Identifying Dramatic Irony in Satire

Hard Prose Analysis Irony And Satire

Consider the following excerpt from a satirical novel where the protagonist, a self-proclaimed genius, attends a dinner party intended for the town’s elite. Throughout the evening, he boasts of his innovative ideas for improving local parks, which involve enormous budgets and extravagant measures. As he describes a plan to install gold-plated benches, the guests nod in polite laughter, unaware that the protagonist's plans are fully preposterous and only meant to highlight the absurdity of unchecked wealth in local governance. The irony here stems from the disconnection between the protagonist's lofty aspirations and the reality of the guests' superficial order.

Which of the following best identifies the type of irony employed in this excerpt?

Verbal irony, where the protagonist's claims are in stark contrast to their actual intentions.

Dramatic irony, where the audience understands the absurdity of the protagonist's plans, but the guests do not.

Situational irony, where the outcome is the opposite of what is expected from the protagonist's actions.

Cosmic irony, highlighting the protagonist's futile attempts to change an ingrained social structure.

Romantic irony, revealing the conflict between the protagonist's ideals and societal realities.

Hint

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