What is situational irony?
Situational irony is a literary device where the outcome of a situation is completely different from what was expected or intended. It involves a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens.
Situational irony can add depth and complexity to a story, as it often catches readers off guard and forces them to reconsider their expectations. This type of irony can create tension, suspense, and surprise in a narrative, making it an effective tool for engaging audiences.
One classic example of situational irony is the story of "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, where a husband and wife each sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a gift for the other, only to find that the gifts are now useless without the items they sold.
What kind of irony does this story contain?
This story contains situational irony.
This story contains what kind of irony?
- verbal irony
- dramatic irony
- situational irony
- historical irony
Answer: situational irony
Explanation: Situational irony is when the outcome of a situation is different from what was expected. In this story, the unexpected turn of events exhibits situational irony.