The Irony of Vacations
Bryson writes, "but even that was a relative treat. Usually we were forced to picnic by the side of the road. My father had an instinct for picking bad picnic sites- on the apron of a busy truck stop or in a little park that turned out to be in the heart of some seriously deprived ghetto, so that groups of children would come and stand silently by our table and watch us eating Hostess Cupcakes and crinkle-cut potato chips- and it always became incredibly windy the moment we stopped, so that my mother spent the whole of lunch time chasing paper plates over an area of about an acre." Vacations are customarily enjoyable and memorable. However, in this case, the vacations are not pleasant due to the choices which the father makes. The picnic sites result in inconveniences which reduce the pleasure which is inherent in holidays. Accordingly, not all vacations are absolutely smooth and enjoyable.
“They are not clean people”
Bryson writes, "Eventually, I grew up and moved to England. This irritated Mr Piper almost beyond measure. It was worse than being a Democrat. Whenever I was in town, Mr Piper would come over and chide me. ' I don't know what you're doing over there with all those Limeys…they are not clean people." Bryson responds, "Mr Piper, the English and paragons of cleanliness. It is a well-known fact that they use more soap per capita than anyone else in Europe." Accordingly, Mr Piper's remark concerning the uncleanliness of the English people is ironic. Bryson's response indicates that Mr Piper is biased about the English people based on his idiosyncratic experience which cannot be utilized to arrive at a general conclusion concerning the English people's cleanliness. Citation of the soap utilized in Britain debunks Mr. Piper's flawed conclusion.
The Irony of “A big sign”
Bryson describes, "Hardly anyone ever leaves. This is because Dess Moines is the most powerful hypnotic known to man. Outside town there is a big sign that says WELCOME TO DES MOINES.THIS IS WHAT DEATH IS LIKE. There isn't really. I just made that up." Bryson's admission about the nonexistence of the town is a metafiction which underscores the hypnotizing environment in the town. Being in Des Mones is similar to dying because it is extremely serene. The supernormal serenity encourages inhabitants to reside there for long.
Mr Piper’s Insults
Bryson recounts, "His favourite pastime, apart from getting drunk and crashing his car, was to get drunk and insult the neighbours, particularly us because we were Democrats, though he was prepared to insult Republicans when we weren't available." Mr Piper's tendency to insult Republicans is ironic considering that he is a Republican: abusing them is comparable to insulting himself. His self-defeating behavior accentuates his habit of insulting people based on the party orientation. Perhaps, his alcoholism contributes to the penchant for insulting others.
‘Foreign Country’
Bryson elucidates, "As soon as I was old enough I left.I left Des Moines and Iowa and the United States and the war in Vietnam and Watergate, and settled across the world.And now when I came home it was to a foreign country, full of serial murderers and sports teams in the wrong towns." Regarding his home a 'foreign country' is an overt irony which underscores changes which transform Bryson's home after his departure. He would easily feel at home after the return because it is his hometown. The changes hinder him from recognizing his memories of home which he had throughout his exploration of the world.
