Walt Becomes a Hero to People He Is Prejudiced Against (Situational Irony)
From the outset of the film, Walt displays open contempt for the low-income Hmong people who live in his neighborhood. When he draws his gun on Spider and his gang to get them to clear off his lawn, Walt unwittingly becomes a hero to the Hmong community for having protected Thao. In this instance of situational irony, Walt finds himself in the unlikely position of receiving gifts from people he hates. Gradually, however, he learns to accept their generosity and finds he has more in common with his Hmong neighbors than he does with his own family.
No Gun In Walt's Hand (Situational Irony)
In the climactic scene, Walt stands on the Hmong gangsters' lawn and fools them into believing he is about to pull a pistol from inside his coat. After the nervous gangsters all fire on him, the audience sees that Walt was simply pulling his Zippo lighter out of his pocket to light his cigarette. In this instance of situational irony, the gunfight the audience and the gangsters expected does not come. Instead, Walt outsmarts the thugs by showing up unarmed, ensuring that the gangsters who murdered him cannot claim in court they were defending themselves.
Prayed That Someone Would Show Up (Verbal Irony)
After learning of violence on Walt's neighbors' lawn from the night before, the priest visits Walt and asks why he didn't contact the police. Walt smiles while replying, "You know, I prayed that someone would show up, but nobody answered." In this instance of verbal irony, Walt pokes fun at the priest's belief in God by claiming to have prayed for help; the irony of his statement derives from the priest and audience knowing that Walt rejects religion and so did not actually pray, as he claims.
Walt Leaves His Car to Thao (Dramatic Irony)
During the reading of Walt's will, it is revealed that Walt has left his prized possession, his 1972 Gran Torino, to Thao. Walt's granddaughter had wanted and expected the car to be given to her. In this instance of dramatic irony, the audience understands the gift is a symbol of the affection Walt had for Thao and Thao's family. Meanwhile, Walt's estranged and selfish family are confused and offended to learn Walt has excluded them from the will.
