The irony of parenting
Children need to be close to their parents while growing up to develop confidence and feel secure. Therese recalls her childhood and the demise of her father while she was a toddler. Satirically, Therese's mother sent her away to a boarding school in Europe shortly after her father died. The reader finds it ironic that Therese’s mother wants the daughter to be away from home. As a result, Therese becomes lonelier, and this affects her psychological growth and confidence.
The irony of Therese’s romantic relationship
While in Europe, Therese finds a boyfriend, and she starts a long-term relationship with him. Therese needs company, and she wants to boost her level of confidence because her career requires courage. Ironically, Therese does not love her boyfriend because she is not romantically attracted to him. Therefore, Therese only wants to kill foredoom and loneliness.
Same-sex relationship
Same-sex relationships are becoming popular in contemporary society. However, the reader asks the question, 'What is the motivation behind same-sex relationships?' Towards the end of the story, the revelation is shocking. Satirically, the desire for same-sex relationships is driven by depression, loneliness, and other forms of neglect. Therese is having a sexual relationship with Carole to forget her sorrows. Therese is having psychological issues due to loneliness, and she feels comfortable being around her fellow woman. Carole is divorcing her husband to live with a fellow woman to feel secure.
Harge’s refusal to allow Carole to see their daughter
After divorcing Carole, Harge does not want her daughter to be visited by her mother. Harge realizes that his ex-wife is a lesbian, and he makes up his mind that he will raise their daughter single-handedly. Ironically, Harge fails to understand that his daughter will grow up lonely, longing to be close to his mother. Consequently, Harge’s daughter might end up being a lesbian like her mother because she lacks feminine company and lover in her childhood.
The irony of life
Therese's life story shows the satire of life. Therese has never been happy throughout her life. For instance, Therese's father died while she was a young girl, and immediately she was sent away to a boarding school in Europe. Therese suffered from loneliness and failed to experience any form of romance with her boyfriend. Later, Therese meets Carole, a woman facing divorce challenges with her husband, and they start a relationship. Later, Carole breaks up with Therese when she goes back to pursue custody of her daughter. After many years, Therese reunites with Carole, but her entire life story is full of loneliness and sorrow.
