Christmas Dress Starched (Situational Irony)
Although Rosaura and her mother have an unresolved argument about whether Rosaura may attend Luciana's birthday, on the day of the party Rosaura discovers that her mother has starched her white formal dress in preparation for the party. In this instance of situational irony, Rosaura's mother undermines Rosaura's expectation that she would not be allowed to attend the party.
Señora Ines Offers Money Instead of a Parting Gift (Situational Irony)
At the end of the story, Rosaura waits at the household's entrance in expectation that she is about to receive a parting gift. She watches the other children receive theirs: yo-yos for boys and bracelets for girls. Rosaura believes she has behaved so exceptionally at that she might merit two gifts. But in an instance of situational irony, Ines rummages in her purse and holds out two bills to Rosaura. The gesture undermines Rosaura's expectation of how she would be rewarded for being such a help at the party.
