This is the full text:
CHARACTERS:
SAL, a rich doctor
PAUL, Sal's best friend
ANYA,a mysterious woman
JEAN, GEORGE, LUKAS, Sal's children
EMMA, Sal's wife who has passed away
Stage Set: Noman town. Sal and Paul are about to go on a walk. They do not know that Anya has applied to be a nanny for Sal's children.
PAUL: You can't just let anyone in your house.
SAL: I won't let just anyone in. Yeah. Can I help you, miss?
ANYA: (has been following PAUL and SAL wearing a large hat to hide her face) I am looking for Hank & Sons. Where exactly is it, gentlemen?
SAL: Just down the street. It's a yellow building. You'll see the sign. Hey, we can walk you there. Want to, Paul? (does not notice that ANYA is eavesdropping on their conversation)
PAUL: Sure. I mean you have young children. What would Emma decide?
SAL: Wish there was a way to ask her.
PAUL: I know she would have wanted someone with great knowledge and character to take care of your children. I mean, nobody can replace your wife, but a nanny has to love your children.
SAL: I know that. Will she cook their favorite food? Will she teach them the piano? Will she sing them to sleep? Anyway, here is your building, miss. Good day!
ANYA: Thank you. Same to you. (goes into a yellow building for a few seconds, comes out, and starts following PAUL and SAL again)
How is dramatic irony used in this play?
A.
to create suspense through Anya's character
B.
to show that Anya is actually about to get lost
C.
to create humor through Sal's young children
D.
to show that only Paul has seen Anya before.
The answer is: A. To create suspense through Anya's character.
Explanation:
Dramatic irony is used when an audience know something about a play that is not known by the characters in the play.
In this text, it is clear that Anya has been following Paul and Sal and has been eavesdropping on them. She did this again when she asked for directions to the yellow house but only stayed there for a few seconds before she continues to follow them.
Using the definition of dramatic irony, one can reduce here that it is used to create suspense through Anya's character because no one knows what her real intentions are.
While the audience is aware that she's following the men (though oblivious to the characters), the audience does not know why she is following them which creates suspense.
