Irony in the novelettes of Edith Wharton.

The purpose of this study, entitled "Irony in the Novelettes of Edith Wharton," is to show that as a conscious stylist Mrs. Wharton imbued with a framework of irony the eight novelettes discussed. The individual works are Sanctuary, Madame de Treymes, The Marne, Ethan Frome, False Dawn, The Old Maid, The Spark, and New Year's Day. Each of the novelettes is examined with the intention of pointing out the various ways in which Mrs. Wharton employs irony in the course of narrative development. Narrative irony is defined as a combination of circumstances or a result that is the opposite of what might be expected or considered to be appropriate. Irony is seen to lie somewhere between comedy and tragedy and is able to move in either direction, depending upon the intended effect. It is maintained that each of Mrs. Wharton's works contains at least one fundamental irony and that lesser ironies contribute to the final tone of the work. Her characters are given a choice of various alternatives and thus can be held responsible for the results that follow from their actions. Yet. Mrs. Wharton determines the supreme irony by her choice of circumstances and by the creation of characters who are most apt to struggle in vain to escape the nets she has drawn about them. In trying to improve their lots, her characters invariably end by sacrificing themselves or others in their efforts to resolve the dilemmas that confront them.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

1964

Author dc:creator

• Tinsley, Beverly B., 1940-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Long, E. Hudson (Eugene Hudson), 1908-1990.

• Wharton, Edith, 1862-1937.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14433

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/14433