Question

Irony is when something turns out exactly the opposite of the way that was expected. What is ironic about the Lion and the Tiger's adventure? Or, what makes the end of the Lion and Tiger's adventure so funny? Use quotes from the text when you are explaining your reply.

Answer 1

L. Frank Baum’s “The Cowardly Lion and Hungry Tiger,” begins with the Cowardly Lion deciding he wants to tear a person to pieces and the Hungry Tiger deciding he wants to eat a “fat baby.” The story progresses with the lion and tiger walking around the Emerald City looking for a person and a baby.  However, when they find the objects of their quest, instead of tearing the person to pieces, the lion helps her up after she falls down and “with much gentleness carried her into her house.”  And, instead of eating a lost baby the tiger finds crying for its mother, the tiger “safely deposited [it] beside its mother,” which just so happens to be the same person the lion helps.  Irony can be seen here in how the opposites of the beginning intentions of their adventure occur—helping instead of killing.