Irony of Loyalty
Having seen how lazy, entitled, and indifferent the British soldiers in the POW camp were Jim is sorely disappointed in them. The Japanese soldiers on the other hand display great discipline, patriotism, and a near fanatical disregard for the individual that impresses a young, impressionable lad like himself. Because of these incidences Jim identifies more with the Japanese than the British, going as far as to toy with the idea of signing up as a Japanese fighter pilot.
Irony of the New Normal
Jim spends a considerable amount of time in the POW camp and despite the difficulties he endures while interned Jim has learned to accept the Spartan life at the camp as his new “normal.” His acceptance of camp life is a testimony of resilience of the human spirit to accept most anything as “normal” given enough time and establishing regularity. The military camp is so ingrained into him that when the American forces eventually arrive to liberate the city he makes his way back there to the camp the first instance he could; surprisingly he isn’t the only one to think this way as a number of other POW’s make their way there as well making it a bittersweet reunion for the detainee-survivors.
Irony of Racial Solidarity
Racial solidarity is a myth, and Jim is initiated into the ugly reality of this fact when he contracts pneumonia in the POW camp. One would be tempted to expect that the other British detainees would be the most sympathetic to their fellow Englishman. Jim however is sorely disappointed, as the British detainees couldn’t care less if he died of illness. In fact many of them acted with an odd impatience towards him, as if it was indeed their wish that he died.
Irony of War
War, despite all the sweeping, grand speeches and the propaganda, is ultimately a stupid, wasteful, and pointless endeavor. Combat was carried out with a cold, calculating indifference rather than a passionate and purposeful approach. Jim also notes that often the fighting wasn’t carried out against fellow soldiers but rather taken out of the civilian populace.
Irony of Jim's Maturity
Jim’s maturity is fast-tracked by the war. It also teaches him more about the nature of the human spirit and ultimately himself better than any school or philosophy professor ever could. The privations of war also teach him to put great value upon human life and a deep and profound sense of gratitude for the things that he is able to enjoy. The most ironic reality about Jim's maturity though is this: it came at the cost of his innocence.
