Cuban Missile Crisis
Everyone at the college is on edge and preoccupied with the Cuban Missile Crisis, thinking that the world is about to end because of an outside threat. This is an irony in George's life because the world is about to end for him not because of an outside threat but because of something coming from within.
Not Inviting George to Jim's Funeral
Jim's parents don't acknowledge their son's sexuality or the fact he had a loving relationship. They decide not to talk George about Jim's funeral so that they can remain in their state of denial. This is ironic because their leaving George out of the funeral arrangements does not mean that Jim was not gay and also means that they are mourning a son who did not exist rather than the son who did.
George's Death
George finally decides not to kill himself, and discards his gun and the suicide notes he has prepared. This is the biggest irony in the novel as as soon as he commits to a future and to living he has a massive heart attack and dies suddenly.
George's Relationship with Charley
George's longest relationship is with Charley and she loves him passionately and devotedly, which would surely give him the feeling of fulfillment that he needs. Ironically this enduring relationship cannot fulfill him because Charley is female and therefore he sees her as a dear and loved friend but only in a platonic way.
George is Returned to Jim
George finally wonders if he can have some kind of companionship again and is starting to enjoy Kenny's company bit this is also ironically when he starts to think of Jim the most and when Jim finally pulls him back to him and they are reunited in death.
