Question

Examples of irony in the Balek Scales?

Answer 1

Irony is a figure of speech wherein the written or spoken words means the opposite of said words.

The following irony found in the Balek Scales are the following:

1.) scales - in Balek Scales, the scales are used to measure the weight of the mushrooms found so that the Balek family will pay the corresponding amount of said weight. It is ironic because the scale did not show the correct weight of the mushrooms because a pound weight was already placed to manipulate the weight of the mushrooms enabling the Balek family to shortchange the children on their mushroom produce.

2.) New Year's Eve - this is a time for celebration but due to the discovery of the Balek family's duplicity, the villagers did not enjoy their festivities and were cold towards the Balek family.

3.) "The justice of this earth, Oh Lord, hath put thee to death" - these were the words uttered by the village people when Frau Balek confronted them of their behavior. It is ironic because even though the village people uttered these words towards the Balek family, the village people were the ones put to death as the Balek family ordered for the retrieval of the stolen book and Balek scale.