Sunday, August 8, 2010

The Sun Also Rises: Situational Irony

When Brett's fiance Mike finds out that Brett had an affair with Robert Cohn, he was angry and upset to say the least. After he heard the news, he would go out, party, and drink excessively. Mike would get pretty drunk, and then he would say things to Cohn that made him feel uncomfortable and discriminated against. One night, things escalated and a fight began between the two men. Even though Cohn was antagonizing Mike about the affair, Cohn didn't even think to put any of the blame on Brett. Even though it was Brett who invited Cohn to go to San Sebastian, Mike doesn't really take much of his anger out on Brett. I thought Mike's reaction would be completely different because Brett's actions really caused the problem in the first place. The whole affair could have been avoided if Brett wouldn't have invited Cohn to travel with her. I think this could be classified as situational irony because I expected Mike to be extremely upset with Brett and call the marriage off right away. What actually happened was completely different from what would be appropriate to happen.

"I'm not clever. But I do know when I'm not wanted. Why don't you see when you're not wanted, Cohn? Go away. Go away, for God's sake. Take that sad Jewish face away." -Mike

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