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Question 12 • 2025-2026_MDCPS_1001345_English 2 A-CR

Which excerpt is an example of situational irony in Saki’s "The Storyteller”?

Answer

“Most of the aunt’s remarks seemed to begin with ‘Don’t,’ and nearly all of the children’s remarks began with ‘Why?’ The bachelor said nothing out loud. ‘Don’t, Cyril, don’t,’ exclaimed the aunt, as the small boy began smacking the cushions of the seat, producing a cloud of dust at each blow.”

“The frown on the bachelor’s face was deepening to a scowl. He was a hard, unsympathetic man, the aunt decided in her mind.”

“She repeated the line over and over again in a dreamy but resolute and very audible voice; it seemed to the bachelor as though some one had had a bet with her that she could not repeat the line aloud two thousand times without stopping.”

“‘It’s the stupidest story I’ve ever heard,’ said the bigger of the small girls, with immense conviction. “‘I didn’t listen after the first bit, it was so stupid,’ said Cyril.”

Explanation

Situational irony occurs when the outcome is different from what someone expects. The aunt tells a story intending to entertain the children, but they respond by calling it stupid and saying they did not listen. Their reaction is the opposite of the appreciation she likely expected, so D is the example of situational irony.

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