Vera means good and truthful. This is verbal irony because Vera is not truthful and she lies a lot.
2. In what ways is the story's last line ironic? Romance at short notice was her speciality.
The last line is ironic because Vera's speciality is making up stories at anytime she wants. Through the story we though she was telling the truth but it turns out the whole thing was made up.
3. Find two other ironic statements in the story. "A most extraordinary man, a Mr. Nuttel," said Mrs. Sappleton; "could only talk about his illnesses, and dashed off without a word of goodby or apology when you arrived. One would think he had seen a ghost."
A.This is ironic because Mrs.Sappleton wasnt really ever interested in his stories. It is also ironic because Mr.Nuttel actually thought he saw a ghost. But in fact they were really alive.
B.Framton grabbed wildly at his stick and hat; the hall door, the gravel drive, and the front gate were dimly noted stages in his headlong retreat. A cyclist coming along the road had to run into the hedge to avoid imminent collision. This is ironic because Framton is supposed to be on a leave for relaxation. But instead of relaxing is thinks he is seeing ghosts and can not relax at all.
4. What is the point of view in the story? How does the point of view create irony? The point of view of this story is third person. This is ironic because the reader knows something that the characters don't know.
5. Identify important character traits of Framton Nuttel and Vera. What action and lines of dialogue are the most important in the development of their characters?
Framton Nuttel is a tense, aggitated, self absorbed man. He only talks about himself and thinks everyones interested. "The doctors agree in ordering me complete rest, an absence of mental excitement, and avoidance of anything in the nature of violent physical exercise," announced Framton, who labored under the tolerably widespread delusion that total strangers and chance acquaintances are hungry for the least detail of one's ailments and infirmities, their cause and cure. "On the matter of diet they are not so much in agreement," he continued.
Vera is untruthful, not honest, and sneaky. She makes up stories and this shows her true nature. Her true nature being a liar. "I expect it was the spaniel," said the niece calmly; "he told me he had a horror of dogs. He was once hunted into a cemetery somewhere on the banks of the Ganges by a pack of pariah dogs, and had to spend the night in a newly dug grave with the creatures snarling and grinning and foaming just above him. Enough to make anyone lose their nerve."
Romance at short notice was her speciality.