Henry Reading the Poem at Bunny's Funeral
At Bunny's funeral, Henry reads one of his friend's favorite poems. This detail is an instance of dramatic irony, because for other characters (notably the other mourners and Bunny's family), this act seems like an affectionate tribute from a close friend. Readers, however, know something that these characters do not: Henry played an active part in Bunny's murder. In fact, it can be argued that Henry bears most of the responsibility, since he is the one who initiates the plan to kill Bunny, and it is hinted that he is the one who actually pushes Bunny over the edge of the ravine. It is also revealed that Henry was the one to inspect Bunny's body and confirm that he was dead. Given how directly Henry contributed to Bunny's death, it is darkly ironic that he speaks at the funeral, and is assumed by most people to be a grieving friend. Ironically, Henry reading the poem is actually more about covering up his guilt and deflecting the investigation rather than actually honoring Bunny.
Richard Going to Get His Greek Textbook
After he moves back into his dorm just before the start of the second semester, Richard realizes he has forgotten his Greek textbook back at Henry's apartment, and decides to let himself in to retrieve it. This act becomes an example of situational irony, because it leads directly to Richard finding the information about flights to Argentina, and indirectly to him realizing that his friends have killed someone. The missing textbook is an example of situational irony because it introduces a plot twist, and contrasts a seemingly innocuous, everyday experience (misplacing an item) with the dramatic and suspenseful events of discovering a planned getaway and a potential crime. The missing textbook is also ironic because it symbolizes how the bond between the students in Julian's class has dark and unforeseen consequences. Richard only signed up for the class because he genuinely wanted to study ancient Greek and he had no idea what he would get drawn into.
Bunny's Letter Being Placed in the Wrong Mailbox
When Bunny learns about the murder of the farmer, he sends a letter to Julian explaining what Henry and the others have done, and revealing his fears that they will kill him in order to cover up their crime. However, his letter gets placed in the mailbox of a different professor, and it therefore takes months before Julian actually receives it, by which time Bunny is dead. This delay is an example of situational irony because it is a simple accident that dramatically changes the outcome of the plot. The delay in the letter means that it becomes an extremely dangerous piece of evidence which could potentially lead to Henry and the others being accused of Bunny's murder. The delay introduces a key plot twist since at this point, Richard and the other students think they have gotten away with their crime, and suddenly they are in a position where their guilt could be revealed.
Marion Marrying Bunny's Brother
At the end of the novel, readers learn that Marion (Bunny's girlfriend during his time at Hampden) subsequently went on to marry his brother Brady. This outcome is an example of situational irony, in that it presents an outcome very different from what was expected. During the time that Marion and Bunny were dating, the likely outcome would be that the two of them would go on to get married, but this outcome is in direct contrast with her ending up with his brother. The situational irony allows for Tartt to pick up on the theme of incest, which she introduces by hinting at the presence of a sexual relationship between Charles and Camilla. While Marion marrying Brady rather than Bunny isn't incestuous, it does hint at how sexual attraction can blur other types of closeness. The irony also shows how characters other than Richard and his friends become trapped in a life stage and their time at Hampden. Rather than moving on and establishing a new life for herself after Bunny's death, Marion stays trapped in the past and tries to replicate the relationship by marrying his brother and eventually giving their child Bunny's name.
