Dramatic irony in Chapter 19 of 'Jane Eyre' involves the reader's understanding of Mr. Rochester's feelings and intentions, which Jane Eyre herself does not perceive.
The concept of dramatic irony in literature refers to a situation in which the audience or reader knows something that the characters do not. In Jane Eyre, Chapter 19 provides a pivotal moment for this device. The dramatic irony arises from the reader's awareness of Mr. Rochester's feelings and intentions towards Jane, which are unbeknownst to her. Jane misinterprets the social cues and behaviors of those around her, resulting in her unawareness of the true situation, which the reader is privy to. As Jane grapples with the puzzling actions and reticence of those at Thornfield, the reader can sense the undercurrents and meaning in these interactions that Jane cannot discern. This gap in understanding between Jane and the reader heightens the emotional impact of the narrative.