An Analysis Of Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy? 'By Tim O' Brien

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Irony is the contrast between expectation and reality. There are three different types; verbal, situational, and dramatic. Verbal irony is when one person says something, but means the opposite. Situational irony is when an event happens that is the opposite of what was expected to happen. Dramatic irony is when the reader knows something that one or more characters do not. “Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?” by Tim O’Brien is a short story about Private First Class Paul Berlin’s first day at war. O’Brien used primarily situational irony to show the effects of war through the eyes of soldiers.
On page 201, Berlin strikes up a conversation with another soldier; “‘Haven’t got the time?’ the soldier whispered. ‘No.’ ‘Rats. ...Don't matter,

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