Situational Irony In The Crucible

Are you looking for an instance of situational irony? Learn more than well-nigh this literary device, and accept a wait at a few examples from archetype literature.

There are numerous types of irony, including dramatic irony, verbal irony, and situational irony. This form of irony takes place when something dissimilar happens when compared to what was expected. One of the well-nigh mutual everyday examples of situational irony is a fire station that burns down. Obviously, people await the burn down department to put out fires. Therefore, the fire station burning down is completely unexpected.

Situational irony tin can also be used as a powerful literary device to communicate certain types of messages. If you are curious about an example of situational irony, take a look at some of the top examples from classic literature.

1. The Gift of the Magi from O. Henry

Published in 1905, The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry has situational irony at its cadre. In The Gift of the Magi, a poor immature couple gives up their about important possessions to buy one some other Christmas gifts. She sells her long hair to purchase a chain for her husband, who has a valuable pocketwatch. In contrast, he sells his pocketwatch to purchase a beautiful set of combs for his wife's long hair.

Of class, neither of them can use the gifts they got for each other. Considering the married man sold his pocket watch, the chain he got from his wife is no longer useful. Furthermore, because the wife sold her long hair, she is no longer able to utilise the combs her husband got for her. Given the gifts that the couple purchased for each other, this is the contrary of what people expect to happen in this state of affairs. This type of incongruity in an ironic situation makes this a famous case of situational irony.

The Souvenir of the Magi

Henry O (Author)
English (Publication Linguistic communication)
18 Pages - 04/27/2011 (Publication Appointment) - SMK Books (Publisher)

2. Harry Potter Serial by J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter book series is one of the most pop series of all time. There are numerous examples of situational irony in this storied collection. For case, Voldemort is closely associated with bringing instant death to those he is associated with; however, Voldemort actually dies subsequently attacking baby Harry. He believes information technology volition secure his immortality, simply the opposite takes place.

Furthermore, throughout the early role of the serial, people believe that Professor Snape is evil. In the end, it turns out that he is actually Harry Potter's protector. These are merely a couple of examples of situational irony from classic literature.

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Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-seven)

Make New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
J. K. Rowling (Writer)
English (Publication Language)
07/01/2009 (Publication Date) - Arthur A. Levine Books (Publisher)

three. The Cask of Amontillado past Edgar Allen Poe

An example of situational irony — The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe

The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe, published in 1846, takes identify in a carnival in Italy. The story follows a man equally he seeks revenge on a friend who he believes has wronged him. Throughout the story, there are several examples of situational irony.

1 of the commencement examples of situational irony in this book can exist found in the names of i of the characters. Fortunado's proper name means fortunate; all the same, he is anything merely that. He is lured into the catacombs during the story before being buried alive past Montresor, an example of situational irony.

There is some other example of situational irony in this story equally well. Throughout the story, Fortunado is dressed equally a jester. This indicates that he should exist getting ready for a fun dark. At one point, he even believes that Montresor's actions are a good joke. Of grade, the story turns out to exist the verbal contrary of a joke, as the dark ends desperately for Fortunado.

The Cask of Amontillado

Poe, Edgar Allan (Author)
English language (Publication Linguistic communication)
26 Pages - 05/05/2015 (Publication Appointment) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)

iv. The Crucible by Arthur Miller

The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is a play published in 1953. Information technology tells the story of the Salem witch trials dramatically. The story contains numerous examples of irony, including situational irony. During the story, John Proctor has an affair with a former employee of his, Abigail Williams. Then, Abigail Williams (his mistress) falsely accuses John Proctor's wife, Elizabeth Proctor, of being possessed by a demon.

As the story unfolds, John is asked to recite the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are supposed to testify his dedication to Christianity. As he recites them, he lists a total of ix. He repeats 1 to get to ten. Ironically, the 1 he forgot was infidelity. His married woman, Elizabeth, reminds him that he is forgetting the commandment against adultery. While this serves as a source of comic relief, it is also an example of situational irony considering John somehow forgets the commandment that he has just cleaved.

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The Crucible

Arthur Miller (Author)
English (Publication Language)
95 Pages - 11/01/1982 (Publication Date) - Dramatists Play Service, Inc. (Publisher)

5. The Pardoner's Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Pardoner's Tale, by Geoffrey Chaucer, is ane of the famous Canterbury Tales. Published around 1400, it follows The Physician's Tale and precedes The Shipman'due south Tale. Subsequently the depressing tale near the physician, the host desires to hear something positive, prompting The Pardoner'southward Tale. The Pardoner tells the story of a group of immature Flemish individuals who spend their fourth dimension partying, drinking, and having a ball. Later on ane of the friends passes away, the remaining friends go on an risk to destroy death.

In that location is too a prime case of situational irony during the story. The pardoner himself is a hypocritical man. During the story, he states that greed is the root of evil; however, throughout the story, he acts in a greedy fashion, which is the exact contrary of what people expect him to do.

During the story, he sells pardons to people, saying that it is the only way they can become into heaven. Instead of giving the money to the church, he keeps it for himself. 1 of the pardons he cells is to forgive someone for the sin of existence materialistic. The pardoner is so materialistic and greedy himself that he steals from the drove handbasket at the church. Throughout the story, the pardoner consistently preaches against the vices he exhibits.

6. Everyday Examples of Situational Irony

In add-on to numerous examples of situational irony establish in literature, you lot may see situational irony in your everyday life as well. A few mutual examples of situational irony include:

You may complain that yous have to stop at the ATM to get some cash. Then, when y'all open up your wallet to pull out your ATM card, yous may realize that you lot already have cash in your wallet.
Someone may post a tweet on Twitter complaining that Twitter is not a proficient social media platform and should not communicate data.
Immediately after you've mopped the flooring, someone spills a drink.
Two people agree to go on a blind appointment. So, before they make it for the date, they realize they already know each other.

Even though the situational irony is a common literary element, you lot can observe it in everyday life. If you go on your eyes open, y'all might spot a few of these everyday examples of situational irony yourself.

Terminal Word on Situational Irony

In the end, situational irony is a pregnant literary device. It takes identify when the exact reverse happens when compared to what was expected. There are numerous reasons why someone might apply situational irony in their writing. Sometimes, information technology is crucial to keep the reader on their toes. You don't want the reader always to predict what will happen next.

In other cases, situational irony is important for communicating an important theme or message to the reader. Sometimes, situational irony is exhibited by a character throughout the story to evidence a personality trait that someone should avoid.

If there is a lesson for the reader, situational irony can communicate that. Keep your optics open up for situational irony the next time yous read. It may deepen your understanding of the text.

Want more? Check our detailed list of irony examples.

FAQs Most Situational Irony

Are there whatsoever authors who are famous for using situational irony?

Yes, Guy De Maupassant, William Shakespeare, and Kate Chopin are famous for using situational irony. This form of irony is institute in Romeo and Juliet. You can too find situational irony in a well-known movie, The Sixth Sense. Some other famous case of situational irony is the story of Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles.

What are three irony examples?

Situational irony occurs when the exact contrary of what was expected to happen takes place. Dramatic irony takes place when the reader knows something that the characters do not. Exact irony takes place when the literal meaning of what the character says is not really the accepted meaning of those words. All forms of irony tin be used in literature.

Why does a writer use situational irony?

One of the well-nigh common reasons why a author might use situational irony is to inject some comic relief into the story. Writers too use situational irony to add twists to the story. Information technology helps to concur the attention of the reader and keeps the reader on his or her toes during a thrilling adventure.

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