The Irony of the Old Man
When the author is heading to see the old man who requested to meet him, he was expecting a harsh reception. The author believes that old Indian men do not receive young people with two hands. Therefore, as he makes his way to meet the old man, he is wondering how the reception is going to be. It is ironic that after arrival, the old man receives him warmly with two hands to the extent that the author is confused. He writes:
“I made my way up the steps and into the door. The matter-of-fact way he accepted my arrival had confused me.”
The Irony of an Old Indian Talking
The author is aware that Indians feel inferior before white people because of discrimination. However, it is ironic when he visits him and calls him an old Indian man. The old man feels offended and decides to end the talk so that he can directly go to bed to rest. The reader does not expect the author to use such terms because they are offensive, but he does. For instance, he says:
“There are things that white people need to hear. I just want them to sound good so people do not say ‘Oh that is just an old Indian talking.”
The author laughs and says:
“You are an old Indian talking.”
The Irony of the Air
The old Indian man says that there is no place to hide since the white man controls oxygen. Under normal circumstances, the reader understands that air is a free resource and gift to all from God. There is no single individual who is in control of the air. However, the author says that the white man controls the air ironically to mean that the Indians are not given space to breathe or have the freedom to do what they desire. The white man wants to be in charge of everything to the extent of humiliating Indians. He writes:
“But there is no place to hide. The white man controls the air we breathe and the water we drink.”
The Irony of Forest and Mountain
Ironically, human beings find it hard to forgive and show love to their fellow humans. Both forests and mountains can forgive and show love. That explains why the creator always blesses forests and mountains because they possess a virtue that lack in human beings. The old man wonders why is it so easy for forests and mountains to forgive their destroyers? Surprisingly, after the destruction, they reappear more beautiful than before. He says:
“It is not easy for a man to be as great as a mountain or forest. But that is why the creator gave them to us as teachers. Now that I am old I look once more toward them for lessons, instead of trying to understand the ways of men.”
The Iron of Ungrateful People
The author covers a long distance to see the old man so that he can continue writing his book. He notes that it is a long drive and expensive venture which he at least needs an appreciation. Ironically, what he gets is the nods and grunts of people coming and going without any appreciation. He says:
“It was a long drive and an expensive trip to come out and visit him. I wanted some greater sense of purpose out of these encounters – a thank-you, a level of excitement and anticipation, anything. But all I was getting were nods and grunts and people coming and going with no discernible purpose.”
