The Irony of Geert's Courtship
Geert marries Effi Briest who is twenty-one years younger than him. This in and of itself is ironic because Geert courted Effi's mother, Louise, when she was about the same age. She rejected, however, because his social status was much lower at the time. Having improved his circumstances, he now returns to the Briest family and this time successfully takes Louise's daughter as his wife. She wouldn't dare say no to him twice.
The Irony of Marrying for Wealth
Effi, as a product of her upbringing, desires to marry a man of considerable wealth and favorable social standing, an aristocrat. This is the correct attitude for a young woman in her position, according to social standards. Since she was doing the "correct" thing, Effi is astonished when her marriage turns out to be a miserable affair. She never sees Geert nor is allowed to go places in order to take advantage of her newly gained wealth. Although she expected to receive just reward for choosing a husband according to society's expectations, she was severely disappointed to find out the real consequences of her decision.
The Irony of Crampas' and Geert's Rivalry
The two men, having adopted polar opposite lifestyles, detest one another. They openly and historically have expressed their poor opinions of each other. This rivalry culminates in an ironic exchange. Although Crampas really succeeds in wooing Effi, he loses both her and his life to Geert who gets the upper hand in the end. Crampas' power over Effi only applied in the darkness. When brought into the open, he could not overcome society's judgement. Although Crampas wins the girl, he loses the rivalry in the end.
The Irony of Annie's Hatred of Her Mom
Effi grew up resenting her mom. Strong willed and thrill-seeking, Effi could never quite please Louise, although Louise herself struggled with those same qualities. That's where the resentment enters the picture. Effi understands that she has inherited her mother's temperament but is being punished for that as if she had chosen something wrong. She vows to raise her child more acceptingly, but that effort is cut short by the divorce. Annie grows up hating her mother, having been told awful stories about her by her dad. In the end Annie resents Effi for the same reasons Effi had resented Louise.
The Irony of the Briests' Relationship with Effi
Effi's parents disown her after her divorce. They are protecting their family's reputation from her stained one, however, their bad advice in encouraging her to marry Geert has contributed to her fall from grace. When they welcome her back after she becomes ill, they say they forgive her. Maybe they are as wrong as Geert in assuming their victimhood. Effi appears to be the only real victim, here, as a product of her questionably manipulative social upbringing.
