Irony of the village Imperi
Once, The Imperi was a peaceful place. Now, for the civil war it has been ruined. When Mama Kadie and Pa Moiwa entered in the village, they saw the similar trees and grass but the human beings were all dead. It is a great Irony for them once, where they used to live a happy life now they have to bury the dead bodies of the villagers. They have to repair their houses and make the place habitable again.
Ironical conflict
They come here to lead a happy life again, but their chief allowed white people to build mines. Thus, again they are exploited. Women are molested; children go to the mines instead of school. It is an irony that again their thoughts are defeated by the exploitation of white people. Yet, again they pick up the armor to fight against their oppressor.
Ironical Childhood
Children are exploited severely. It is the time for them to get education but they took part in the civil war and after civil war they go to mines to bring their livelihood. They have no choice of happiness. Childhood which should be the golden time of a human life, I. Beah portrays it as the worst time for the Imperian.
Coexistence of colonizer and colonized
We find the co existence of colonizer and colonized in the village Imperia. Where, Ernest who was a child soldier in the civil war comes back in the village with his victim Sila whose hand has been chopped off by Ernest. Once, they were enemy during the civil war; now they turn out to be a neighbor. Thus, I. Beah shows the futility of war.
Ending in Irony
After several exploitations and violations take place in the village, the people try to fight against all of these. In the opening scene, they are coming back in their village but at the end, they are taking oath that they never leave the village again. Still, they try to dream for the radiance of tomorrow i.e. waiting for the happier future.
