Mother Courage and Her Children
by Bertolt Brecht

Mother Courage and Her Children: Situational Irony 1 key example

Scene 11
Explanation and Analysis—Kattrin's Matyrdom:

In Scene 11, an instance of situational irony occurs. Kattrin, whom the peasants use as an excuse for inaction, becomes a martyr. Two peasants, after being threatened by Catholic soldiers, have the following conversation:

OLD PEASANT: But being that we’re alone with that cripple…

PEASANT WOMAN: There’s nothing we can do, is there?

OLD PEASANT: Nothing.