Irony of Uncle
Laila’s father wanted her to get education according to western modes, so she acquired it according to her father’s wish. After his death, she was living with her grandfather and she followed the traditions of her religion along with her western education. After her grandfather passed away, her uncle became her guardian. Uncle Hamid considered himself liberal, but the irony is that he would not allow Laila to carry on her western ideas despite of following the tradition. He put restrictions on the family and did not give them the freedom of choice. He tried to rule them according to his set of rules. He wanted Laila to behave according to his desires and he treated her as his subject. When he asked Laila that whether she has the freedom of thought or not, she replied that she does not have the freedom of action. The hypocrisy of uncle’s actions was evident in his autocratic rule.
Irony of Education
Laila got admission to a university just because she wanted to attain liberal education and it was her father’s desire as well. After getting admission in an Indian university she realized that Indian mode of education was not similar to western education. Instead, there were political riots and political activism in universities. The students divided themselves in groups according to their political ideas. Laila also joined a group of rebels, who resented the rule of Englishmen. Although she was not interested in the problems of India, but she had to become a part of a political group because of political dominance in the educational institutions.
Irony of the Politics
Attia Hossain has demonstrated in the novel that politics affect everyone, whether they are interested in it or not. Ameer’s death is an example of the ironical effects of political instability and the impact of politics on ordinary man’s life. It is also ironical that although Laila was not interested in politics during her educational career, but she had to join some political group. She resented the political activism and the violent competitions among humans. She did not take a particular stance regarding the political matters but still she faced hatred. Ameer was also not concerned about political matters, but he was died in an attack in India against the Muslims.
