There is one incredible present that many authors wish they can get for Christmas. It can be something their reader knows, but one of their characters does not. This present can be a significant thing a character says in a story. The gift can also be a coincidence that the author plans. It is so ironic that many works of literature use the present. This fantastic present is irony. Irony is such a great addition to literature that O. Henry and Edgar Allen Poe used it in their short stories “The Gift of the Magi” and “The Cask of Amontillado”, respectively. In like manner, both of these works include situational irony. To add on, both of the ironies consist of characters celebrating for a particular cause. On the other hand, the main characters
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It is her most cherished possession. However, Della must sell her hair to buy her husband, Jim, a Christmas present because she does not have enough money. Meanwhile, Jim must sell his prized object, his watch, to buy Della a gift for Christmas. Afterwards, when Christmas Eve arrives, Jim reveals to Della that he bought her some expensive combs for her hair, but she has no hair left. When Della reveals to Jim that she bought him a fob chain for his watch, he says, “Let’s put our Christmas presents away and keep ’em a while. They’re too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs” (Henry 207). As a result of this irony, neither Della nor Jim have use for their presents. “The Cask of Amontillado” uses situational irony in similar fashion. While Montresor and Fortunato are under the Montresor family’s palace, there is a great celebration and partying above. This is ironic because the gloomy setting contrasts to the jovial setting of the festival. Although this is a great example of irony, there are still other examples within “The Cask of Amontillado.” Firstly, when the two men are underground, Montresor makes a toast, “And I to your long life” (Poe
It is her most cherished possession. However, Della must sell her hair to buy her husband, Jim, a Christmas present because she does not have enough money. Meanwhile, Jim must sell his prized object, his watch, to buy Della a gift for Christmas. Afterwards, when Christmas Eve arrives, Jim reveals to Della that he bought her some expensive combs for her hair, but she has no hair left. When Della reveals to Jim that she bought him a fob chain for his watch, he says, “Let’s put our Christmas presents away and keep ’em a while. They’re too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs” (Henry 207). As a result of this irony, neither Della nor Jim have use for their presents. “The Cask of Amontillado” uses situational irony in similar fashion. While Montresor and Fortunato are under the Montresor family’s palace, there is a great celebration and partying above. This is ironic because the gloomy setting contrasts to the jovial setting of the festival. Although this is a great example of irony, there are still other examples within “The Cask of Amontillado.” Firstly, when the two men are underground, Montresor makes a toast, “And I to your long life” (Poe