The resort
One of the most notable instances of irony in Saint X is the portrayal of the resort as a paradise. The guests see it as a perfect escape from their everyday lives. Still, underneath this luxurious facade, the employees who maintain this illusion of perfection live a life of economic struggle and hardship. This contrast between perception and reality reveals the profound socio-economic disparities that often exist in such tourist destinations.
Alison's death
Alison, the book's most vibrant and larger-than-life character, dies an untimely death. She, who had an intense love for life and adventure, lost her life in the prime of her youth. This ironic twist emphasizes the unpredictable and tragic nature of life, where the ones who embrace life the most can be the ones to lose it prematurely.
Claire and Clive's relationship
Claire, Alison's sister, becomes obsessed with Clive, a man she perceives as her sister's murderer. Ironically, she is drawn to the person who may be responsible for her sister's death, illustrating how grief and loss can affect a person's thinking and behavior.
Claire
Another instance of irony is the way Claire perceives her narrative. Despite being connected to a highly infamous and dramatic incident, Claire is disappointed by her inability to be made interested in it. This reflects the irony of the human desire for dramatic and impactful life narratives, even when those narratives involve personal tragedy and loss.
Tragedy
In one passage, Alison desires tragedy to befall her so that others can see her strength. It’s ironic because tragedy does befall her, but it’s not a display of her strength but the end of her life. Additionally, very few people ever ask for tragedy; they actively avoid it.
