Final answer:
Captain Beatty's statement is ironic because it criticizes the power attributed to books, yet Beatty himself often references literature, showing a deep understanding of their value.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement “You think you can walk on water with your books” is ironic because it implies a criticism of the overestimation of books' power, suggesting that the person believes books give them a godlike ability.
The irony lies in the fact that Captain Beatty, the character from Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 who says this, is himself deeply knowledgeable about books and often uses literary quotes and allusions.
This suggests that despite his outward disdain for books, he recognizes their intrinsic value and power, perhaps even more so than those he criticizes.