Situational Irony: King of the Mud
Yerlte the Turtle stated that his kingdom is that which he can see. When he is on his throne, he can see great lands and therefore they become his kingdom. However, at the end all he can see if mud so becomes King of the Mud.
Situational Irony: Fall from power
Yerlte the Turtle wanted more power so demanded a throne be made. However, he became greedier as the story went on and eventually, he lost his entire kingdom due to his greedy actions.
Dramatic irony: Mack the Turtle
Mack is belittled by Yerlte the Turtle for being “only a turtle named Mack” and not a King. Yet it is Mack, the simple turtle, who manages to free the other turtles from Yerlte the Turtle’s rule.
Dramatic irony: Yerlte the Turtle
Older readers will know that Yerlte the Turtle has similar qualities to the tyrannical ruler, Adolf Hitler. indeed, Seuss based the character on Hitler.
Dramatic irony: Throne of Animals
The mature reader will realize that the throne of turtles is a reference to the people/civilians that Hitler used and absurd in his rise to power. Indeed, the turtles are simply a pawn and a means to and end for Yerlte the Turtle.
