Question

early in the novel, kemmerich, pauls classmate, has his leg amputated after contracting gangrene, and he dies a miserable, painful death. later in the novel, paul goes home and visits kemmerichs mother, and she demands to know how her son died. paul lies to her by telling her that kemmerich died quickly with little pain and suffering: i tell her he was shot through the heart and died instantaneously. when paul lies to kemmerichs mother, is it an example of dramatic, situational or verbal irony? (hint: we know that paul is lying to kemmerichs mother, but kemmerichs mother does not know that.)
dramatic irony
situational irony
verbal irony
2 multiple - choice 1 point
paul and his classmates hate kantorek, their school teacher, because he really encouraged them to join the army and fight in wwi. soon after they all enlist, many of these same classmates start to die. after they receive a letter from kantorek, muller throws his cigarette away and says: i wish he was here. what type of irony is it when muller says something that is the opposite of what he means? (hint: would you want someone there with you whom you blame for the deaths of your friends?)
dramatic irony
situational irony
verbal irony

Explanation:

1. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not. Paul knows the truth about Kemmerich's death but lies to his mother. She is unaware of the truth, so this is dramatic irony.
2. Verbal irony is when a person says one thing but means the opposite. Muller saying "I wish he was here" when he blames Kantorek for the deaths of friends is an example of saying the opposite of what he really means, so it is verbal irony.

Answer:

1. A. Dramatic Irony
2. C. Verbal Irony