The irony of Mai
Mai (The Obeah woman) is a palm reader, seer, and family counselor. Ironically, Mai claims that her treatments and prophesies only work when clients pay for services. Consequently, if a client does not pay, she will never heal from her problems. The reader notes that Mai is a con woman who takes advantage of innocent clients, claiming they will heal them after they make payments.
The irony of Viv
Viv knows Del slept out last night because she did not come home. When Viv's mother asks about Del's whereabouts, Viv intentionally cheats her mother that she slept at home and left in the morning. Paradoxically, Viv lies to her mother despite knowing that her cover-up has no point. The mother already knows Del slept outside and is testing Viv's honesty.
The paradox of Del and Mai’s friendship
When Del first visits Mai with her mother, she is cynical of her powers to heal and identify sickness. Readers do not expect Del to accept Mai's predictions any time soon. Ironically, after a few weeks, Del moves to live with Mai. Del is overwhelmed when Mai accurately identifies her difficulty in reading and dyslexia problems. Mai also takes care of Del's pregnancy, something readers do not see happening.
