OTHER ELEMENTS

IRONY

Another important element is irony - when something happens, or is seen, or is heard that we may know, but the characters do not, or that appears opposite of what is expected. Some examples of irony include:

1. It is ironic that the first thing Jeannette's Mom begins to talk about is Picasso. She is homeless and finds food in dumpsters.

2. Jeannette's mother disapproves of her hum chewing and calls it a low-class habit. They are low-class people.

3. It is ironic that Mom tells Jeannette after she's burned, You don't have to worry........ .

........ 28. But despite all the hell raising and destruction and chaos Dad created in their lives, Jeannette cannot imagine what her life will be like . . . without him. As awful as he can be, she has always known he loves her in a way no one else ever has.

The complete study guide is currently available as a downloadable PDF, RTF, or MS Word DOC file from the PinkMonkey MonkeyNotes download store. The complete study guide contains summaries and notes for all of the chapters; detailed analysis of the themes, plot structure, and characters; important quotations and analysis; detailed analysis of symbolism, motifs, and imagery; a key facts summary; detailed analysis of the use of foreshadowing and irony; a multiple-choice quiz, and suggested book report ideas and essay topics.