Irony in Dubliners

Father Butler is likely unaware of the irony found in his statement. The Halfpenny Marvel, for instance, was one of Alfred Harmsworth's, an Irish newspaper and publishing magnate, adventure tales made with the purpose or getting rid of "penny dreadfuls" and other "wretched" stories out of business. Harmsworth wanted to produce "pure, healthy literature" for boys, and so his intentions in making these stories could arguably be viewed as noble and not simply for profit. Regardless, the priesthood would have likely viewed all texts aside from the Bible and classical ones to be "rubbish."