Question

3.4.3 test (cst): wrap-up: the american narrative
read the following excerpt from mark twains life on the mississippi.

when his boat blew up at last, it diffused a tranquil
contentment among us such as we had not known for
months. but when he came home the next week, alive,
renowned, and appeared in church all battered up and
bandaged, a shining hero, stared at and wondered over by
everybody, it seemed to us that the partiality of providence
for an undeserving reptile had reached a point where it
was open to criticism.

how does twain use irony in this excerpt?

a. to exaggerate the cub engineer’s imperfections and emphasize
his smug attitude

b. to contrast the concern the boys should have felt with the
satisfaction they really felt

c. to describe the difference between the way the cub engineer and
the boys viewed his injuries

d. to show that the cub engineer felt satisfied with himself when he
should have been thankful

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option A: The excerpt doesn't focus on exaggerating the engineer's imperfections or his smug attitude. The irony is about the boys' feelings and the situation, not his personal traits. So A is incorrect.
2. Analyze Option B: The boys felt "tranquil contentment" when the boat blew up (implying they disliked the engineer), but when he returned as a hero, they were critical. This contrasts the concern they should have felt (for his safety) with the satisfaction they actually felt (when he was presumed dead) and then their criticism. This fits irony of contrasting expected and actual feelings.
3. Analyze Option C: The excerpt doesn't describe the engineer's view of his injuries, only the boys' reaction to his return. So C is incorrect.
4. Analyze Option D: The excerpt is from the boys' perspective, not the engineer's feelings. It's about the boys' perception of Providence's partiality, not the engineer's gratitude or satisfaction. So D is incorrect.

Answer:

B. To contrast the concern the boys should have felt with the satisfaction they really felt