Question

In part two of Trifles, which of the following is an example of dramatic irony?
The audience knows Mrs. Hale has the dead bird in her coat pocket, but the men in the story do not.
Mrs. Hale feels guilty about not visiting Mrs. Wright, but Mrs. Peters reassures her that this is not her fault.
The men in the story do not find any evidence outside in the barn, so they decide to search upstairs again.
Mrs. Peters talks about how she knows what loneliness feels like, but Mrs. Hale interrupts her before she can finish

Answer 1

"The audience knows Mrs. Hale has the dead bird in her coat pocket, but the men in the story do not."

This is dramatic irony because the audience (and the women) know the bird has been hidden, while the men remain unaware. The audience's extra knowledge creates tension and highlights the characters' differing perspectives.