Situational Irony In Margaret Atwood's There Was Once

Peter Ustinov once said, “Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.” In the short story “There was Once” by Margaret Atwood, the author describes Western culture stereotypes by questioning them to such extremes that the narrator is finally incapable to tell her/his story. The author uses the high comedy, humorous elements of situational irony and hyperboles to communicate the theme that meaning and importance can be lost in over-generalization or over- specificity.
One of the comedic effects the author uses in this short story is situational irony.
Situational irony is irony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected. In paragraph 3, the line says “Who lived with her wicked stepmother in a house in the suburbs." This is evidence of situational irony. You wouldn’t expect a house in the suburbs when you’re telling a fairy tale. The author uses this sentence to make the reader surprised when you’re reading this sentence. Also, In the first paragraph, the line says "There was once a poor girl, as beautiful as she was good,” This is also another piece of …show more content…
Hyperboles are exaggerated statements or claim not meant to be taken literally. In paragraph 29, the line says “Everything is about you.” This is evidence of hyperbole. This means that all you talk about is yourself and nothing else. The author uses this sentence to show more drama in this short story. In paragraph 28, the line says “And stepmothers-they always get it in the neck.” This doesn’t mean that step-mothers actually get in your neck, it’s an exaggeration of saying that stepmothers just want to know what you’re doing at all times. The author uses this sentence to show a more efficient way of saying the line than through plain language. These are 2 examples of hyperboles. It’s just an easier way to communicate ideas, emotions, and