What Makes You Think We're Going to Live That Long? (Verbal Irony)
Upon arriving at their new flat, Jo makes several disparaging comments about the ruined condition of the place. At one point, Helen comments on something she plans to do the next day. Jo replies, "Tomorrow? What makes you think we’re going to live that long? The roof’s leaking!" In this instance of verbal irony, Jo exaggerates their squalid living conditions by suggesting she doesn't believe they will survive one night in their damp new home.
Centuries Older Than Him (Verbal Irony)
In Act One, Scene Two, Helen breaks the news to Jo that she has agreed to marry Peter. Jo is quick to point out that Peter is much younger than her, saying, "You're centuries older than him." In this instance of verbal irony, Jo uses hyperbole to make fun of the age gap between Peter and Helen, which in reality is only nine years.
Beautiful Brown Eyes and Curly Hair (Dramatic Irony)
In Act One, Scene Two, the audience sees Jo and her boyfriend, Jimmie, getting engaged and making plans for their life together. Although Jo assures Jimmie that her mother wouldn't mind that he is Black, Jo returns to the flat and admits to the relationship only to leave out the fact of Jimmie's race. In an instance of dramatic irony, the audience knows Jo is hinting at but occluding his race when she says Jimmie has "beautiful brown eyes and curly hair."
Helen Sends Geoffrey Away (Dramatic Irony)
At the end of the play, Helen makes a bold, disruptive return to the flat just before Jo goes into labor. First aggressively making Geoffrey go out for groceries, Helen then sends Jo to bed. When Geoffrey returns, Helen continues to mistreat him until he agrees to leave so that Helen can look after her daughter. When Jo wakes up, Helen lies to Jo, neglecting to explain that Geoffrey has left them. Helen subsequently leaves herself, and Jo smiles to herself as if comforted by the fact that she still has Geoffrey. In this instance of dramatic irony, the audience knows something Jo doesn’t: Geoffrey went away believing Helen would attend to the birth.
