The Great Game (Verbal Irony)
The term "Great Game" refers to the geopolitical rivalry between the British and Russian empires over their respective influence in Central Asia. The verbal irony lies in the name of this conflict. The high-stakes political maneuvering is often treated as a "game" by the British officers and intelligence officials throughout the novel—but what is actually happening is violent conquest, colonization, and erasure of the Indian people by European powers. The use of the term "game" downplays the serious consequences and impact of these imperialistic struggles on the people and regions caught in the crossfire.
The Lama's Journey (Situational Irony)
From the beginning of the story, Kim joins the lama on his path to search for the River of the Arrow. What begins as a spiritual journey in search of enlightenment ironically takes a turn when Kim is recruited to be a spy for the British Empire. At various points throughout the story, the lama becomes the unintended beneficiary of Kim's various schemes. He accumulates wealth and is implicated in colonial violence, both of which stand in contrast to his original path. Although the lama rejects material possessions, worldly attachments, and evil, his friendship with Kim often implicates him in "unenlightened" activities.
Kim's Costume (Situational Irony)
When Kim leaves St. Xavier's to begin working as a spy full-time, the other agents suggest that he go undercover to complete his mission. The costume that they suggest Kim wear is the robes of a chela—in other words, the exact outfit that Kim used to wear when he was accompanying the lama as his disciple while searching for the River of the Arrow. It is ironic that Kim is dressing up as his former self, and it shows the interconnectedness between the lama's enlightenment mission and Kim's spy missions.
Kim's True Identity (Dramatic Irony)
From the opening pages of the novel, the reader is made aware of Kim's parentage and background. However, for a significant portion of the beginning of the story, Kim is oblivious to (and in denial of) his identity as a white, British boy. The dramatic irony arises from the stark contrast between Kim's perception of himself as a street-smart Indian deeply entrenched in the local culture and the reader's knowledge of his orphaned British lineage. The dramatic irony in this instance serves to highlight the intricacies of identity and colonialism, and the complexities of cultural belonging in the context of the novel.
