Question

Which sentences in this excerpt from William Dean Howells's "Editha" use an ironic tone?

Answer 1

To think of your having such a tragedy in your life!" 

Answer 2

The sentences in this excerpt of "Editha" that have an ironic tone are:

""To think of your having such a tragedy in your life!"

This sentence is ironic because Editha brought her tragedy on her own: the only reason her fiancé is dead, which lead to an argument with his mother, is because she insisted that he went to war, even threatened to end the engagement if he didn't.

" But when you consider how much this war has done for the country!"

This has an ironic tone because wars are never positive for a country. They represent a loss of life and a heavy weight in the economy.