Question

Which description is an example of dramatic irony?
Responses

A person is asked how something tastes, and he states that it is awful and then proceeds to eat several more bites.
A person is asked how something tastes, and he states that it is awful and then proceeds to eat several more bites. - no response given

A wife cuts and sells her hair to buy a watch chain for her husband, who has sold his watch to buy combs for her hair.
A wife cuts and sells her hair to buy a watch chain for her husband, who has sold his watch to buy combs for her hair. - no response given

A marriage counselor files for divorce from her fourth husband.
A marriage counselor files for divorce from her fourth husband. - no response given

A roofing contractor on a multistory building has a fear of heights.
A roofing contractor on a multistory building has a fear of heights. - no response given

Answer 1

None of these is an example of dramatic irony.

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience (or reader) knows something that a character does not. None of the four choices fit that pattern.

Brief classifications:
- A (says it's awful but keeps eating): verbal irony or hypocrisy/sarcasm.
- B (wife sells hair; husband sells watch): situational irony (an unexpected, twist outcome — classic O. Henry-type irony).
- C (marriage counselor divorces fourth husband): situational irony or ironic contrast.
- D (roofing contractor afraid of heights): situational irony (contradiction between job and fear).