The irony of the new house
Miranda and her family move into an empty house in Massachusetts, hoping to find peace of mind. Owning a home is one of the things Miranda's father has always wanted because that gives a sense of security to his family. Ironically, the new house has a dark history dating back two centuries. Through Miranda's vision using the dollhouse, she discovers that the past families who occupied the house experienced weird behaviors. The past events start to haunt Miranda's family when her mother abruptly changes into a hateful and vengeful woman. The mothers who occupied the house in the past experienced similar behaviors, which continue to reoccur every time a new family starts living in the house.
The irony of Dorothy
Dorothy‘s mother locked her in the attic in the 19th century, and people believed she died. Ironically, when Miranda opens the attic two centuries later, she finds Dorothy alive and looking young and energetic. The reader finds Dorothy's survival ironic because an individual cannot live for over two hundred years.
Miranda takes hugs from the neighbouring boy for granted.
The author depicts Miranda as a miserable girl haunted by the past. Miranda's situation worsens when her mother changes unexpectedly and becomes obnoxious, belligerent, and detestable. When Miranda interacts with the neighboring boy for the first time, he loves her. The boy hugs Miranda daily to comfort her and promises to take her to the movies. Incongruously, Miranda takes the boy for granted and never appreciates his effort. A girl going through distress should feel relaxed when a friend comforts her genuinely. However, Miranda is not appreciating the boy's kind actions.
