The satire of Monsieur de Renal
Monsieur de Renal considers hiring a tutor into his home, and he is determined to achieve his plan. Ironically, Monsieur de Renal is running his home as a one-person property because he does not consult his wife on the vital decisions. As a result, Monsieur de Renal’s wife, Madame, is not happy because she already has three boys, and she does not want a stranger to come in between them.
Julien's dignity surprising Madame de Renal
Madame de Renal is against the idea of her husband bringing home a stranger as a tutor because she thinks it is unnecessary. Madame thinks that the stranger will be rude and scold her three calm children in her imagination. Satirically, when Julien, at last, joins the family, Madame realizes that he is a person who carries himself with dignity, hardworking, respectable, and admirable. Consequently, the author is reminding readers that its cover should never judge a book.
The irony of Eliza’s love for Julien
Eliza works as a maid in Madame de Renal’s house, where Julien is employed as a tutor. Eliza finds Julien more admirable than any man, and she falls in love with him. Ironically, Eliza decides to propose to Julien after she has inherited property and wants to settle down. The reader finds it satirical that a woman with inherited property and self-sufficient can propose to be married; since it should be vice versa. Unfortunately, Julien turns down her proposal, and she is left heartbroken.
The irony of love
Madame de Renal is a married woman, and she has three sons with her husband. When her husband proposes to bring in a stranger male as a tutor, she is absolutely against the idea. Ironically, when Julien joins the family, Madame realizes that she was wrong. Madame finds Julien lovable, and later she starts admiring him sexually. At last, Madame starts an affair with Julien behind her husband's back! The reader also finds it sardonic that Julien, who wanted to be a priest, is having an affair with a married woman.
The irony of seminarians
At last, Julien finds his way to the seminary, and he is admitted to pursue his dream to become a priest. Julien is a sharp, talented guy in theology and Latin American knowledge. Ironically, fellow seminarians are jealous of Julien's abilities and the scheme to have him expelled from the seminary. According to the reader's understanding, seminarians are supposed to be loving and welcoming without showing any form of hatred.
