Question

Use the statement about the novel Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson to complete the activity. In the autobiographical novel, Jacqueline's mother sees her writing and says, "Just so long as you're not writing about our family." A child at this point in the novel, Jacqueline does not know she will become an author who will eventually write this autobiography about her family. Select the correct answer from the list. This statement represents (a. dramatic, b. verbal, c. situational) irony.

Answer 1

Answer: c. situational irony.

Explanation: The mother's remark sets up the expectation that Jacqueline won't write about the family, but the outcome is the opposite—she later writes this autobiography about them. That reversal of expected outcome is situational irony (not verbal sarcasm and not primarily dramatic irony).