When the character says one thing, but means another.
Higgins uses irony to toy with Eliza since she is so naïve- her reactions to his irony is amusing because she does not know what it is and therefore thinks he is being literal.
HIGGINS Pickering: shall we ask this baggage to sit down or shall we throw her out of the window?
THE FLOWER GIRL [running away in terror to the piano, where she turns at bay] Ah--ah--ah--ow--ow--ow--oo! [Wounded and whimpering] I won't be called a baggage when I've offered to pay like any lady.
Higgins uses irony to toy with Eliza since she is so naïve- her reactions to his irony is amusing because she does not know what it is and therefore thinks he is being literal.
HIGGINS Pickering: shall we ask this baggage to sit down or shall we throw her out of the window?
THE FLOWER GIRL [running away in terror to the piano, where she turns at bay] Ah--ah--ah--ow--ow--ow--oo! [Wounded and whimpering] I won't be called a baggage when I've offered to pay like any lady.