Sympathy
Laura invites Tom to have tea with her as she sympathizes with him. Ironically, she learns that Tom is very much like her first husband who was killed in World War II and, rather than merely offering kindness, she falls in love with the young man.
Machismo
Tom is at odds with the boys of the prep school because they believe him to be effeminate for not liking sports and fantasizing about girls, or worshipping coach Bill. Ironically, we learn that this machismo does not make a man. Tom represents the reality of a man with a mind and sensitivity, one that Laura falls in love with.
10 Years
Ten years after his time at the prep school, Tom returns. He's written a book about his time there, and ironically when he returns he finds that Laura has left Bill and that she has remained in love with the young man for all of these years.
Bill
The young men of the prep school worship Bill as their idol. They believe him to be the measure of a man. Ironically, we watch as his wife Laura falls for Tom and eventually leaves him, as Tom is more the man that she desires than Bill.
Father
Tom's father arrives to find out that his son has slept with a prostitute. Ironically, he is pleased with this news, as he believes Tom has entered manhood. More ironic is the fact that Tom was not able to sleep with the woman, which deflates him.
