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Two Examples Of Situational Irony In Harrison Bergeron

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The short story “Harrison Bergeron” contains quite a bit of irony. In this particular period of time, all people are required to be the equal physically and mentally. If they are superior to other people, they will be forced to wear handicaps in order reduce their capabilities to make them like other normal people. The story contains examples of situational, verbal and dramatic irony. Situational irony occurs when there is a situation which appears to have an assumed conclusion, but then something ironic happens and the end result is different than what was expected. Harrison, the unique son of George and Hazel, is a tall, strong man who is attempting to overthrow the government. He manages to break out of jail and takes control of the television station, declaring himself the Emperor. Just as it appears that he is going to succeed in his takeover, the Handicapper General came into the studio. ”She fired twice, and the Emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the floor.” This is not the expected outcome and creates irony in this situation. …show more content…

George has just experienced a sharp noise from the mental handicap radio in his ear. It sounded to him like a twenty-one gun salute. He winces from the sound. Hazel has just finished saying that she wishes she could hear all the sounds as they would be interesting. “Gee - I could tell that one was a doozy,” said Hazel. “You can say that again,” said George. “Gee-”said Hazel, “I could tell that one was a doozy.” Hazel is enforcing the fact that she is of average intelligence, both by wanting to hear the sounds that are obviously causing her husband a lot of pain as well as by not understanding his sarcastic comment and, instead, innocently repeats her

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