Irony in Innokentii V. Omulevsky’s novel «The attempt is no joke» as a dialogue of the author with the reader

The article deals with irony as a means for establishing a dialogue between the author and the reader, which has been clearly represented in the unfinished novel of writer-populist Ivan V. Omulevsky «The attempt is no joke» (1873) with the subtitle "Dedicated to a Russian woman". In general, irony performs several functions, takes forms of narrative, characterological, and plot-compositional techniques, it is a way to demonstrate pathos. Ironical relations of two successive narrators allow us to see the author's view on women's issue, contribute to reassessment of values. Omulevsky not deny a woman's right to independence. But women need to comply with the measure and not to bring their behavior, relationships with other people to the extreme eccentricity, bordering on madness, as it has been reflected in Evgeniya Belozerova image.