“Maybe he had failed her” - “Life on Grimsey Island”
Oliveira contemplates, "Maybe he had failed her. Maybe he'd had in his hands and in his voice the way to prevent Agatha's death. But how could he have imagined the effects a word, a subtle lie, might have had on her? Maybe Agatha had made the decision long before that night, and nothing Oliveira might have said would have changed it. Maybe his presence was only required as a witness." Oliveira faults himself for Agatha's suicide, yet it is evident that she committed it out her own volition. Had Oliveira personally murdered her, then his remorse would have been valid. Oliveira's attempts to blame himself depict the trauma which he is sustaining as a result of being involved with Agatha before her death. Witnessing the suicide wounds him emotionally. Oliveira is blaming himself for matter that he would not change for he lacks the capacity to dissect Agatha's intentions and thoughts regarding the suicide.
"Banal Excuse” - “Hiding Places”
Vasquez writes, “Monsieur Gibert had never been to his daughter’s house. They’d invited him once, and he’d come up with some unimaginative and rather banal excuse. I knew because Claire told me, imitating her father’s nasal voice, his falsely solemn gestures.” Gilbert’s refusal to visit Clair’s house is ironic. Evidently, his refusal surmises that he does not approve of the marriage. Gilbert is pessimistic about the success of the matrimony; thus, he elects not to develop bonds with his son-in-law. If Gilbert had unconditionally accepted Philippe as his daughter’s husband, he would accept the invitation to show his support and blessing for the marriage.
The Irony of Hunting - “Lovers on All Saints’ Day”
The narrator asserts, “We didn’t come to look at the landscape. We came to hunt…and we haven’t seen a rabbit.” The hunting turns out to be a landscape-watching exercise. Michelle enjoys the freshness of the landscape. The non-appearance of a single rabbit indicates that successful hunting is not guaranteed even when the hunter is in a vicinity where animals to be hunted are paramount.
The Irony of “Maybe all this is a punishment” - “Hiding Places”
While discussing Philippe’s infidelity, Claire asserts, “Maybe all this is a punishment, no? Someone’s punishing me for being so egotistical.” Claire’s ironic assertion implies that she is blaming herself for Philippe’s unfaithfulness instead of blaming him. If Philippe was dissatisfied with her he would seek a divorce. Claire should hold Philippe accountable for his deception instead of faulting herself.
“And what if we prayed” - “Hiding Places”
Claire states, “And what if we prayed?” Vasquez confesses, “But before I had to me to be surprised (Claire was an atheist, as were her parents), she burst out with a short dry laugh.” The question regarding the possibility of praying occurs when they are close to a church and after they have held a discussion concerning Philippe’s infidelity. Claire may be atheistic, but she reckons that praying could change the situation between her and Philippe. She has a little faith despite her atheism.
