Beautiful sight
Lev and his friends were all firefighters who on the night between the years spent their time on a roof, looking at the city that has been for months attacked by the German forces. Despite the danger and the decay, the four teenagers find the sight of the city beautiful. This is ironic especially considering the time when the novel was set and the historical background.
Risking his life for someone who did not cared
When the four teenagers are discovered by the police, they all run away, knowing that they could get in trouble if they were to be caught. In fact, they could be punished with death for their acts so it became important for them to run away to safety as soon as possible. When Lev saw that one of his friends fell behind, he did not hesitate to go back and help her. Because Lev helped his friend, he was caught by the police. Ironically, while Lev was willing to sacrifice everything for his friends, they were not ready to do the same and instead of helping him they decided to continue running to save their own skins.
Safe space
Wince his childhood, Lev was taught to fear the infamous prisons in Russia. When he was incarcerated, he became scared and almost desperate to get out. When a soldier was brought and thrown into the same cell as Lev, Lev asked the soldier if he was afraid. Ironically, the soldier claimed that he was never calmer, claiming that in their situation, the prison was the safest place they could be. While Lev did not agree with the soldier’s point of view, he was intrigued by it.
Keep the knife
When Lev and Kolya were brought before colonel Grechko, Lev expected to be punished for what he had done. When the colonel asks Lev what he took from the dead body, Lev was quick to give the colonel the knife he stole. Ironically, instead of taking the knife and punishing the boy for taking it, the colonel gives Lev back his knife and even shows him how to use it properly.
Better friend
When the boys go to the giant’s house, it becomes soon clear that the only reason why they were brought there was to be killed and eaten by the giant and his wife. The boys managed to escape by fighting their way out and Lev thinks how Kolya was willing to put his life in danger to save Lev. This is ironic because only a few chapters earlier, it became clear that Lev’s friends did not care about him but a stranger did.
