Final answer:
Thurber's essay "The Day the Dam Broke" utilizes situational irony to create a humorous and exaggerated story about a non-existent disaster. This use of irony satirically comments on human behavior and mass hysteria, adding depth to the overall humor and social commentary of the essay.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of irony illustrated throughout the whole of Thurber’s essay "The Day the Dam Broke" is situational irony. This irony contributes to the essay's overall effect by creating a humorous and exaggerated narrative of the events. In situational irony, what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate, which is clearly depicted in the essay as the residents of Columbus, Ohio, panic without a real reason.
In Thurber's account, residents flee in a mass hysteria after mistakenly believing that a dam has broken. The situation is ironic because there was no actual threat; the dam was intact all along. The irony enhances the humor and emphasizes the absurdity of the mass panic, a satirical commentary on human behavior and the propensity for irrational fear.
The essay's overall effect is further accomplished through Thurber’s exploration of human nature and societal reactions. As readers, we are compelled to laugh at the over-the-top reactions of the characters, while also perhaps recognizing similar tendencies in ourselves or our society. Through the use of situational irony, Thurber creates a memorable narrative that leaves a lasting impression about the follies of human nature.