The Irony of Smiles
Wen is fascinated with smiles. She likes studying other people's smiles. During her studies, she realizes, "Too many people have smiles that don't mean what a smile is supposed to mean." Smiles are supposed to represent happiness. However, some people may smile even when they are sad. Besides, smiles can be used to mock others, especially the smiles of bullies. Smiling does not necessarily mean that one is happy. It takes keenness to determine whether a smile is real or fake. Some people are experts in masking their sadness and pain with smiles.
“I am Not Supposed to Talk to Strangers”: An Irony
When Leonard approaches Wen, she tells him unequivocally that she will not speak to him because he is a stranger. Her dads have forbidden her from engaging in conversations with unfamiliar people. However, Wen goes on to have a lengthy conversation with Leonard despite him being a stranger. Leonard manages to hold a long conversation with Wen because he first creates a rapport with her. He talks to her nicely so that she forgets he is a stranger. Leonard lowers himself to Wen's level by asking about things preoccupying her world. Consequently, he wins her trust, and they converse as if they are friends and not strangers. In the course of their conversation, they get to know each other.
“She would never look at them again”: An Irony
Wen begs her dads to allow her to view her childhood photos. Some photos depict her cleft lip, whereas others depict her reconstructed clip. After seeing them, she promises she is not interested in seeing them again. Accordingly, she stores them away. However, she does not keep her word. She sneaks into her dads' room are views the pictures without their knowledge. Her ironic act of looking for the picture after declaring that she will never view the pictures again depicts an unconscious longing for childhood memories. The pictures are the only gateway to her childhood which is very blurry considering that she was adopted by her dads from China. Accordingly, she does not have memories of her Biological parents. The pictures act as a link that satisfies her unconscious longing for childhood memories.
