Church leaders
One of the ironic elements in the play is the idea that the Civil Rights Movement was started by religious leaders. While they promoted a peaceful process, some people became violent and thus for a while this attitude only made things worse for the black community as the rest of the population would blame them for everything that was happening.
Killing the husband
Also in the first act, the narrator talks about the first person killed by Lyle, the black husband of a woman he was sleeping with. This element is ironic especially when considering the statement Lyle made regarding black people and how he wants to have nothing to do with them and keep himself separated from them.
Having faith in the system
Another ironic element is the idea that the black community has faith in the legal system. The reason why this is ironic is because the legal system failed time and time again to protect the black population and instead offered protection to the white population guilty of killing black people.
Boycott the store
Another ironic element presented in the story is the idea that even though Lyle’s store was being boycotted, Richard still entered it and tried to make fun of Lyle. This situation is ironic especially when taking into consideration how Richard would have probably still be alive should he have not entered the store and made fun of Lyle.
The father is to blame
Another ironic element appears at the end of the play when Richard’s father testifies and accuses Lyle of killing his son. The father is also accused because of his sermons and the jury goes as far as to tell the father he is the one responsible for Richard’s death. Ironically, the father was also the one who insisted his son leaves home the gun he bought as not to hurt anyone.
