Irony of Robert/Gambler
Towards the end where Robert turns out to be the main antagonist and the vessel for the black and white painted gambler is when the most ironic statement of the entire plot comes out. Robert kidnaps Abby so that he can end the sacrificial ritual, and he reveals to her his concerns that people might confuse other gruesome killings with his. He ironically states how disgusting and revolting those murders have been and how he never wanted to hurt anyone.
Ironical compassion
Cole is a character that is confused about his identity and aware of the confused world around him. He's compassionate with the older white people he met, who feel that they've lost something, something precious and that it is still out there somewhere, something in the spiritual sense, despite their racist ways.
Alex
Alex is an ambiguous character that breaks the stereotypical boundaries of identity. He is a Native American teacher, always ready with humorous remarks and self-deprecating jokes. He is also a cross-dresser who falls in love with his colleague's daughter. Despite the most ambiguous when it comes to identity, it could be argued that he is the most self-aware and real character of the novel.
