She believed he had been drinking too much of Mr. Weston’s good wine, and felt sure that he would want to be talking nonsense. To restrain him as much as might be, by her own manners, she was immediately preparing to speak with exquisite calmness and gravity of the weather and the night; but…she found her subject cut up – her hand seized – her attention demanded, and Mr. Elton actually making violent love to her: availing himself of the precious opportunity, declaring sentiments which must be already well known, hoping – fearing – adoring – ready to die if she refused him.
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 15. After the Westons’ dinner party, a horrified Emma finds herself alone with Mr. Elton in the carriage when he makes “violent love” to her hand. He declares that he will die if she refuses his proposal. Austen uses powerful hyperbolic language to add to the humorous tone and comedy of the scene. There is situational irony because Emma was expecting a conversation about the weather, but instead got Mr. Elton’s passionate proposal. Mr. Elton’s drunken behavior and dreadful lack of social etiquette when it comes to courting are satirized here.