The satire of suicide
Suicide is not a common occurrence, but various circumstances cause it. Li-lings father is a paradoxical character because he does not prioritize her daughter's well-being before killing himself. Before committing suicide, Li-ling's father used to play the piano for her. The only thing that Li-ling remembers is her father playing the piano.
The irony of protests
The Chinese Civil War was chaotic, and it was fueled by bad leadership. The satire is that protesting was not enough to end the oppressive regime due to disunity. The satire is that there was no unity of purpose among the protesters, which extended instead of ending the authoritarian rule.
The irony of the West
Western countries are described as civilized with contemporary cultural settings. Ironically, despite Li-ling growing up in Canada, she is deeply rooted in her culture, and she wants to know more about her family back in China. Towards the end of the book, Li-ling manages to put pieces together, comprehending her family background back in China.
Zedong’s regime
Zedong’s leadership does the opposite of what it is expected to execute. Leadership is intended to serve the people. Ironically, the Zedong regime is oppressive and intolerant. For instance, the town is filled with protests every time because people feel improperly served.
