Situational Irony: Biju's House
Biju and his wife are very proud of their wealth and do not have any problem flaunting it in front of the rest of the villagers. They try to keep up a picture of contentment, even naming their house Anand Bhavan, or the House of Joy. But as the narrator notes, "But because of the closely planted trees and the lack of light and the untidiness of the big yard it looked more gloomy than joyful" (42). The name of the house is ironic, then, and points to how money may bring security and prestige but it cannot bring happiness or respect. It is not until Biju helps rescue the fishermen that he is seen as a valued member of the community.
Situational Irony: Hari and Fishing
By all accounts Hari should be adept on a boat, but Desai writes, "[Hari] hesitated: although he came from Thul, a fishing village, it was a long time since he had been in a boat" (111). This bit of irony reinforces how the family has suffered since Father took up drinking and lost his boat. Hari only works in the fields and has no recent experience on a boat even though his village lives and breathes fishing.
Dramatic Irony: Jagu's Home
This is sharp, uncomfortable irony: Jagu is a restaurant owner and does relatively well for himself, but lives in a rundown and squalid slum. He "counted himself lucky to be able to rent a shack in a zopadpatti" (186), but that does not seem lucky to Hari or practically anyone else. One would think Jagu would live somewhere decent but due to India's economic and social structure, he cannot, and he thinks he is lucky to live where he does.
Situational Irony: Hari and Sayyid Ali
Sayyid Ali is a well-respected, educated, and intelligent man, not to mention his advanced age. Thus, one would think he would have the answers on how to survive and weather change, but instead, and ironically, it is Hari—the young, poor, innocent, earnest boy—who helps Sayyid Ali come to an understanding about the necessity to always keep adapting in the face of change. He gains confidence and peace from Hari's simple explanation of his own plans, whereas one might traditionally expect him to give Hari life advice. With this irony, Desai asserts the wisdom inherent in a child's view of the world.
