In Alice Walker's novel "The Color Purple," a specific example of verbal irony is when Celie's stepson Harpo tells his wife Sofia that he wants her to be more submissive and obedient like Celie. Harpo wants Sofia to follow traditional gender roles and be docile, in contrast to Celie who is actually quite strong-willed and independent. This is verbal irony because the statement is the opposite of what is actually true in the situation.
