The Satire of Matsu
When Stephen arrives in Kobe, Japan, he expects to meet their family servant called Matsu to show him direction and offer any other necessary support that he might need. Satirically, Matsu only greets Stephen and leaves him to do other things independently without offering much support, which contradicts Stephen's earlier expectations.
The irony of musical tastes
At first, Stephen viewed Matsu as an unapproachable person who was self-centered and focused on his servanthood responsibilities in their house. Satirically, later Stephen learned that Matsu has a unique musical taste that conceded with his. Matsu's musical tastes, such as Mozart, reminded Stephen of his piano music teacher. Consequently, Stephen is astonished to learn that Matsu is a talented singer and has a great taste for music besides being a dedicated servant.
The irony of the two swimming girls
Stephen is in love, and he realizes that sexual attraction when he sees two girls swimming alongside him on the beach. Ironically, Stephen hides from them because he does not have the confidence to talk to them. After swimming, steepen goes home, but he cannot stop thinking about those two beautiful girls. Stephen kept on going back to the beach in the following days, hoping to see them again. Therefore, Stephen wasted his opportunity at sight when he failed to approach the girls and tell them his feelings.
The irony of homesickness
Stephen is excited when Matsu tells him that his package has arrived. Upon opening the package, Stephen reads the letters from his mother and his sister Pie. Satirically, instead of the letters making Stephen happier, he becomes lonely than before because of the feeling of homesickness.
Father’s decline of a swimming lesson offer
Stephen had missed his father for a long time, and when he finally returned, he was overjoyed. When Stephen went to the beach, his father accompanied him, and that was the greatest experience ever. When they arrive at the beach, Stephen offered to teach his father a swimming lesson. Sardonically, the father declined and promised maybe some other day. Stephen became disappointed, and he felt lonely again.
