Final answer:
Holmes' attribution of irony to 'Old Ironies' encompasses the sophisticated uses of irony by various authors including Austen and Harding Davis, to challenge social norms and provoke reflection on societal issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quality that Holmes attributes to "Old Ironies" reflects a key narrative strategy used by the authors mentioned, such as Austen's use of irony in Northanger Abbey and Harding Davis's ironic critique of industrial society in Life in the Iron Mills. This attribute signifies a deeper meaning behind the seemingly straightforward use of irony as a literary device - it is often wielded by writers to highlight contradictions and provoke thoughtful reflection on the part of the reader. Similarly, William Blake and Mary Shelley employ irony to underscore and critique societal constraints and expectations, revealing the tension and sometimes the futility in seeking change or forecasting outcomes within rigid structures of power.
Recurring themes surrounding irony and critique in literature from Austen to Blake underscore the power of literary devices to shape reader perception and challenge social norms. In texts from Northanger Abbey to Life in the Iron Mills, irony serves not just as a stylistic choice but as a vehicle for deeper commentary on the human condition and societal issues, encapsulating the authors' nuanced perspectives on themes ranging from women's freedoms to industrial exploitation and environmental degradation.