully
- Step 2: The writer focuses on the way Maugham described the female characters as well as the dialogues between them and other characters in the stories
To identify the ironic expressions in the stories, the writer utilizes contemporary rhetorical theories that categorize irony into three distinct types: verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony (Cuddon, 1998, pp 427-432; Colebrook, 2004, p 13).
After identify the ironic expressions in the selected stories, the writer applies the theory of speech acts proposed by Searle (1969) to analyze the expressions
- Step 1: Explain why the expressions are ironic
- Step 2: Classify the ironic expressions into declarations, representatives, expressives, directives and commissives
- Step 3: Analyze the illocution intention of the expressions towards other characters in the stories and the readers as well
- Step 4: Synthesize the result of Step 3 to draw the contribution of ironic expressions in the development of the female characters in the stories
Step 5: Draw the conclusion Maugham’s use of irony
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
This chapter is concerned with the data collected from five Maugham’s short stories, and the analysis of the ironic expressions is also included
After employing the modern theories of rhetoric to identify and categorize the ironic expressions, in five selected short stories, the writer collects 33 ironic expressions altogether
Story Verbal Irony Dramatic Irony Situational
Table 2 – Number of ironic expressions in the selected short stories
3.2 Data analysis a “The Three Fat Women of Antibes” (1936)
In a picturesque house in Antibes, three wealthy middle-aged women—Beatrice, Frank, and Arrow—embark on a weight loss journey together, supporting each other through their diets while enjoying their friendship Seeking a fourth player for bridge, Frank invites her recently widowed cousin, Lena, who has never struggled with weight and indulges in rich foods and wine Lena's carefree approach to eating and her success at bridge create tension among the trio, leading to conflicts as they grapple with their weight loss goals.
There are five verbal ironic expressions in the story
In the portrayal of Mrs Richman, the narrator uses the adjective "content" to satirically suggest that her substantial fortune serves as a compensation for the profound sorrow typically associated with widowhood While widows are often described with adjectives like sad, alone, and lost, Mrs Richman's situation contrasts this narrative, highlighting how wealth can alter one's emotional landscape in the face of loss.
Example 2: “It was increasingly difficult to find dresses to make her look as she liked to look ”
She wore a stunning silk wrap, clutching it tightly around her neck with one hand to create a slimmer appearance, while maintaining an elevated posture to conceal her double chin.
Mrs Sutcliffe, a woman who had divorced two husbands, ironically bore a first name that contrasted with her large figure The narrator employs a satirical tone to mock her desperate efforts to appear slimmer, highlighting the humor in her situation.
Example 4: “But when she turned away from the departing train, she heaved such a vast sigh of relief that the platform shook beneath her ”
Miss Hickson invited her cousin Lena to stay with her and the other three women for a fortnight, hoping to fill the fourth spot for their bridge games However, Lena's hearty meals and skill at bridge sparked tension among the women, ultimately straining their friendship The narrator humorously highlights Miss Hickson's sense of relief as she bids farewell to Lena at the railway station.
Example 5: “I can‟t help think that if she really cared for her husband, she would hardly eat so much ”
After dining with Lena, the three overweight women felt envious and resentful, as Lena enjoyed her meals freely while they adhered to restrictive diets Mrs Sutcliffe cleverly employed irony to satirize Lena's eating habits.
There are two situational ironic expressions in the story as follows:
At the story's outset, three overweight women were portrayed as inseparable friends who exercised, dined together, and even shared a home in Antibes to maintain their fitness and strict diets Their strong bond seemed unbreakable until Lena Finch entered the scene Unlike her friends, Lena had never struggled with weight, indulging in foods like bread, potatoes, cream, and butter Her carefree eating habits and skill in bridge ultimately strained the friendship among the three women.
In the beginning of the story, the three determined women embark on a weight loss journey, renting a house in Antibes to engage in regular exercise while adhering to strict diets, even as Lena enjoys nourishing meals However, as the narrative unfolds, Lena's visit challenges their commitment, leading the trio to abandon their diets and share a hearty meal together, prioritizing friendship over weight concerns.
Roger, a tall and handsome middle-aged man of considerable wealth, was sought after by many women hoping to marry him However, he preferred the freedom of an unmarried life until he encountered someone who changed his perspective.
Ruth, a stunning woman, aspired to marry Roger, who initially proposed to her However, he unexpectedly fell out of love and sought to avoid the marriage without directly asking Ruth to release him from his promise.
There are only four verbal ironic expressions in the story “The Escape”
Example 1: “Mrs Ruth Barlow, for she was twice a widow, had splendid dark eyes and they were the most moving I ever saw.”
The narrator highlights the beauty and depth of Mrs Barlow's eyes, emphasizing their splendor and emotional resonance, particularly noting that she is "twice a widow." This detail conveys the narrator's admiration for her profound capacity for empathy and sorrow, suggesting that her life experiences have endowed her with a unique gift of pathos.
Example 2: “When Roger told me that he had at last persuaded her to marry him, I wished him joy ”
In typical circumstances, friends often extend wishes for a happy marriage, a bright future, or beautiful children However, the narrator expressed only a desire for joy for Roger, harboring suspicions about Mrs Barlow's true intentions, describing her as “as hard as nails.”
Example 3: “It could hardly have been that he grew tired of her conversation, for she had never had any conversation.”
When Roger unexpectedly fell out of love, the narrator sought to clarify the situation, ultimately determining that it wasn't due to her conversation Utilizing irony, the narrator cleverly highlights Mrs Barlow's lack of awareness.
Example 4: “Mrs Barlow had the patience of an angel ”
Roger and Mrs Barlow were determined to marry once they found the perfect house, leading them to visit numerous properties The narrator employs irony to highlight Mrs Barlow's naive patience, as she endured two years of house hunting despite losing her temper multiple times Throughout this period, it became evident that Roger's feelings had shifted, yet Mrs Barlow remained steadfast in her search.
Throughout the story, Ruth Barlow remains convinced of Roger's unwavering love for her; however, the narrator reveals that Roger's feelings have evolved Despite this change, he continues to fulfill her desires, even taking her on house-hunting trips with the expectation of marriage Ironically, Mrs Barlow remains oblivious to Roger's true intentions, as his elaborate plan is to subtly encourage her to end their relationship.
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter presents the study's findings on the types of irony employed in characterizing female characters It explores the pragmatic functions of ironic expressions and examines how W.S Maugham utilizes irony in his selected short stories.
4.1 Types of irony used in the development of the female characters
Pie chart 1: Types of irony in the selected short stories
The pie chart illustrates the distribution of ironic expressions in five selected short stories, revealing that verbal irony is the most prevalent type, accounting for 79% of the total In contrast, dramatic irony constitutes 6%, while situational irony makes up 15%.
In a collection of 33 ironic expressions from five short stories, verbal irony emerges as the predominant type, with each story featuring no more than six instances To effectively establish an ironic tone, writers must harmonize character actions, dialogues, plot, and setting, ensuring all elements work cohesively without excess In the selected works of Maugham, verbal irony is particularly evident in his portrayal of female characters and their conversations, yet he avoids overwhelming readers with a barrage of satirical language Thus, irony serves as a subtle spice, enhancing the wit and amusement of the narratives.
Dramatic and situational irony often manifest through the overarching structure of stories, requiring readers to engage deeply to fully grasp their implications Additionally, data analysis reveals that Maugham frequently blends two or even three types of irony in his narratives, highlighting a distinctive aspect of his writing style.
4.2 Pragmatic functions of these ironic expressions
Inspired by the potential of Speech Act Theory to analyze irony, the author aims to explore its application in selected short stories by Maugham.
According to Searle's Speech Act Theory (1969), speech acts are actions executed through utterances, comprising locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts The speaker's illocutionary act conveys an intention, and irony serves as a unique illocutionary act that expresses an ironic intention This study aims to present findings on the pragmatic functions of verbal irony in selected short stories after analyzing the collected data.
Verbal irony is a key element in Maugham's storytelling, prominently displayed through character interactions and the portrayal of female characters This literary device serves as a representative speech act, highlighting the appearance, personalities, and dialogues of these women Additionally, verbal irony functions as an expressive speech act, allowing Maugham to convey his feelings towards the female characters, often mocking them For instance, in the story "Louise," he depicts the character as the "most submissive wife," revealing her compliance while hinting at her inner struggles.
Despite claiming to have a "weak heart," Louise was far from submissive; she resisted her husband's commands rather than obeying them Maugham's use of ironic language highlights how Louise leveraged her perceived frailty to manipulate situations in her favor, showcasing a layer of dramatic irony in her character.
Dramatic irony, which refers to the difference between what the characters believe to be true and the facts that the reader knows, only appears in the stories
In "The Escape," Ruth Barlow remains convinced throughout the story that Roger's love for her is unwavering, while readers quickly learn that he has fallen out of love and devised a cunning plan to distance himself He takes her on a seemingly endless search for a new home, masking his true intentions behind the guise of marriage preparations Despite her exhaustion from the house-hunting ordeal, Mrs Barlow ultimately decides to leave Roger, unaware that his actions were a calculated maneuver This dramatic irony highlights the complexities of the female characters' beliefs and behaviors, offering a sharp and insightful commentary on their situations.
Situational irony highlights the contrast between anticipated outcomes and actual events This literary device is effectively illustrated in four notable stories: “The Three Fat Women of Antibes,” “The Luncheon,” “Louise,” and others.
In the story “Louise,” the narrator portrays Louise as a character who manipulates those around her by feigning weakness, despite her apparent strength and vitality, as evidenced by her ability to endure the deaths of two husbands and engage in lively social activities Readers are led to believe that Louise can handle her daughter Iris's decision to marry, even in the face of her own declining health However, the situational irony culminates on Iris's wedding day when Louise unexpectedly succumbs to a heart attack, defying readers' expectations and highlighting the contrast between perceived strength and reality.
4.3 W.S Maugham’s use of irony in the selected short stories
It is apparent that irony play in a significant role in the way Maugham created his writing style
Maugham skillfully blends multiple forms of irony in his storytelling, creating engaging narratives that remain accessible and avoid overwhelming readers with excessive satire or convoluted plot twists.
In his works, Maugham effectively employs verbal irony to mock female characters, a common function of irony In “The Three Fat Women of Antibes,” he portrays Mrs Richman as “very well content to be a widow with a handsome fortune,” subverting the typical image of a grieving widow and suggesting that wealth can mitigate the loss of a spouse Similarly, in “Winter Cruise,” Maugham uses the verb “bombard” to highlight Miss Reid’s overwhelming desire for information, showcasing the humorous aspect of her incessant questioning Through these examples, Maugham skillfully utilizes irony to both satirize and entertain.
Meanwhile, dramatic and situational irony was used to create riveting plots
In the selected short stories, female characters often find themselves in conflicts, whether internal or with others, which engages readers and compels them to discover how these challenges will be resolved A notable example is found in “The Three Fat Women of Antibes,” where the three protagonists grapple with Lena’s nourishing meals and her prowess at bridge, sparking curiosity about how they will navigate this dilemma.
In summary, Maugham skillfully blended various forms of irony in his selected short stories, with verbal irony being the most prominent This is evident in his portrayal of female characters through their appearances, personalities, and dialogues By utilizing irony, Maugham not only crafted compelling female characters but also introduced captivating plot twists.
CONCLUSION
Recapitulation
This study examines the use of ironic expressions in selected short stories by W.S Maugham, specifically analyzing five works: "The Three Fat Women of Antibes" (1936), "The Escape" (1925), and others.
Since several researchers such as Van Dijk (1976), Zhang (2013), Haverkate
In 1990, Kenkadze explored irony through the lens of Speech Act Theory, examining how ironic expressions function within communication The writer further analyzed ironic elements in several short stories by Maugham, highlighting irony as a distinct illocutionary act that conveys a unique illocutionary force.
An analysis of 33 ironic expressions from five short stories reveals that verbal irony is the most prevalent, comprising 79% of the total, while dramatic and situational irony account for 6% and 15%, respectively Verbal and dramatic irony serve as expressive speech acts that illustrate the female characters' traits and the narrator's sentiments towards them, whereas situational irony creates expectations that are subverted in unexpected ways W.S Maugham often blends multiple types of irony, utilizing it not only to mock but also to entertain and highlight the unique qualities of his female characters.
Limitations of the study
This study faces inherent limitations due to its data sources The selection of short stories featuring female protagonists or antagonists required careful reading to identify instances of irony and its functions However, not all stories prominently featured irony, leading to the exclusion of some works from the analysis Consequently, access to a broader range of Maugham's writings could have resulted in a different dataset, potentially influencing the study's outcomes.
Implications for language teaching and learning
This study is conducted to investigate how ironic expressions are employed in some of W.S Maugham’s short stories
This thesis aims to be a valuable resource for students seeking to deepen their understanding of British Literature and the application of Speech Act Theory in analyzing irony, particularly in the works of Somerset Maugham It serves as supplementary reading for those interested in exploring the nuances of irony as a unique illocutionary act, which varies across cultures Ultimately, this study aspires to assist anyone looking to examine the translation of irony between languages.
Suggestions for further study
If more time was allowed, the author would like to conduct:
- An investigation into the characterization of female characters in more of Maugham’s work (possibly in different genre)
- A more profound study into Maugham’s writing style
- A comparison of irony in some of Maugham’s writings and their Vietnamese editions
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APPENDIX List of Verbal Ironic Expressions Collected Story 1: “The Three Fat Women of Antibes”
Example 1: “She was very well content to be a widow with a handsome fortune.”
Example 2: “It was increasingly difficult to find dresses to make her look as she liked to look.”
She wore a stunning silk wrap, tightly clasped around her neck with one hand to create a slimmer appearance, while keeping her head held high to conceal her double chin.
.Example 4: “But when she turned away from the departing train, she heaved such a vast sigh of relief that the platform shook beneath her.”
Example 5: “I can’t help think that if she really cared for her husband, she would hardly eat so much.”
Example 1: “Mrs Ruth Barlow, for she was twice a widow, had splendid dark eyes and they were the most moving I ever saw.”
Example 2: “When Roger told me that he had at last persuaded her to marry him, I wished him joy.”
Example 3: “It could hardly have been that he grew tired of her conversation, for she had never had any conversation.”
Example 4: “Mrs Barlow had the patience of an angel.”
Example 1: “She gave me the impression of having more teeth, white and large and even, than were necessary for any practical purpose.”
Example 2: “I never eat more than one thing I think people eat far too much nowadays A little fish, perhaps I wonder if they have any salmon.”
In dining, I typically limit myself to a single dish unless caviar is offered For lunch, I exclusively enjoy white wine, as my doctor permits only champagne for my beverages.
Example 5: “I never eat anything for luncheon Just a bite, I never want more than that I couldn’t possibly eat anything more unless they had some of those giant asparagus.”
Example 6: “I’ve just had a snack and I shall enjoy a peach.”
He abandoned the sports he excelled at, not due to her wishes—she actually encouraged his golf and hunting pursuits—but rather because she coincidentally suffered a heart attack every time he suggested spending a day away from her.
In her relationship, she consistently yielded to his opinions, embodying the ideal of a submissive wife, yet internally struggled with her emotions Meanwhile, Louise's health required her to seek warmer climates, spending winters in Monte Carlo and summers in Deauville for better well-being.
For the next few years, despite her weak heart, Louise elegantly attended lively parties, engaged in heavy gambling, danced energetically, and flirted with tall, slender young men.