The irony of age
The paradox of age is prevalent throughout the fiction, raising questions about the capability of a man to be immortal. Surprisingly, Enoch Wallace is one human being whose age is beyond human comprehension. People know Wallace from when he participated in the Civil War, but all his age mates are long dead. Consequently, immortality of Wallace is a point of concern that even triggers U.S intelligence to form a private probe committee to investigate the secrets behind Wallace's age.
The paradox of the way station
The mystery of the Way Station set up by aliens surrounds the ludicrousness of Wallace's age. The reader realizes that Wallace gave the aliens land in exchange for immortality. However, the satire is that the moment the aliens decide to relocate, Wallace will not have any choice but relocate from planet earth forever. Therefore, despite living for so many years, Wallace is not a happy man because he fears his uncertain future.
The irony of Wallace’s neighbors
The reader asks the question, 'How is it possible that Wallace's neighbors fail do not comprehend his immortality?' The irony in this context is that the neighbors are scared of knowing the truth. Since Wallace lives a secretive life, neighbors think that the best way is to keep quiet. Therefore, since neighbors are not ready to inquire and investigate Wallace's extraordinary age, they will remain in the dark forever and never figure out the whole situation.
