Dev’s Submissiveness Enrages His Bullies
In an ironic twist, Dev’s complete lack of resistance against his bullies enrages them further. Dev’s passivity frustrates his tormentors, who seek a reaction from him. His instinctual, "ragdoll submissiveness" makes it impossible for the bullies to intensify their abuse because Dev does not fight back. This denial of resistance defies the typical bully-victim dynamic, where bullies expect some form of pushback to justify escalating the abuse. Ironically, it is Dev's submission that renders the beatings pointless and takes the enjoyment out of bullying him. Instead of being seen as weak, Dev becomes even more impenetrable and impossible to break.
Missing the Beatings
Ironically, Dev begins to "almost miss Calmer’s beatings" because the physical abuse represents human contact. After the bullying stops and Dev is shunned entirely by his peers, the loneliness that envelops him becomes unbearable. The irony lies in how something as violent and painful as bullying becomes preferable to the isolation that follows. The beatings are at least an acknowledgment of his existence, whereas the complete indifference he faces afterward makes him feel invisible.
Dev and the Farmer’s Nonchalance
Later in the story, Dev, having suffered physically and emotionally, stumbles barefoot and injured into the path of a farmer and his daughter. The farmer’s ironic response is to greet him casually as “the barefoot pilgrim” and then ask for help driving cattle. Despite Dev’s obvious disarray and exhaustion, the farmer treats his injuries and struggles with nonchalance as he expects him to carry on as if nothing is wrong. Even in his broken state, Dev is asked to help someone else while his suffering is brushed off.
Ferdia Brothers and Dev’s Irony-Filled Relationship
The relationship between Dev and the Ferdia brothers is laced with irony. On the surface, the brothers assert control over Dev by using his house as a base for their operations. However, it is Dev who is left with the property. When Gabe tells him, he has “the bones of a decent place” and that owning property at his age is fortunate, the irony is overwhelming. This unwanted ‘gift’ is both a burden and a mockery of Dev's lack of agency in the situation.
The Town's Perception of Safety
The small-town setting is portrayed as a place of safety and community cohesion. However, this perceived safety is contradicted by the hidden violence and corruption lurking beneath the surface. The town is depicted as a close-knit community where everyone knows each other, which creates an illusion of predictability. This perception is ironic given the underlying violence and personal conflicts that disrupt the veneer of tranquility. The town’s outward appearance of safety is a stark contrast to the reality of its dangerous and morally ambiguous underbelly. This irony critiques the idealization of small-town life as uniformly safe and wholesome.
