The irony of Marisa
Marisa is Jimmy’s current girlfriend, but she is no longer interested in him after meeting Marshall. Ironically, Marisa openly shows Jimmy that she is no longer interested in him and she wants Marshall. A break is more painful when one partner flaunts with the new partner openly to hurt her husband. When Jimmy and Marisa are in the laboratory where Marshall works, she moves to caress Marshall in front of Jimmy. The author writes, “Then she squeezed his shoulder and told him don’t worry, Jimmy is busy with other business of his.” The reader finds it satirical that a woman can make sexual moves with another man in front of her husband.
The irony of Jimmy
Jimmy suspects that Marisa is about to ditch him, but he hangs around her watching Marshall executing experimental waves. The reader finds it ironic that a couple that is supposed to iron its issues privately is doing it openly. Jimmy is angry and tells Marshall that his experiments are pieces of shit. After watching the wave experiment, Jimmy says, “Yeah, yeah. That is enough. Boring as a whale shit. I’m leaving. You coming Marisa, or not?” He stood and glared at her.”
The irony of the cathedral
Marisa's house is next to the cathedral, which has beautiful lights at night. The presence of the church signifies the holiness and purity of the people living around. Ironically, Marisa is having illicit sex with Marshall close to the church. The author writes, "After she lay against him, her skin soft but her body taut beneath the surface. The bedroom ceiling had a soft glow from the church façade opposite. He was relaxed, but she seemed, if anything, to be energized, restless after making love.” The description of an illicit sex affair and the mentioning of the church makes the entire discussion satirical to readers.
The irony of a sad ending
A love-making experience is the happiest feeling ever. After Marshall finishes making love with Marisa, he thinks that it is always to be like that for many years to come. The feeling of sleeping with the most beautiful woman in his life in an expensive home is thrilling. Ironically, the love-making ordeal ends up in tears. As Marisa is taking a shower, three men burst into the bedroom while Marshall is naked and give him a beating he will never forget. The author writes, "With a bang! The front door slammed open, and three men burst into the bedroom. They were wearing dark raincoats and hats. Terrified, Marshall set the wineglass on the table-it fell and dived for his clothes beside the bed to cover himself, but in an instant, the men were on him, grabbing him with gloved hands."
The irony of Morton
Despite wearing heavy pants, Morton is feeling cold, and this sounds satirical. The author writes, "Morton was wearing a down vest, a quilted windbreaker, and heavy pants. And he was still cold!” On the other hand, Morton’s driver was only wearing a light vest and feeling warm.
