Paul’s Casual Attitude at the Barbecue (Dramatic Irony)
Quinn attends a barbecue at the Galluzzo’s house, which he suspects was thrown for Paul’s benefit. Quinn hasn’t seen Paul since he witnessed Paul viciously beat Rashad Friday night. The reader knows Quinn saw Paul, but Paul has no idea. His casual manner as he grills burgers and jokes around with Quinn about girls seems to convey that Paul is unbothered by how badly he hurt Rashad. Quinn is shocked to see Paul nonchalantly icing his fist, which is covered in scabs, as if it’s nothing. Little does Paul know how off-putting his attitude is to Quinn, making Quinn question Paul even more.
Rashad’s Father Also Used Excessive Force (Situational Irony)
When Rashad’s father reveals that as a police officer he shot and paralyzed a Black teenager, it surprises Rashad. The novel explores police brutality, but the focus has been on Paul Galluzzo’s treatment of Rashad. In this instance of situational irony, Rashad’s father, a Black man, was guilty of making the same assumptions, with tragic consequences. His revelation brings the topic of blame closer to home, muddying simple binaries of good and bad, black and white.
Rashad’s Father Shows up to the Protest (Situational Irony)
After Rashad’s attack, his father is critical of him. He questions Rashad’s behavior, trying to find out what Rashad could have done to provoke Paul. As a former police officer, he reminds Rashad that many police officers are trying to do good. On the day of the protest, he leaves for work as usual. Therefore, when Rashad’s father shows up and joins the protest, it is a moment of situational irony. Despite expectations that he would not come, Rashad’s father chooses to support his son, publicly coming out and condoning Paul’s actions.
Rashad Doesn’t Know Who Quinn Is (Dramatic Irony)
The final scene of the novel portrays Quinn and Rashad lying arm's length away when their eyes meet. It’s an emotional moment for both of them, but in different ways. In this instance of dramatic irony, Quinn and the reader feel the weight of the moment, understanding how interwoven Quinn and Rashad’s stories are. Yet, Rashad doesn’t recognize Quinn. He feels he knows him, that there’s some kind of mutual understanding, but it ends there. To Rashad, Quinn is just one of many people who showed up to support the protest.
