Irony In Evan Hunt's The Last Spin

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The Last Spin by Evan Hunt is a short story following the unfolding of a Russian Roulette game between two rival gang members to settle a dispute between the gangs. It critiques blind loyalty for its pointlessness, stupidity and its dangerous consequences. This is done through juxtaposing characterisation, dramatic and situational irony and a sad ending made even more bitter through heavy dialogue.

Hunt shows his distaste for strong loyalty through the contrasting personalities of Tigo and Danny. The Last Spin focuses on characterisation through dialogue, fleshing Tigo and Danny both out past their loyalty to their respective gangs. The two are juxtapositions of each other in several ways and bring each other’s unique traits out. At the start …show more content…

Dramatic irony is used by having the reader understand the stakes of Russian Roulette much clearer than Tigo and Danny. The boys do fear the stakes of the game, shown by Danny’s fear after Tigo adds a second bullet. “Danny hesitated an instant. He did not want to pick up the gun.” (p.g, 6) However, they still choose to keep playing and become more and more confident in every empty chamber to the point where Tigo is worried neither of them will get shot, adding yet another bullet. Their disregard for the danger shown again by their decision on one last spin despite already agreeing to call it off, akin to the title. “The last spin,” Tigo said. “Come on, the last spin”. (p,g. 8) The effect of this dramatic irony frustrates the reader with the character’s disregard for life, creating tension and suspense. Hunt also employs situational irony in the story which similarly also highlights the stupidity of the gang conflict. The situational irony of the characters eagerly playing a game where one of them can die while becoming friends shows the level of their loyalty conveys a similar stupidity to the dramatic irony and makes the reader feel a level of sympathy for them and their oblivious innocence. Using forms of irony to toy with the reader’s emotions, Hunt imprints with the reader how ludicrous blind loyalty can