Irony of the Oni
The new technology enables the users to be in a simulation that “feels real”, choosing to be whoever they want and wherever they want. While the technology has its benefits, enabling those unfortunate to live their dreams, it also has the negativity in the form of escapism from reality, which in turn makes humanity neglect their reality, their surroundings and global issues which are leading to its demise.
Irony of Halliday
Halliday, a great inventor and person Wade idolizes, isn’t what he seems to be. Behind the mask of success and fortune there is an emotionally empty individual who was obsessed with his friend’s wife his whole life. But, it is this same obsession and disregard for the consequences that made him into the great inventor who made OASIS and everything possible.
Irony of Wade
While Wade being the center of the entire system, leader of the OASIS and the only one who can gather the seven shards, it is clear that he is incapable of succeeding in anything on its own. Without the help of his friends, Wade wouldn’t be where he was or who he was, which is a generally a good thing, but it builds him as a dependent character instead of a natural leader.
Situational irony-Anorak’s defeat
Anorak being the main antagonist in the novel, while Wade being the main hero, the ending and Anorak’s defeat comes as a surprise. It is expected that Wade will be the one who will defeat him, because his decisions led to the main conflict in the plot. But, Og is the one who defeats Anorak at the end-an unexpected but understandable turn of events, as Anorak’s main target was Kira, Og’s wife.
