Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of irony?

The characteristic that is not associated with irony is literal truth. Irony often involves a discrepancy between expectations and reality; it plays on contradictions to create meaning that is different from what would normally be understood.

Irony frequently manifests as a situation where something contrasts sharply with what is expected, hence unexpected outcomes are a key component. For instance, if a fire station burns down, this illustrates irony due to the contradiction between the expectation of safety and the outcome. Similarly, contradictory situations are a hallmark of irony—these situations reveal a disparity between appearance and reality, prompting an understanding beyond the surface meaning.

Subtle humor can also play a role in irony, as the contrast or unexpected twist may lead to a humorous realization. However, literal truth suggests a straightforward or direct understanding of information without any underlying contradiction or unexpected turn, which is contrary to the essence of irony. Thus, it is clear that literal truth does not align with the characteristics of irony.