What is ironic about Finny's refusal to admit fault after the accident?

• A. He blames someone else to deflect.
• B. He remains oblivious to any fault and never experiences guilt.
• C. He refuses to admit blame while Gene's guilt grows.
• D. He immediately confesses and overshares.

Answer: (C)

Irony here comes from a clash between what Finny’s character projects and what the situation actually reveals. Finny prides himself on innocence and moral perfection, so when the accident happens he refuses to admit any fault. That steadfast denial preserves his self-image, but it also avoids facing the truth of what happened and what his actions—whether intentional or not—contributed to the fall. Meanwhile, Gene is left carrying growing guilt about the incident. The contrast is dramatic: the person who claims to stand above blame refuses to own up, and the other character’s inner remorse deepens. That dynamic—Finny’s denial and Gene’s escalating guilt—captures the irony most clearly.