The Irony of Having a Way Out
Toby comes to visit Susanna at the mental hospital. She has grounds privileges so her and Toby go outside where he tells her they are leaving for Canada. He's fleeing the Vietnam draft and wants her to go with him. The irony is that she doesn't go with him even though she wants to be free of this place. She knows that she must leave, but more importantly she knows this isn't the way.
The Irony of Helping
Susanna and Lisa decide to play music for Polly because she has been confined for the night. By playing a guitar and a tamborine and singing for her they are able to bring joy and happiness to her for the night. The irony is that they believe they are free and fall asleep in the hallway. When they wake up, Valerie finds what they have done and punishes them. Because in the midst of helping Polly they also break the rules by giving the nurse a sleeping tablet, making out with an orderly and breaking curfew.
The Irony of Not Caring
Susanna tells Dr. Wick that she does not care about getting better. That she doesn't believe she can get better. The irony is, as Dr. Wick points out that Susanna does care. She cares deeply, she just doesn't know how to express it clearly at this point.
The Irony of the Truth
Lisa and Susanna go to Daisy's new home for a place to crash. While there Lisa tells Daisy what she believes to be the truth about the girl's life. She tells her that she knows that her father is having sex with her and she also knows she likes it. The irony of the "truth" is that it pierces Daisy to her core and she takes her life because of the harsh words that Lisa utters.
The Irony of Freedom
While on the road with Lisa, Susanna believes that she is now free with someone who cares about her. The irony is that Lisa cares about what she wants and wants to do and it's clear when she pierces Daisy with her words and then leaves Susanna behind once the paramedics are called that Susanna is not a part of her plan. Thus the freedom that Susanna believed she was getting is not real it's an allusion as she hasn't earned this freedom.
