Irony is really important in literature, especially in novels. In the Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver uses situational irony to make her novel more interesting. She shows this kind of irony through three characters: Taylor, Lou Ann, and Turtle.
             First of all, Taylor shows situational irony by going from strong to weak. For example, Taylor says: "I would drive west until my car stopped running." This shows Taylor's determination and aggressiveness. It takes a lot of courage to leave your family and everything you know to begin a new life all by yourself in an unknown place. Not everybody can do this, but Taylor did. She is very decisive in what she wants. She knows the risks she would have to face up and still, she is going for it. She had a job that she kept for five and a half years. She quit to begin a new life. It's really hard for anybody to stop doing something you enjoy and then begin something new and get used to it. This wasn't easy for Taylor; it changed her whole life forever. On the other hand, Taylor says: "Why should I think Turtle's better off with me than in a state home?" This tells us that Taylor is putting herself down. She is putting in doubt who she really is, a strong person. She is avoiding the responsibility that she has (take care of Turtle). She would be like, "I tried my best, but motherhood is not for me." She is in a way acting like Lou Ann.
             Secondly, Lou Ann shows situational irony by going from weak to strong. For instance, "A waiter mistakenly brought somebody else's dinner, and she just ate it rather than make trouble." This shows that Lou Ann is really insecure. She tried not to make trouble because she thinks everything she does is wrong. She just thinks for others and not for herself. She is always thinking in a negative way. If she doesn't begin to face her problems she will always be a weak person. Instead of going forwar...