Good women should never gossip
The film begins with a colorful description of the main character, surrounded by her country club friends. These women are described as all coming from extremely good families and having good manners. The narrator then goes on to describe a series of behaviors that should always be deemed unacceptable in a proper society, the biggest being gossiping. Because of this, it is ironic to see that the characters not only do gossip, but it is their main activity.
You should try and be happy
Cary's husband died before the action in the movie started but it is also implied that she had not been a widow for long. Cary is still in her prime and as such she still hopes of finding another partner and getting married to him. Cary's children also agree with the prospect of seeing their mother getting married again and even try to find suitable matches for her themselves. As such, it is ironic to see that when Cary does find someone she loves and feels like she could spend the rest of her life together, her children not only do not agree with her decision but also bully her until Cary breaks off her engagement to Ron.
Going where she is not welcomed
After the relationship between Cary and Ron became public, Cary's former friends at the country club began to criticize her and gossip around her. It is thus clear that those women were not as accepting and loving as they pretended to be. Because of this, it is ironic to see that Cary continued to go to the country club and continued to try and appease and make her friends happy.
Like mother like daughter
One of the biggest opponents, when it came to the relationship between Cary and Ron, was Kay, Cary's only daughter. The reason why Kay was against the relationship was due to Ron's financial status. Because of this, it is ironic to see that Kay ended up marrying a man who was not wealthy and who did not come from a rich family.
No TV
At the beginning of the film, the narrator presents a conversation between Cary and her children, discussing the prospect of one day owning a TV. The children are against the idea, claiming that owning a TV is sinful. Because of this, it is ironic to see that the children are the ones who end up buying a TV for their mother, hoping it will make her feel less lonely and that it will take her mind off her lover.
