Final answer:
The irony of Jim helping to move the grindstone in 'Life in the Iron Mills' is that his love for the task contributes to the industrial system that oppresses workers and destroys the environment, which is a key critique of the story from an ecocritic viewpoint.
Step-by-step explanation:
The irony in Jim helping the boys move the grindstone lies in the fact that this action is a microcosm of the overall theme of the story. It demonstrates the plight of the workers who have unknowingly become complicit in their own oppression and the destruction of nature that sustains them.
In the story Life in the Iron Mills, the character Jim shows eagerness to participate in an activity that he's loved throughout his life.
However, this very task of moving grindstones inadvertently contributes to the very system that breaks both the spirit of the workers and decimates the natural environment, which ironically, were the sources of his and their vitality. This aligns with the ecocritic perspective of the story, highlighting the damaging effects of industrialization on both humans and nature.
The irony in Jim helping the boys move the grindstone is that Jim, who is physically strong and capable, is unable to complete the task due to his physical condition. He had planned to use the force of the stone to cause destruction, but realizes he is too weak to do so. This is ironic because Jim, who is usually seen as a powerful and dominant figure, is rendered powerless in this situation.