The Alluring Problem: An Essay on Irony

by D.J. Enright

When Jonathan Swift suggested in 1729, in his pamphlet A Modest Proposal, that the Irish might survive overpopulation if only they could be persuaded to eat their own babies, the Irishman was employing that favorite tool of writers and wits: irony. Now, in an entertaining and intriguing new book, D. J. Enright, acclaimed editor of The Oxford Book of Death, has turned his attention to the practice of irony and its many manifestations in both literature and life. Aiming to pursue personal ironies, both verbal and situational, Enright has observed their twists and turns in his own inimitable style.
The author takes a fresh look at irony in the works of Shakespeare, Austen, James, Proust and Freud, and a briefer look at such conspicous practitioners as Swift, Fielding and Hardy. He goes on to review the use of irony, or what resembles it, in the works of Pope, Dickens, Conrad, Brecht and other more recent writers.
Religion, politics, censorship, love and death are all mined for their rich lode of ironic situations. Among other themes discussed are the perils of irony unrecognised and irony wrongly presumed; the risks run by self-ironists; and the questions "Does romantic irony exist?" and "Must irony have a victim? Can it be sweet?." Enright's reflections vary from musings on the absurdities of acronyms like AIDS and CREEP to a consideration of the apparent absence of irony in China.
Although irony commonly generates laughter, some have observed that it can be no laughing matter. But the author concludes this witty and elegant book by noting that, "while irony is an ambiguous gift... it is a gift all the same."

186 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[James Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to irony by discussing its practice. What better way than to begin with Socrates whose dialogues, as presented by Plato, demonstrate the epitome of ironic presence. The examples of irony are not limited to philosophy, but include a wealth of literary progenitors and further discussion that includes politics, censorship, love, and death. Especially delightful is the discussion of the ironic treatment of writing and reading - this in turn is seen with ironic suspicion by at least the present avid reader.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wins on style. The guy is a great writer, and of course, appropriately ironic (but then, most writers on irony are 'performative' or 'self-reflexive' -- that is the point, is it not?). Although I am not sure I agree with him -- but do I agree with anyone fully! -- esp on Wayne Booth...