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Setting
Situational Irony
Explanation and Analysis—The Oiler's Death:
The oiler (also known as Billie) dying at the end of the story is an example of situational irony. His character is physically strong, so when all the men have to swim to the shore lest they drown, he is far ahead of the others. The reader would naturally expect for the most physically fit and most hardworking character to survive. He is even the only one to have a name, which is a symbol of humanity. The name may be taken as a sign of importance, a mark that suggests the named character is less likely to die and more likely to succeed than the unnamed characters.
Related Themes:
