What term describes a figure of speech in which incongruity is used to showcase a contrast between expectations and reality?

The term that describes a figure of speech where incongruity highlights a contrast between expectations and reality is irony. Irony occurs when there is a significant difference between what is anticipated or expected and what actually occurs. This can manifest in various forms, such as situational irony, where events turn out differently from what one would expect, or verbal irony, where a speaker says one thing but means another.

Irony serves to create depth in narrative and commentary, often revealing underlying truths or criticisms about society, human nature, or specific situations. For instance, if a fire station burns down, the situation is ironic because one would expect a place that deals with fires to be the least likely to catch fire itself. This contrast enhances the impact of the situation and encourages readers to reflect on the deeper meanings at play.

In contrast, other options represent different concepts. A paradox, while involving seemingly contradictory statements, does not necessarily convey the contrast between expectations and reality. Satire uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to critique or mock, but does not always involve the juxtaposition of expectations and reality in the way irony does. A metaphor, on the other hand, is a figure of speech that implies a comparison between two unlike things without using "like"