Situational irony is a literary device or rhetorical device in which there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. In other words, the outcome of a situation is incongruent with what the audience or characters anticipate. This type of irony often involves a twist or an unexpected conclusion that can evoke surprise, humor, or even tragic realization.
For example:
- Fire Station Burns Down: A fire station, which is expected to be the safest place from fire accidents, unexpectedly catches on fire.
- Lifeguard Drowning: A lifeguard who is trained to save others from drowning ends up drowning themselves.
- A Traffic Cop Gets a Ticket: A police officer who enforces traffic laws receives a ticket for a violation of those same laws.
In each of these examples, the outcome is surprising and contradicts conventional expectations, which is the essence of situational irony.
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