The Irony of the Apothecary in a Wilderness
Cather writes, “It was a strange thing, indeed, that a man of his (apothecary) mild and thoughtful disposition, city-bred and most conventional in his habits, should be found on a grey rock in the Canadian wilderness.” The apothecary’s long stay in Quebec is attributed to the primary mission. Had the Governor not required his services, then he would lack the incentive to forfeit his life in Paris.
The Irony of “Bishop Laval and Parsley”
Cather elucidates, “Even the strange, bitter, mysterious Bishop Laval (more accusing and grim than ever, now that the new Bishop had returned and so disregarded him) used to tramp heavily into the shop for calomel pills or bandages for his varicose legs, and peer, not unkindly, back into the living-room. Once he had asked for a sprig from the box of parsley that was kept growing there even in winter, and carried it away in his hand,—though, as everyone knew, he denied himself all the comforts of the table and ate only the most wretched and unappetizing food.” The Bishop’s request for the parsley is ironic considering that he hardly prepares delicious food. His ironic request underscores the apothecary’s influence on individuals which is attributed to his unique and appealing lifestyle. Apothecary inspires the Bishop to hanker to healthy food which the parsley epitomizes.
The Irony of Jacques' Decency
Cather explains, “This unfortunate child, Jacques, in spite of his bad surroundings, was a very decent little fellow. He told the truth, he tried to be clean, he was devoted to Cécile and her father. When he came to their house to play, they endeavored to give him some sort of bringing-up, though it was difficult, because his mother was fiercely jealous.” Jacques’ decency is extraordinary considering that his mother is not an impeccable role model. Although his mother does not offer him an idyllic example, he turns out to be a commendable boy. Accordingly, children do not inherit ‘badness’ from their parents; they should be viewed as personas distinct from their parents.
