The sanctity of the ties between a son and a father
Mr. John Chester tried to appeal to his son for his son’s duty to be obedient and think first of all about his family’s matters. John Chester was against the marriage of his son Edward and young lady named Emma Haredale, for Emma’s uncle was John’s enemy. So, John demanded his son to marry a girl, whose dowry would benefit their position in society, and it would be up to Edward how to treat his young wife, for he, John, would never “interfere with the affairs of his son”. The irony is obvious and malicious, for the father stands against the marriage with Emma, who would make his son happy, and it is a direct interference with his son’s affairs.
Strict fathers
John Chester was not the only character in the novel who was abasing his son. John Willet was another man who treated his son far from fairly. These two gentlemen behaved according to their social status and views on the world, and their attitudes towards their sons were completely opposite. John Willet was simply a simple-minded tyrant who insulted his adult son Joe like a little boy, and used to speak vulgarly in a circle of his friends. John Chester never came down to much mean ways, and all his arguments were always masterfully composed to touch his listeners’ feelings of duty. The difference is that John Willet's way of behavior is subject to prejudices, while John Chester's rationalism cynically disguises his selfishness. As for their victims, they at some moment rebelled and immigrated to America. The irony is that completely different principles in bringing up a child led to the same results – children left looking for better fate.
Simon Tappertit and his legs
Simon is Mr. Varden’s apprentice and belongs to a secret union of apprentices who have set the goal of wresting power from the masters. He is a character full of contradictions and an example of an arrogant person, but the most laughable and absurd fact about him is his love to his legs. Through the entire novel, he is worshipping his legs that he considers the most beautiful man’s legs in the world. The irony is that Sim has lost his legs during the riots, then married a quarrelsome woman, and she "in revenge took his pieces of wood and put him out of the house, to the ridicule of street boys, who enjoy all mischief."
