In "Harrison Bergeron," the text refers to one of the ballerinas: She must have been extraordinarily beautiful, because the mask she wore was hideous." If the true purpose of the mask was to make people equal and not feel bad, then the mask would have to prevent people from knowing how beautiful the person was. What is this an example of?
A. Sarcasm
B. Ridicule
C. Irony (my answer)
Possibly. I’d say A.
Your answer, C. Irony, is correct.
Irony is a literary device that involves a discrepancy between what is said or expected and what actually occurs. In the given passage from "Harrison Bergeron," the situation is ironic because the purpose of the mask, which is to make people equal and prevent others from feeling bad, contradicts its outcome. The phrase "She must have been extraordinarily beautiful, because the mask she wore was hideous" is ironic because it implies that the mask fails to hide the ballerina's beauty, thereby highlighting the irony of the situation.
To arrive at this answer, you can analyze the context, understanding the intended purpose of the mask and its effect, and recognize the contradiction between the two. By considering the author's intention and the meaning conveyed through the text, you can accurately identify the literary device employed, in this case, irony.