Sean's vs. Oakland Lee's Presentation
Sean and Oakland Lee as adopted children give presentations on their racial and cultural identities. Oakland's presentation is light-hearted and cleverly crafted by his white hipster parents making it appealing and humorous to the audience. He presents a pie chart comparing his DNA results with Oakland and the city's racial demographics, which creates a clever but shallow connection that garners laughter and approval. Conversely, Sean's presentation addresses the issues of being a person of color with adoptive white parents, which criticizes the superficial celebration of diversity without addressing systemic racism. Ironically, Sean's honest and critical approach is met with discomfort, which highlights the audience's preference for palatable narratives over uncomfortable truths.
The Lenape School Shooting
Orvil learns about the first recorded school shooting in America, which involved Lenape warriors in 1764. The irony is in the contrast between contemporary perceptions of school shootings and this historical event. The fact that Native Americans, often stereotyped and marginalized, were involved in such an event challenges the mainstream narrative. Furthermore, the historical context reveals a cycle of violence and retaliation, as the Pennsylvania legislature reinstated a bounty for Indian scalps afterward. This historical irony accentuates the deep-rooted violence in American history and its ongoing repercussions.
Survivors of Violence
Orvil's quest to understand his trauma through the experiences of other survivors of shootings is fraught with irony. He watches YouTube videos of survivors to seek consolation only to find that many are overproduced, emotionally manipulative, or insincere. The irony is that in seeking genuine connection and understanding he encounters superficiality and exploitation. This reflects the societal tendency to commodify trauma that further alienates those who seek healing and solidarity.
Opal's Attempt to Help
In a touching yet ironic moment, Opal, Orvil's grandmother, tries to come to his aid despite her struggles with chemotherapy. She falls asleep on the porch signifying both her determination and her frailty. This scene is deeply ironic because while Opal's intentions are noble, her physical condition undermines her ability to help effectively. It highlights the tragic reality that sometimes those who wish to offer support are themselves in need of care. It creates a commentary on the interconnectedness of suffering and the limitations of individual effort in the face of systemic issues.
Bullet Wisdom
The scene where the protagonist receives advice from a doctor after being shot is laden with irony. The doctor tells him that it’s not the bullets that kill but the path they take. This piece of wisdom is compared to clichéd sayings like "Guns don’t kill people, people kill people," or "The journey is the destination." The irony is that such platitudes are meant to offer solace but instead come off as hollow and detached from the protagonist’s painful reality. This moment highlights the absurdity of trying to find meaning in senseless violence through empty sayings. Thereby, it exposes the disconnect between the lived experiences of those who suffer and the superficial comfort offered by others.
