Rip Van Winkle
by Washington Irving

Rip Van Winkle: Situational Irony 1 key example

Situational Irony
Explanation and Analysis—An Epic Nap:

In a twist of situational irony, Rip's homecoming as a newly-minted folk hero is a big let-down:

It was with some difficulty that he found the way to his own house, which he approached with silent awe, expecting every moment to hear the shrill voice of Dame Van Winkle. He found the house gone to decay[.]