Question

Which answer choice describes a moment of situational irony in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass?
Responses

Captain Auld sends Douglass to Baltimore so Douglass will be more profitable, but in doing so places Douglass in a position where escape is more attainable.
Captain Auld sends Douglass to Baltimore so Douglass will be more profitable, but in doing so places Douglass in a position where escape is more attainable.

Douglass is hired out to Mr. Gardner and is badly beaten for no reason after being on the job for several months.
Douglass is hired out to Mr. Gardner and is badly beaten for no reason after being on the job for several months.

The masters decide that Douglass has tried to cause trouble among the other enslaved people, and he is sent back to Captain Auld as a result.
The masters decide that Douglass has tried to cause trouble among the other enslaved people, and he is sent back to Captain Auld as a result.

Douglass begins earning a wage and delivers it to Master Hugh every night after work, even though he is not obligated to do so.

Answer 1

The first response describes a moment of situational irony: **"Captain Auld sends Douglass to Baltimore so Douglass will be more profitable, but in doing so places Douglass in a position where escape is more attainable."**

In this case, Captain Auld's intention is to increase his own profit by sending Douglass to a place where he believes he will be more beneficial to him. However, this decision inadvertently provides Douglass with opportunities and conditions that allow for the possibility of escape, which is the opposite of Auld's goal. This creates a clear instance of situational irony.