"You're Ugly, Too" Question 4 Pg. 371

                Lorrie Moore’s prevalent use of irony and sarcasm throughout her short story “You’re Ugly, Too” greatly influences the tone of her story. In paragraph 6, Zoe distinguishes between irony and sarcasm by implying that irony is an entity far more layered and sophisticated than dry humor or sarcasm. Regardless, Zoe utilizes sarcasm like a weapon throughout the story, and her life is overflowing with irony. For example, Zoe alludes to the irony in her relationship with her sister Evan by mentioning that, while Zoe is the older sister and often extended a great deal of sisterly advice to Evan when they were young girls, Evan now plays the role of counselor to Zoe as Zoe complains about the dreariness of her life. Furthermore, Moore employs irony when Zoe encourages Evan to finally marry Charlie and warns Evan that “…You guys probably think living together like this is the best of both worlds, but… I’ve always found that as soon as you think you’ve got the best of both worlds… it can suddenly twist and become the worst of both worlds” (Moore, 361). The statement alone is not only an example of situational irony in the world today, but it also relates to a great deal of irony in Zoe’s own life. Zoe is offering Evan relationship advice and sharing her wisdom on how to find happiness in “both worlds” when Zoe is, in fact, the character who has been unable to find true happiness and is experiencing the worst of “both worlds.”  Zoe is therefore speaking ironically in the sense that she is offering advice to her perfectly content sister which she herself is unable to follow in order to find happiness.

                Examples of Zoe’s sarcasm occur on every page of the short story since she utilizes in conversation so frequently. One such example occurs when Zoe is speaking to Evan on the phone and encourages Evan not to marry Charlie yet. When even inquires is Zoe is just insisting on this because she is jealous that her little sister might get married first, Zoe responds by saying, “Oh, my God… I forgot to get married” (Moore, 355). Zoe is obviously very sarcastically in this instance since she clearly did not forget to get married, but rather has never fallen in love with someone and been ready for the commitment of marriage. However, the intriguing aspect of Moore’s constant use of both irony and sarcasm is that Zoe’s sarcasm in and of itself is ironic. On one hand, Zoe’s constant use of sarcasm in conversation is one of the most likable aspects of her character, for it points to her wittiness and makes her a more personable individual. Zoe also often uses sarcasm as a way to make light of the fact that she is still single. However, although this sarcasm can sometimes make her a more likable person, she simultaneously utilizes her sarcasm as a guard to hide her loneliness and insecurities. Therefore, her sarcasm is ironic in the sense that it is likely to be one of the largest factors in keeping her from finding the person she lives. Clearly, sarcasm and irony play a significant role in “You’re Ugly, Too.”