What is an example of irony in Nothing but the Truth?

Verbal irony is the use of language in a manner that is meant to signify, usually for emphasis, the opposite of what is literally said. Dramatic irony occurs in literature when the true significance of a character's actions, words, and behaviors are fully understood by the reader and yet not fully understood by the character acting/speaking.

In Nothing But the Truth, I would argue that the strongest moment of irony is when we discover, at the very end of the novel, that Philip does not know the words to the National Anthem. This is ironic because the entire conflict of the novel was predicated on Philip's claim that he was punished at school for singing the National Anthem rather than standing quietly. This caused a chain of reactions, including the school's loss of funding, the forced retirement of Mrs. Narwin, and national outrage about how Philip's patriotic values were being oppressed by the school's policies.

I would argue that this is a weird twist on (or inverse of) dramatic irony. The reader knew throughout the novel that Philip was simply being difficult when he chose to hum the National Anthem—he was not expressing any true patriotic sentiments. We were aware that the consequences of this choice were direct result of him lying. However, it was Philip who had the full understanding of the irony of this situation, rather than the reader. The last-minute revelation to the reader that Philip does not even know the words to the song is shocking and dramatically worsens our attitude about his actions. He has effectively destroyed a school district and the career of a beloved teacher, and he has done so all for nothing.

What is an example of irony in Nothing but the Truth?

Perhaps the greatest example of irony in Nothing but the Truth comes at the end of the novel with the outcome of Philip's wish to run track.

  Complicated by his goofing off in class, the original conflict between Philip and Miss Narwin begins over the dispute about Philip's failing English grade which excludes him from the track team.  Even the track coach encourages him to work hard to bring his grades up and to smooth things over with Miss Narwin.  "Sometimes you have to go along to get along...Go with the flow, " Coach Jamison tells Phillip.  Philip chooses not to be pro-active about his studies or even to go with "the flow' however, and instead, blames Miss Narwin for all of his difficulties. 

In the very end, Philip hopes for a fresh start at his new school, still clinging to his hopes of competitive running, but irony strikes when he discovers that his new campus has no track and field program. 

What are the final ironies of Nothing But the Truth?

When looking at ironies in Avi's Nothing but the Truth, one of the first areas to look would be the title itself.  The idea of "nothing but the truth" is one of the basic elements of American jurisprudence and society. However, Philip does not come close to embodying any aspect of such an ideal.  His manufactured story about Miss Narwin, the deception to his parents about both it and his lack of interest in track, as well as his willingness to continue the story when it is evident that people are being damaged as a result are aspects of behavior that are far from "nothing but the truth." An irony connected with this is that while he does all of this to run track, he transfers to a new school that does not have a track team.

Another irony that presents itself in the novel is that Philip is convinced that literature has no meaning.  Philip believes that the written word is not important and does not contain relevance.  However, it is the written word that ends up putting the entire story in motion when the media gets ahold of it and newspapers end up writing stories about what happened. The letters and telegrams that Miss Narwin receives confirm the power of the written word, something that Philip denies.   The written word is also important because as the story spirals out of control, Philip can only confide in his journal.  The written word is the only sanctuary for Philip as he realizes the full scope of his actions.  

Miss Narwin experiences her own set of ironies at the novel's conclusion.  She is suspended for following the rules.  She has ended up becoming a shell of her former self when Philip comes in to ask for help.  The course she wanted to take in order to make her a better teacher is now something that the administration ends up spinning as "remediation" for her "poor teaching."  The entire educational system experiences ironic treatment.  It is poised between educating children and placating a public that is looking to attack it.  The superintendent says "People scream if the kids are not educated. Then they scream if you ask for the money to do it."  This reflects the irony of American education in the public setting.  While there is a desire for good schools and educated children, there is a resentment of education in the form of limits on financial commitments as well as a desire to challenge stakeholders in the school setting.  A nation predicated upon democracy and one whose core value believes in "nothing but the truth" finds itself treating education in a politically expedient manner.  This irony is something that settles on the reader over the course of the novel and at its conclusion.