How is this satire?
“Here she was a-bothering about Moses, which was no kin to her, and no use to anybody, being gone, you see...”
the sentance seems more ironic than satirical
To determine whether a sentence is satire, ironic, or both, it is important to understand the definitions of these terms. Satire is a literary or rhetorical device used to criticize or ridicule human vices, follies, or social institutions through irony, wit, or humor. Irony, on the other hand, involves a contradiction or incongruity between what is expected and what actually happens or is said.
In the given sentence, the speaker is referring to someone named Moses, who is not related to the person they are speaking to and has no practical significance. The phrase "bothering about Moses" implies that the person is investing time or energy into something trivial or unimportant. This sentence can be seen as a form of irony because it highlights the absurdity or pointlessness of being concerned about Moses.
However, this sentence can also be interpreted as satire because it criticizes the person's preoccupation with unimportant matters. By highlighting this trivial focus, the speaker may be ridiculing people who waste time and energy on meaningless concerns.
The use of irony in this sentence adds a satirical element by exposing the folly of the person's actions. So, while the sentence can be considered ironic, it also carries a satirical undertone in its criticism of misplaced priorities.