Situational irony is when actions in a story have the opposite effect of what was intended. Many great novels and short stories use situational irony to set the tone or theme of the plot. There are many similarities and differences between “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe and “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry in the use of irony. For example, in “The Cask of Amontillado”, situational, verbal, and dramatic irony are demonstrated to show how Montresor gets revenge on Fortunato. However, only situational irony is used in “The Gift of the Magi”. In “ The Cask of Amontillado”, situational irony is displayed when there is a party upstairs, which shows celebration and fun, but Fortunato is being buried alive in the vaults, ultimately …show more content…
Moreover, situational irony is being used similarly because it is showing how the opposite is happening of what was intended. The situational irony in “The Gift of the Magi” sets the theme of loving someone so much they are willing to sacrifice something to make them happy and an overall emotional yet happy tone. An example of their sacrifice for each other was, “Something fine and rare and sterling- something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim” (Henry 204). For instance, Della tells Jim how much she loves him when they realize that they both gave up something they love for one another, “... but nobody could ever count my love for your” ( 206). “The Cask of Amontillado” uses situational irony to further show how revenge can destroy lives, happiness, and relationships, which is the theme of the story, “... to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.” (234). Situational irony is utilized to support the theme in both of the short stories, but are used to contrast different