The Irony of Croatian Patriotism During the War
The Juric family is ostracized from their community because they do not adhere to the arbitrary demonstrations of patriotism which surface after the war's beginning. Their neighbors judge them for not being loyal to Croatia, but their own behavior is motivated by fear rather than loyalty. The consequences for not following these expectations of patriotism are dramatic, as other people accuse the Jurics of being traitors. Nevertheless they will not conform because they don't want to be fallacious and pretend that they support things which they do not. Their particular brand of loyalty is to the state as the protector of the people, but they do not believe in blind devotion.
The Irony of Rahela's Illness
Despite financial burdens and the danger, Ana's parents manage to take their family to Sarajevo for Rahela's medical treatment. Although they believe this is the best course of action for their daughter, they unwittingly open up the family to the worst tragedy of all -- death and enslavement. Their kindness is rewarded with violence.
The Irony of the Children's Games
Ana and her friends play a bunch of games together, but their favorite or these epic war games. They would play until one team had entirely dominated the other. This pastime proves ironic when actual war threatens their lives. Suddenly the games seem cruel instead of funny.
The Irony of Post-Trauma
After the war, Ana moves to join her sister in New York. She attends university there, but she struggles to adapt to her new environment. Ironically, although she has all the material comforts of American life -- safety, work, new clothes, a vibrant social life, etc., -- she feels worse than ever. Her exterior no longer corresponds to her interior traumatized state. Even though she's safe now, she cannot appreciate the blessings around her because she is still trying to sort through her post-trauma from her time as a child soldier.
The Irony of Rahela's American Lifestyle
Because she doesn't remember growing up in Croatia because she was so young at the time, Rahela adapts to American culture easily. She thrives in the competition and the individualism, but this is an insult to Ana, who bears the full weight of her Croatian heritage. Although the girls are not too far distant in age, they experience radically different cultural perspectives. Rahela comes to represent everything that's wrong with Ana's life. She is recovering from the war still, but here is her sister flaunting her new American ideas. Ana feels more isolated than ever when she comes to America because she had hoped to connect with her sister, but the cultural difference makes that nearly impossible.
