The satire of social expectations
The fact that ancient society demeaned and devalued a girl child is paradoxical. The men in the patriarchal society failed to comprehend that a woman conceives a boy. Consequently, a woman gives life, and she needs to be respected and given rights in the society where she lives.
The Paradox of Joseph, the retired diplomat
Joseph is a paradoxical man because he does not believe in demeaning women despite being part of the patriarchal society. On the contrary, Joseph empowers women to fight for their rights, demonstrated when he loves and motivates Doreen to fight for her rights.
The irony of marriage
Satirically, a woman's role in a traditional society is giving birth and taking care of a man, but not romance. Consequently, the marriage between Martin and Doreen fails because what Doreen needs is love, but Martin only needs a boy child.
The sardonic expectations of society
A wife should belong to a man, and the two should be left to make personal decisions affecting their lives. Ironically, society dictates the expectations of a woman in marriage. For instance, society dictates that a woman must love her man unconditionally and should be able to give birth to boys.
