Question

February 7, 1986, amid massive protests in Haiti, Jean-Claude flees the country. There is a blizzard in New York, but this does not prevent jubilant Haitians from taking to the snowy streets, waving flags, honking horns, pouring champagne. Restaurants in Brooklyn serve up free food and drink. The Duvalier regime has finally come to an end. The New Year's prediction has finally come true. If he leaves, I leave. In July, I fulfill my destiny, more or less. I return to Haiti, on an American passport, for a two-week visit.

Situational irony is a contrast between what a reader, character, or person expects and what actually happens. What is ironic about the situation the author describes?

Answer 1

The situational irony is found in the contrast between the jubilation of Haitians celebrating Duvalier's departure in a New York blizzard and the author's own subdued return to Haiti with an American passport, symbolizing the country's complicated history with the U.S.

Step-by-step explanation:

The situational irony in the author’s account pertains to the celebration of Jean-Claude Duvalier’s departure from Haiti, juxtaposed with the personal story of the author who returns to Haiti for a visit.

The irony lies in the contrast between the jubilation of Haitians in New York, despite the adverse conditions of a blizzard, and the author's more subdued personal journey, marked by the fact that they return on an American passport, an emblem of the complex relationship between Haiti and the United States.

This passport signifies that the author is returning to a nation that has seen multiple invasions and occupations by the U.S., a history that somewhat taints the notion of a triumphant return.