Question

The lesson, ‘The Eyes Have It’ by Ruskin Bond is a good example of situational irony. Explain why.​

Answer 1

“The Eyes Are Not Here” [also known as “The Girl on the Train” and “The Eyes Have It”] is a short story by Ruskin Bond, an Indian writer. The story exudes irony. The story uses first person point of view. Not far into the story, the reader discovers that the narrator is blind but apparently has not always been. Riding on a train and sitting in a compartment provides the setting of the story.

This story is an excellent example of situational irony which employs a plot device in which events turn out contrary to expectation yet are contrarily appropriate. Further use of irony involves verbal irony when a character says one thing but means another.

The narrator listens as a couple sends their daughter off on the train to visit an aunt. Initiating the conversation, the narrator becomes intrigued by the girl’s voice. She is quite surprised to find someone else in the compartment.