The irony of settling down
It is ironic that Yevgenia doesn't provide a traditional stable, secure home, but Lara still hopes they can settle down in this new home. Yevgenia is irresponsible and unpredictable, consistently moving around and leaving her daughter in precarious situations. She is often away from home, engaging in risky behavior and leaving Lara to fend for herself. Despite this, Lara still hopes that the Oasis will be a place where they can settle down and start fresh.
The irony of American culture
Yevgenia's behavior is ironic because while she communicates a strong distaste for American culture and men, she relies on them and their money to survive. She works as a bartender, and she actively seeks out men to provide her with financial security, while at the same time, she is refusing to acknowledge their value. This irony is further highlighted when she meets Steve, Brody's father, who is a perfect example of the type of man she outwardly scorns: handsome, successful, and seemingly well-off. Despite this, she is still willing to use him for her purposes, as evidenced by her willingness to negotiate a better rent price with him. This serves as an example of her hypocrisy, as she is willing to take advantage of men's resources even while denying their value.
The irony of Yevgenia’s warnings about men
The irony in this situation is that the narrator's mother, who is warning her about men and their potential to deceive, is being tempted by Papa Bear, the landlord of the trailer park. Not only is she trying to warn her daughter about the dangers of men, but she is also demonstrating the same behaviors she is warning her daughter about, as evidenced by her flirtatious interactions with Papa Bear. This irony further highlights the contrast between Yevgenia's warnings about men and her behavior, and it serves as a reminder that she may not always practice what she preaches.
Irony of bartending
It's ironic that Yevgenia works as a bartender yet is an alcoholic. This is a difficult scenario for her because she is continuously surrounded by the lure of alcohol yet has to maintain control and not consume any herself. It is expected that she will not accept a job that will cause her to relapse into alcoholism, such as bartending.
