Question

In a paragraph, discuss the irony evident in “The Black Sheep” Think about who is labeled as the “black sheep” and how this contrasts with what we typically think of when we hear this term.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

The term "black sheep" is usually used for a person that is standing out as a disgrace or a less valuable member of a group, society, or a family.

That is why the name of the story is irony - it completely turned around in this context, deliberately taking the different meanings to humor us and how the bizarreness of the situation. The person who is standing out of this society should not be considered disgrace as he is the only honest man. Yet, he is considered to be a disgrace for that kind of society that values thievery and dishonesty. While he possessed good qualities, in society that doesn't value them he is the odd man out who is afterward punished because of his actions and beliefs.

If we think of the label black sheep we will certainly think of someone dishonest, liar, thief, and a bad person; by that meaning, every other citizen of the story should be black sheep.

But by calling the only honest man "the black sheep" author puts an accent on the fact how unscrupulous and immoral the citizens are, and to underline the peculiarity of the situation, pointing us the definite theme on this satire of the society that values dishonest people more than those who are rigorous and well behaved.