In a literary work, what is irony?
a. an explanation of an event that took place before the story begins
b. an element in a story that evokes pity or compassion for the characters
c. the underlying reason a tragic hero causes a tragedy to happen
d. a situation in which the outcome of events contradicts what is expected
irony - the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect: