Read the following passage from "First Confession" in which the main character has just entered the confessional. It must have been then that I noticed the shelf at about one height with my head. It was really a place for grown-up people to rest their elbows, but in my distracted state I thought it was probably the place you were supposed to kneel. Of course, it was on the high side and not very deep, but I was always good at climbing and managed to get up all right. Staying up was the trouble... "What are you doing up there?" he shouted in an angry voice, and the strain the politeness was putting on my hold of the molding, and the shock of being addressed in such an uncivil tone, were too much for me. I lost my grip, tumbled, hit the door an unmerciful allop before I found myself flat on my back in the middle of the aisle. The people who had been waiting stood with their mouths open. The priest opened the door of the middle box and came out, pushing his biretta back from his forehead; he looked something terrible. Which of the following stylistic elements is used by the writer to create humor in these lines? (1 point) Responses hyperbole hyperbole incongruity incongruity irony irony sarcasm sarcasm Skip to navigation
The stylistic element used by the writer to create humor in these lines is incongruity. The main character's misunderstanding of the shelf in the confessional as a place to kneel rather than rest elbows creates a humorous situation.
The stylistic element used by the writer to create humor in these lines is incongruity.
To determine which stylistic element the writer uses to create humor in these lines, we need to analyze the passage that you provided. In this passage, the main character mistakenly climbs up onto a shelf in the confessional, thinking it is where he is supposed to kneel. The writer then uses stylistic elements to create a humorous effect.
One stylistic element used here is incongruity. The main character's mistaken belief that the shelf is the appropriate place to kneel in the confessional is inconsistent and unexpected. It is funny because it is a silly misunderstanding that leads to an awkward and comical situation. The discrepancy between the intended purpose of the shelf and the main character's interpretation creates a sense of humor.
Additionally, there is irony in this passage. The main character's attempt to climb up onto the shelf, thinking it is the correct position for confession, demonstrates his lack of knowledge or experience. The irony lies in the fact that he mistakenly tries to reach a higher position when the act of confession is typically associated with humility and repentance.
By utilizing these stylistic elements of incongruity and irony, the writer effectively creates a humorous tone in this passage.