Question

read the excerpt from part two of trifles. county attorney. oh, i guess theyre not very dangerous things the ladies have picked up. (moves a few things about, disturbing the quilt pieces which cover the box. steps back.) no, mrs. peters doesnt need supervising. for that matter, a sheriffs wife is married to the law. ever think of it that way, mrs. peters? which of the following most accurately describes this excerpt? it is verbal irony because the county attorney means precisely the opposite of what he is actually saying. it is dramatic irony because the audience knows that the county attorney does not actually mean what he is saying. it is situational irony because the county attorney has actually issued a relevant warning to mrs. peters without realizing it. it is not an example of any type of irony because the county attorney is simply making a statement.

Explanation:

The excerpt involves the County Attorney dismissing the women's actions as unimportant, stating a sheriff's wife is "married to the law." This becomes ironic as his unintended implication (a warning about loyalty to the law) contrasts with potential later actions (Mrs. Peters possibly hiding evidence), fitting situational irony.

Answer:

C. It is situational irony because the County Attorney has actually issued a relevant warning to Mrs. Peters without realizing it.