Emma’s dancing career
Emma is introduced as a bright student coming from a family of educated parents. Emma is sent to Paris to study medicine so that she can become a doctor like her father. Ironically, Emma believes that her brains do not work for her. Therefore, Emma concludes that nude dancing is the best career because her body is more important than her brain!
The irony of aging
When Emma started her nude dancing career, she was young and pretty. Ironically, even after aging, Emma is still holding to her dancing career. She is becoming irrelevant because her looks are no longer appealing to clients as they used to be. However, Emma's career demonstrates the level of despair resulting from the rampant unemployment for the people considered foreigners in Paris.
The satire of racist societies
Most of the events discussed in the novel take place in Paris, a predominantly white society. However, there are other mixed color races such as Emma and others. Ironically, despite the white community discriminating against blacks in all aspects, they appreciate the hyper-sexual body of Emma! Emma is a nude dancer, and white men are always glued to her body when she dances, but after that, they see her as a slave.
The satire of the relationship between Emma and Ishmael
When Ishmael runs away from Haiti to save his life from the political authorities, he found refuge at Emma's place in Paris. Emma accepted Ishmael as a fellow statesperson, and she was willing to help him. After some time, Emma fell in love with Ishmael, and they started a sexual relationship. Ironically, instead of Ishmael being thankful and loving, he only uses Emma for his sexual satisfaction. The reader finds Ishmael's betrayal tactics ironic because he does the contrary to Emma's expectations.
The irony of the landlord
The author shallowly discusses the landlord, but the reader notes that he only loves money but hates black tenants. Consequently, it is satirical for the landlord to value money that comes from the people he hates. Nevertheless, this irony demonstrates that money runs the world and its source is no big deal.
