Michelle's mother
Michelle's biological mother is a character of interest in the novel. The main irony of Michelle's mother is that she neglects her parental responsibility when she falls into drug addiction instead of taking care of her daughter and son. Michelle's young brother is lost, and she decides to take the riskiest adventure to traverse the dangerous landscape with the aid of her robot to look for him. The journey is scary, but the young girl faces her fears and walks with confidence while holding her weapon.
The irony of the foster parents
The absurdity that comes into sight is when Michelle's foster parents give in slowly to the trendy habit of narrowcasters that eventually destroys their lives. At the peak of technological condensation, VR helmets continue to lure humans into shambling hordes that are later converted into huge technological beings to fight drones. The irony in this context is that Michelle's foster parents are aware of the tricks used by the VR helmets, but they fall into their trap easily.
The irony of war
Simon Stålenhag uses his science fiction to communicate the illogicality of war. As Michelle walks across the US landscape with her robot, there is no sign of human life because what she can see are the ruins and destroyed drones all over. Consequently, the author shows readers that war is futile. Michelle is looking for her lost brother, an emblem of what war is capable of doing. Many people die, and others get lost during conflicts. Simon Stålenhag's fiction expresses what modern weaponry can do, but the irony is that it leaves mass destruction that will take many years to rebuild.
