Situational Irony

Situational Irony is performed major causes of Fugui's fate throughout the story. He gambles with LongEr and loses all of his money, changing from a rich landlord to a poor peasant; he runs into the town to get a doctor for his mother, but is captured by Nationalist and drafted into the army; when he finally realizes the significance of staying together as a family, Youqing, Jiazhen, and Fengxia passes away. Although he might have the most miserable destiny in the book, he is the only one alive to experience these pains.

Other characters experience situational irony as well. LongEr, although gains all the wealth Fugui once has, he is executed for his wealth. Youqing, who is so passionate about donating blood to save the wife of the county magistrate, sacrifices his life and all of his blood. More ironically, the magistrate is an old friend of Fugui; Chunsheng is drafted into Nationalist Army with Fugui. Chunsheng is the magistrate, highly respected by the public; but when the Cultural Revolution starts, he is "tied up and beaten every day" (Yu 199). Worst of all, the magistrate hangs himself to avoid all the pain of living.

In addition to individual characters' story, the society is full of irony as well. The Red Guards are frightening to people instead of helping. When the Comrade Red Guard Leader comes into their village, she screams at the team leader and identifies him as the capitalist roader. Although everyone in the village knows him and admires him, the team leader is still taken away and beaten. The Red Guards are acting as mafias, as what I would think, instead of people just keeping order; their action is ruthless.

Another irony is the policy. During Cultural Revolution, the Communist Party demands all people to destroy tools in their houses, so everyone is equal. However, not long after, the team leader announces again: " From tomorrow on, the dining hall will be closed. Everybody better hurry up and go into town to buy pots. It'll be just like before: Every family will cook for themselves" (Yu 120).