Question

Read the following passage from Mark Twain's "Cannibalism in the Cars."

"The election soon developed into a bitter contest. The board of nomination... reported a list of candidates... A ballot was taken, and the result was that no one was elected; another ballot was taken, and then another, but without effect. It was plain that the election must ultimately go to the one candidate upon whom the opposition would finally center... I saw that the time had come. I said I thought it was time to drop personalities and elect a man who could be of service to us... I nominated John Murphy of Massachusetts."

The narrator describes the election process for a candidate.

The phrase "a man who could be of service to us" is primarily an example of:

(1 point)
Responses

Understatement, because the phrase "of service" downplays the very serious and dangerous situation the men are in.
Understatement , because the phrase "of service" downplays the very serious and dangerous situation the men are in.

Sarcasm, because the "service" the candidate will provide is to be eaten, which is a grim and contrasts with the noble language.
Sarcasm , because the "service" the candidate will provide is to be eaten, which is a grim and contrasts with the noble language.

Hyperbole, because the author is exaggerating the importance of the election to make it seem more dramatic than it really is.
Hyperbole , because the author is exaggerating the importance of the election to make it seem more dramatic than it really is.

Verbal Irony, because the narrator is saying the exact opposite of what he means in order to be directly insulting to John Murphy.

Answer 1

Understatement, because the phrase "of service" downplays the very serious and dangerous situation the men are in.