What is the central irony in the passage? mr. bounderby recounts a childhood of poverty, but he is actually very rich. mrs. gradgrind wants to show sympathy, but ends up making fun of mr. bounderby. mr. bounderby pretends to be humble, but he is in fact boastful and full of himself. mrs. gradgrind shows great sympathy, but she cannot tolerate the presence of mr. bounderby.