Table of Contents Situational Irony Dramatic Irony Verbal Irony Conclusion Irony is a literary device used to convey a meaning opposite to its literal meaning. In the short story “Desiree's Baby” by Kate Chopin, the author uses irony to highlight social, racial, and gender issues that were prevalent in the American South during the 19th century. Using situational, dramatic and verbal irony, Chopin effectively critiques the prejudices and injustices of the time. This essay will examine the examples of irony in "Desiree's Baby" and how they contribute to the overall themes of the story. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Situational Irony Situational irony occurs when the outcome of a situation is different from what is expected. In "The Desired Baby", the most significant example of situational irony is the revelation of Armand Aubigny's true heritage. Throughout the story, Armand is depicted as a proud and wealthy plantation owner, deeply invested in maintaining the racial hierarchy of the South. However, the story's ultimate twist occurs when it is revealed that it is Armand who has African ancestry, not Désirée. This revelation completely undermines his beliefs and prejudices, highlighting the absurdity of racial discrimination based solely on appearance. Additionally, the fact that Armand was unaware of his own heritage adds another layer of situational irony. Despite his fervent belief in white superiority, he is in fact mixed race himself. This irony serves as a scathing critique of the hypocrisy and ignorance prevalent in society at the time. Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony occurs when the audience or reader knows something that the characters in the story do not. In "Désirée's Baby", dramatic irony is evident in the treatment of Désirée by Armand and his family. Despite it being eventually revealed that Armand is the one of African descent, he blames Desiree for their child's mixed-race heritage. The reader is aware of the child's true paternity, while the characters in the story are not, creating a sense of dramatic irony. Additionally, the dramatic irony is enhanced by the fact that Desiree herself is unaware of her own past. She is adopted by the Valmonde family and raised as white, only to be rejected by Armand when their child's race becomes an issue. This serves to highlight the arbitrary and cruel nature of racial discrimination, and the tragic consequences it can have on individuals. Verbal Irony Verbal irony occurs when a character says something that is the opposite of what they mean. In "Desiree's Baby", the use of verbal irony is evident in the interactions between Armand and Désirée. For example, when Armand blames Désirée for their child’s race, he states, “That means the child is not white; it means that you are not white” (Chopin). This statement is a great example of verbal irony, because the reader knows that it is not Armand himself who is not white, nor Desiree nor their child. Additionally, the last line of the story, "He did not notice that Armand's bonfire that night was unusually large" (Chopin), is a poignant example of verbal irony. The reader understands the significance of the bonfire, which Armand uses to burn all of Désirée's possessions after the revelation of her unknown heritage. This line serves as a chilling reminder of the destructive power of prejudice and ignorance, as well as the devastating consequences of. Armand's actions Keep in mind: this is just one...