The irony of Karen
Karen is a Danish citizen living in Kenya during the colonial period. Karen has all the privileges of white superiority and government support. Ironically, Karen considers herself equal to the local tribes living on her expansive farm in Ngong Hills. Karen dedicates her life to serving the locals, and she does this by building a school and a health facility to offer free services to the local communities. The colonial government is not happy with Karen's mission, but she defies the odds to live harmoniously with the local tribes. Instead of enslaving the locals on her expansive farm, Karen requests them to work for her once a month and engage in their economic activities the rest of the days.
The irony of Baron
Baron is Karen's husband, a paradoxical character who contradicts the reader's expectations. Throughout the text, readers realize Karen is a hardworking and faithful wife who dedicates her time to managing the expansive farm. Ironically, Baron engages in multiple sexual relationships with different women on his safari explorations. When Karen confronts Baron about his unfaithfulness, Baron shamelessly accepts and does not feel remorseful.
The irony of Africa's primitiveness
Whites perceive Africans as uncivilized, primitive, and illiterate. Whites also believe that Africa is hell because it lacks modern infrastructure. Ironically, Africa is heaven for Karen because of its natural state. Karen observes that Africans live in their natural state and are closer to God because they have preserved their naturalness. According to Karen, life in Africa is superior to Europe or America because corruption characterizes civilization.
