bike stolen; on the way home this afternoon, I slipped down in the street. So today, I am certainly enjoying myself. [27]
Obviously, the narrator did not enjoy himself indeed this day. With the strong discontent of the terrible experience, he expressed his displeasure by using the opposite word “enjoy”.

6.1.2 Used as a means to satirize
Irony is used to veil feelings in a subtle way. Words of praise are often found where condemnation is meant. Below are some examples:
(1) Like all the other officers at Group Headquarters except Major Danby, Colonel Cathcart was infused with the democratic spirit: he believed that all men outside Group equal, and he therefore spurned all men outside Group Headquarters with equal fervour. (Joseph Heller: Catch 22) [28]
(This passage implies that Colonel Cathcart was not democratic at all: his democratic spirit extended only to his own group; all others he treated with scorn and highhandedness.)
(2) …a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee or a ragout. [29]
The author here proposed the measure to solve the problem of starvation and overpopulation by eating or selling children from poor families. However, his real purpose was to rip off the hypocritical mask of hypocrites. Used as a means to satirize, irony helped to disclose the serious problem of the society in above example.

6.1.3Used as an approach to be polite
    In daily conversation, people are apt to be polite. As an indirect expression, irony is widely applied. For example:
   (1) “Have a drink?”
       “All right, but not up at the bar. We will take a table.”
       “The perfect father.”
      &nbs[转贴于:论文大全网 https://www.11665.com/Foreignlanguage/langageculture/201103/53598.html]

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