Chapter 6: Dramatic Irony

“Derby was imagining letters to home, his lips worked tremulously: Dear Margaret- We are leaving for Dresden today. Don’t worry. It will never be bombed. It is an open city” (Vonnegut 93). This is the epitome of dramatic irony because Vonnegut has already informed us that Dresden will be bombed, yet Derby does not know that yet. He writes a letter to his wife telling her that everything will be okay, although everything does not turn out to be fine. Although Derby does not die due to the bombing, he does not return from war. We know that he is shot by a firing squad. For what reason was he shot? We do not know yet. Dresden was an “open city” that is why it had little defense. Their army was worthless and open to attack. During a world war, an open city is not where I would feel safe.