The Irony of Assimilation
Their teacher who was originally known as Kwaku Ansah changed his name to an English name Philip Goodluck showing the influence of western culture on him. His insisting that Kofi and his classmates have to speak English and not Twi which is their native language is ironic. He insists that English is the mother tongue which leaves his students shocked as the only mother tongue they know is Twi. While everyone else is against western influence he embraces it fully forcing his ideologies on his students. He advises Kofi to think beyond the Asante people although he is also from the same village making his loyalty to his community questionable. The irony of the teacher teaching them about the history of England and not of their own Asante people. From Kofi’s thoughts, we gather that they know little of their history yet that is not taught to them instead a foreign history is introduced to them. Philip had been brainwashed as opposed to his people.
The Irony of Punishment
Kofi’s teacher Philip punished him by making him read Shakespear’s books. Kofi loved reading those books but he would not let Philip know that he enjoys that kind of punishment. While Philip thought that making him read English books was torture enough, Kofi seems to be having a time of his life with Shakespear’s writings. He shows Philip how bored he is while reading those books so that he would continue punishing him the same way. It is also ironic that when Kwasi expects to be punished for accidentally killing the prince during the battle, the case gets ruled as an accident and he is acquitted of the guilt. The upper village of Kwanta was in a lot of distress over the matter as killing the only heir to the lower village of Kwanta seemed very grave. So when Kwasi gets forgiven it was a relief as they expected the worst.
The Irony of the battle
Bonsu was the giant of the previous battles with a reputation for injuring his opponents terribly. Kofi was afraid for his brother was going to face Bonsu in the battle. It was not expected that Bonsu could be defeated, leave alone with a first-time competitor, Kwasi. It came as shock when he got injured badly making him retreat. Prince Yaw joined the battle as Bonsu’s replacement and after the show off gets defeated and killed by Kwasi. Ironically, Kwasi was able to defeat the giant of all time given that was his first time competing in the battle. It is ironic that the lower village of Kwanta gets upset and overreact about their prince being killed yet they are aware that in a battle death is inevitable and the fighters must be prepared to kill or be killed. Their pretentious ignorance leaves the readers surprised.
