Question

review the passage. the verbal irony is shown in bold. nowadays it is a duty for a poor peasant to be a soldier. another reason to be proud, this being a citizen! for the poor, it consists in sustaining and preserving the wealthy in their power and their laziness. the poor must work for this. this revolution was made by fools and idiots for the benefit of those who acquired national lands, and resulted in nothing but making fortune of crafty peasants and bourgeois. the revolution only made stronger, under the pretense of making all men equal, the empire of wealth. it has betrayed france into the hands of the men of wealth. adapted from anatole france, the red lily what is the effect of the verbal irony on the passages meaning or tone? it indicates the speakers approval of the poor becoming soldiers. it suggests that the speaker is not poor. it emphasizes the speakers negative opinion of the french government.

Explanation:

Verbal irony involves saying the opposite of what is meant. The passage presents the idea of being a poor peasant as a 'duty' and something to be 'proud' of, while in reality, it describes the poor having to work hard for the benefit of others and being exploited. This shows a contrast between the stated and actual meanings, indicating verbal irony.

Answer:

The passage uses irony to highlight the unfair situation of the poor, where the so - called 'duty' and 'pride' are actually signs of exploitation.