Question

Which identifies an instance of irony in "The Convict and the Bishop"?

A. The residents of the village are unwilling to welcome Valjean, a former prisoner, for the night.

B. Jean Valjean experiences an internal conflict over how to handle the bishops kindness.

C. Madame Magloire distrusts Valjean, even though the bishop tells her she must.

D. When the police bring Valjean to the bishops house, he gives Valjean the candlesticks to match the plates he stole

Please only answer if you're 100% positive that your answer is correct

Answer 1

D. When the police bring Valjean to the Bishops house, he gives Valjean the candlesticks to match the plates he stole.

Irony is defined as an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects. It result is often amusing.

Valjean was a convict, that is why the residents of the village were unwilling to welcome him. They fear that being a convict, he will commit crimes against them. Their belief was made true when Valjean stole from Bishop Myriel. However, instead of getting angry and filing charges against him, as is the norm, Bishop Myriel willingly offered his possessions to Valjean. Bishop Myriel believes that Valjean committed his crime because of great need. Thus, his offer of help.

Answer 2

An irony can be defined as an occurrence, event or state of affair that is contrary to what is normally expected. For the above question, the correct option is D. This is because, when the police brought Valjean the thief to the Bishop's house, one does not normally expect that the bishop will go ahead and give the thief the candlesticks that can be used together with the plates that the thief stole at first.