Short Answer 
Mrs. Crater’s statement about her strong attachment to Lucynell is ironically contradicted by her action of giving her daughter away for a monetary gain, showcasing a deeper inconsistency in her values. The main irony lies in the contrast between her professed love and her willingness to sell her daughter, rather than other interpretations surrounding Lucynell’s abilities.
Step 1: Understanding Mrs. Crater’s Statement
Mrs. Crater makes a striking statement when she claims, “I wouldn’t give her up for nothing on earth.” This assertion appears to display her strong attachment to her daughter, Lucynell. However, the irony is that despite this bold declaration, she seeks to give her daughter away for a minimal exchange, which highlights the contradiction between her words and actions.
Step 2: Recognizing the Irony in Actions
The central irony comes into play when Mrs. Crater actually pays Mr. Shiftlet to marry Lucynell, which starkly contrasts her professed love and care for her daughter. Instead of valuing Lucynell above all, Mrs. Crater’s willingness to part with her for monetary gain reflects a deeper irony. This disparity between her protective claims and her actions serves as a critical commentary on her true values.
Step 3: Analyzing Other Perspectives
While there might be other interpretations regarding Mrs. Crater’s view of Lucynell’s capabilities, they do not capture the main irony in the excerpt. For example, highlighting Lucynell’s skills or Mrs. Crater’s hope to find a suitor fails to address the bigger contradiction of claiming to value her daughter while simultaneously giving her away. The true irony lies in the juxtaposition of Mrs. Crater’s stated feelings with her actual decisions.