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The Use of Irony in Chinua Achebe's Girls at War

            The literary element, irony is preferably the widely used technique by most 19th to 21st century writers to portray the modern age experience which is complex, multidimensional and contradictory. Irony comes in various forms and it connotes a sense of double meaning as well as contradiction. The rhetorical device of irony in literature is often far more effective than a direct and literal statement. The successful use of irony however depends on the audience's role in not just counting the ironies but realizing the implications of the ironies used and its intention by the author.
             In Chinua Achebe's short story "Girls At War"," he carefully exploits the central message of the story through his exquisite usage of irony. He uses irony in such an intriguing manner to pass on his critical views of the Biafran society. A society characterized by war and chaos as well as its conditions on the people of southeastern Nigeria during the 19th century. Achebe witnessed this period hence inducing his writings around that time. Along with "Civil Peace,"" and "Sugar Baby"" the story "Girls at War"" forms Achebe's masterful trilogy of short stories that is set during and immediately after the Nigerian Civil War (1967-70).
             Achebe uses the title "Girls At War"" ironically to make emphasis on the vulnerability of women especially as victims in times of war and turmoil (misogyny). This title does not mean physical fight between girls but rather the psychological and emotional as well as moral struggles among girls in times of difficulties as in the case between Gladys and her girlfriend Augusta. The girls compete among themselves for favours from men in order to survive. This is typical of our society today where girls are fond of dating men in authority and wealth in order to gain security and comfort.
             In this story, the personality of Gladys is seen in three folds. The first time we meet her she is an idealist who is working for a particular cause.


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