IRONY

Another element that is important to note 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.) Her hope for good luck on this trip prompted Lena to take out the Traveling Pants and put them on. Ironically, most of the trip will be filled with bad luck.

2.) Bailey, a young girl of about ten was lying unconscious on the floor of Wallman's, ironically having crushed Tibby's deodorant display in the process, a display that had taken her hours to put together.

3.) Lena noticed that she had Bapi's nose, an irony because she had never known where her looks had come from.

4.) Even though she didn't want to talk with Bailey, Tibby told Bailey's mother that her daughter liked to test people (something Tibby's own mother had said about her many times). Ironically, they were very much alike.

5.) Lena was still waiting to have something happen that would be big enough for the Pants. She wished Carmen a great time with her dad. Both of these ideas are ironic, because Lena will have a big moment when Kostos sees her swimming naked in the pond and Carmen will have nothing but bad luck with her dad.

6.) Eric whispered quietly into Bee's ear, We can't do this. Ironically, he won't follow his own advice.

7.) After hearing how Paul and Krista's father had left them, Carmen could only murmur that you can't just abandon your family. Ironically that is exactly what she will do later.

8.) She told her she was unsure what the Pants had meant to her yet, but that Carmen would do better, because she was the one and only Carma Carmeena. This is ironic because Carmen won't do better with the Pants at all.

9.) Carmen hoped the Pants would bring Bee good sense, because a little common sense is a good thing. Carmen thought Bee had every other charm in the universe and she only needed common sense. Ironically, that is the last thing Bee will use.

10.) Carmen cried and cried, while Bailey comforted her by telling her she was allowed to be mad. Ironcially, Bailey herself doesn't allow herself to be angry about her illness.