The sinners are happier
We can find an ironic idea in “The Lives of the Father”, towards the end of the lyrical composition. In the beginning, the narrator claims that the only way to happiness is to listen to God and deny all those things which can make life easier. Ironically, however, towards the end of the lyrical composition, the narrator agrees that those who are materialistic have an easier and happier life.
Not to leave her room
In “Thais”, the abbot told the sinful woman to remain closed in her room for 3 years so God will see she truly regrets her actions and will forget her. In the beginning, the woman, Thais, did everything she could to escape from the room but in the end, she decided to accept her punishment. At the end of the 3 years, the abbot came to let the woman out. Ironically, instead of wanting to escape from the room as quickly as possible, Thais decided to remain in it for an undetermined period of time.
In Latin
In “Herman de Valenciennes, The Passion of Our Lord” the narrator mentioned how everything that the priests speak about has the purpose of helping people get closer to God. However, in the same story, the narrator mentions that everything that could help people is written in Latin, thus making it impossible to truly understand.
Portrayed in a positive manner
In “Letter of Pilate to Tiberius” the narrator tells the story of Jesus and how he was tried and then sentenced to death. The man responsible for his death is presented as being Pilate, the one who refused to stand up for Jesus even though he was sure Jesus was innocent. Considering this, it is ironic to see how Pilate is still portrayed in a positive manner and described as being a savior rather than being just as guilty of Jesus’s death.
Poor sinful men
In “Letter of Pilate to Tiberius”, Pilate thinks about the fate of those who worked hard to kill Jesus and how they will be punished in the afterlife. Pilate sees himself above those men and thinks that he is not to be blamed for Jesus’s death. Ironically, as the story progresses, we see that this is not the case and that Pilate is also to blame. Thus, he will share a fate with those men who had Jesus killed.
