Sally's question in a shocking accident about the pig is ironic because

It is a result of a similar inquiry that disconnected Jerome from others frames a more tightly bond amongst Jerome and Sally.

As Jerome grows up he finds that individuals can't resist snickering when he informs them regarding his dad's demise. What makes it particularly interesting is that his dad was a kind of neo-sentimental would-be Byronic sort of man. Jerome is frequently compelled to tell about the episode since his dad was a genuinely understood author who had distributed many books and articles.