The only one to blame
The father “regards Helen with increasing suspicion as the years go by.” “Eight years” have passed, and “still no sons.” She has “inherited his flat features and coarse hair.” The man begins to think of her “as the murderer of his son.” He begins to think that Helen “sealed the spirit door behind her.” His obsession with an idea of having a son becomes ridiculous. The irony is that the man tries so hard to forget about China and Chinese culture, but he still believes in “old superstitions.” Even more, he blames everyone but himself for absence of a son.
A man
Boys are usually taught that they should be stoic and emotionless. A boy is supposed to hide his tears and fears in order to be respected by others, so that not to be an outsider. Of course, Peter doesn’t want to be an outcast, so he agrees to play Roger’s cruel games. According to Roger, pain will “make a man out of” him. The irony is that Roger is just a little boy; he doesn’t have any idea about being a man. These children are so young, their minds are supposed to be free of all those stereotypes that adults have, but they already behave as if they are adults.
Boys be boys
It seems that every “new game” that Roger invents becomes even crueler than a previous one. It consists only of pain and humiliation, Roger is the only one who is supposed to have fun. Violence, bulling, and abuse become a part of boys’ lives. The irony is that the teachers prefer to ignore the situation. There is “no reason to bother” with the boys. This is “what boys” usually do. Their unwillingness to do at least something about the whole situation frightens. What is even more terrible is that Roger is not the only one problematic child in the school. It is easier to pretend that everything is fine than solve the problem.
