Dramatic Irony
As readers with an awareness of Mary Shelley's biography, we might see similarities between Mathilda's story and Shelley's own life.
Irony of Mathilda's father
As we might see Mathilda's father as a representation of Shelley's own father, his incestuous proclamations are ironic.
Irony of fathers
In this text, Shelley presents an ironic view of the role of a father, depicting Mathilda's father as failing to do his duty as a father.
Irony of criticism
Shelley's inclusion of incest as a theme of this novel has been criticized. However, it gained the novel considerable attention and made people aware of it.
Irony of Percy
At the time of writing, Shelley was going through a rough patch with her husband Percy, after suffering from depression following the deaths of her children. As such, the flattering view of Woodville in this novel may be seen as dramatic.
