The paradox of memory loss
At the beginning of the novel, Richard is introduced as a businessman, husband and father. Paradoxically, Richard's life takes a drastic change when he meets Door in the street. Richard agrees to join Door into the Underworld, losing his memory and identity. Satirically, the memories of Richard are erased from all the people who knew him. Later, when Richard comes out of the Underworld, his memory is restored, and everything goes normal the way it was in the past.
The satire of Marquis
The rebirth and revival of death victims in the Underworld remains a mystery. Throughout the novel, Door is a traumatized girl because the supernatural assassins are haunting to kill her. Ironically, when the assassins kill Marquis, he is later revived, but Door's parents are never revitalized. The reader wonders what magic makes Marquis come back to life but fails to resurrect Door's parents.
The irony of Islington
Islington is a satirical character because he pretends that he does not know who killed Door's parents. When Door and his companions meet Islington, he promises to reveal who killed her parents, but they must first bring him the special key. However, Islington later uses assassins to kill Marquis to incapacitate Door's plan. Fortunately, Door finds the alternate key to destroying Islington and his army of assassinations in the Underworld.
The irony of Richard going back to the Underworld
When Richard goes into the Underworld, he does not know what to expect. Accompanied by Door and Marquis, they embark on a dangerous journey to find the killers of Door's parents. Ironically, Richard feels that the Underworld is the best place to be because it made him change his views about humanity. After coming to his old life and normalcy on earth, Richard again wishes to go back to the Underworld, and his wishes are fulfilled when Marquis comes for him.
