The Headman Is No Longer of Consequence (Situational Irony)
As a child, Rukmani looks forward to her wedding day, imagining that it will be an elaborate affair given that her father is "head of the village." However, when her eldest brother hears Rukmani's notion, he says, "Don't speak like a fool, the headman is no longer of consequence. There is the Collector, who comes to these villages once a year, and to him is the power, and to those he appoints; not to the headman." In this example of situational irony, Rukmani is shamed for not knowing that her father merely retains a title with no power attached to it. Under the British Raj (colonial government), real power is vested in the Collector, a colonial officer appointed as revenue collector, among other civil duties.
Telling Us to Go (Situational Irony)
When work begins on the tannery in Rukmani's village, she and other villagers flock to the site to watch men unload cart after cart of bricks. They ask questions of "the overseer," who answers their questions until he grows frustrated. Rukmani comments: "The overseer listened respectfully and then began telling us to go, not to disturb the men, although for so long he had been glad of many watchers. In our maidan, in our village he stood, telling us to go." In this instance of situational irony, Rukmani highlights the rudeness of a newcomer telling people to clear away from what they all consider public space within their own village.
You May Even Be the Better Off (Situational Irony)
During the famine, Rukmani's son Raja is killed by tannery guards who catch him stealing an animal skin. Several days later, officials from the tannery visit Rukmani to insist that the tannery bears no responsibility for the boy's death, warning Rukmani from making a compensation claim against them. Saying far more than he needs to, one official suggests that Rukmani "may even be the better off," adding that she has "many mouths to feed." In this instance of situational irony, the official undoes the kinder official's attempts at sympathizing with the grieving mother by suggesting that Raja's death will be beneficial for Rukmani because she is struggling to feed her starving children.
Nathan Fathered Kunthi's Sons (Situational Irony)
In another scene from the famine section of the novel, Kunthi threatens to tell Nathan about Rukmani going to Kenny for help with her fertility unless Rukmani gives Kunthi some rice. Rukmani gives in to Kunthi's demand, reassuring herself that she still has half her reserves of rice buried in a secret spot outside. However, when she goes to check what she has left, Rukmani discovers only a handful is left. She confronts her family only to learn that Nathan gave the reserve rice to Kunthi. In an instance of situational irony, Nathan confesses to having fathered Kunthi's adult sons. Rukmani's illusion of her life is destabilized by the knowledge that her supposedly devoted husband has cheated on her many times, repeatedly impregnating her nemesis.
