e lost more of her teeth. Nancy was complaining because her white "john" had never paid her for her sexual services.
Faulkner's story reveals the tragic irony in the situation: Nancy's husband wants to kill her for her adulterous act despite the fact that she only slept with a white man because she was poor and needed money. The irony is heightened by the fact that she was never paid by Mr. Stovall, and endures assault and battery when she attempts to speak out about the injustice of her situation.
The irony elements in Nancy's situation continues throughout the entire story. Quentin, who cares about Nancy but realizes that if she, as a grown up, can do nothing to extricate herself, that any effort on his part would also be futile. Following the theme of Nancy's resignation to the fact that she will not be treated justly by anyone--or life in general--Quentin asks a question which reveals that he is beginning to comprehend that he may never see Nancy again. Quentin asks, "Who will do our washing now?" (Frey, p. 37).
On some level, Quentin, like his sibling Caddy, probably thinks that "Jesus" is mad at Nancy so Nancy must leave her employ with their parents. But none of the children ever understand the full irony of the situation: that Nancy fears her own death as opposed to merely losing her employment with Mr. and Mrs. Compson. At the same time,
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