Situational irony: Loss of Old Yeller
In the beginning, Travis despises the dog and tries to talk his family out of keeping it as their pet. In the end, he cannot bear the thought of Old Yeller never being around anymore and is in grief over his death.
Verbal irony: Old Yeller
Old Yeller as the name of the dog is ironic in itself as dogs bark and do not yellow. By giving a human-sounding nickname to the dog, highlights the strength of the dog’s relationship with the family.
Situational irony: New puppy
It is ironic that as Old Yeller dies, he leaves behind a part of him in the form of the new puppy. in this way, the death is ironic as Old Yeller is not truly dead and continues to remain with Travis.
Verbal irony: Rascal
At the start, Travis hates the dog and calls him a rascal, which is ironic considering the protective and nurturing nature of the dog. Old Yeller repeatedly saves the family in times of trouble and comes to be a hero in many ways throughout the course of the story.
