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Question

Question
Select the type of irony used in each story.(1 point)
situational irony dramatic irony
In O. Henry's short story "The Gift of the Magi," Della cuts off her long, beautiful hair and sells it to buy a watch chain for her husband's prized pocket watch. Jim, her husband, sells his pocket watch to buy an ornate brush for his wife, Della.

In the autobiographical novel, Brown Girl Dreaming, Jacqueline's mother sees her wiring and says, "Just so long as you are not writing about our family." At this point in the novel, Jacqueline is a child who does not know what she will become an author and will eventually write this autobiography about her family.

Answer 1

Let's analyze both stories for their type of irony:

1. In O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," the irony present is situational irony. This is because both Della and Jim make sacrifices with the intention of giving each other gifts that would enhance the other's most valued possession, only to find that their gifts are now useless. The outcome is unexpected and contrary to what they aimed for.

2. In "Brown Girl Dreaming," the irony is dramatic irony. The reader knows that Jacqueline will grow up to be an author who writes about her family, while her mother makes a statement that implies she hopes Jacqueline won’t write about them. This creates a contrast between the mother's knowledge at that moment and the audience's knowledge of Jacqueline's future.

So, the answers are:

1. Situational irony
2. Dramatic irony