Irony of beauty
Although Mei Lan has her feet bound in order to seem more beautiful and feminine, it ironically causes her broken feet, which is her biggest insecurity. This practice is therefore depicted as something that is harmful and detrimental to women. It is shown to not result in enhanced beauty.
Irony of art
Mei Lan is insecure about her broken feet and tells this to Ah Zhao. He too reveals his insecurity, which is his big nose. Later, Ah Zhao turns their insecurities into a piece of art, thereby making their insecurities beautiful.
Irony of Science
Dr Allen is a doctor and is therefore a man of science. CC's dreamlike story of Mei Lan and the origins of the painting Along the River are at first thought to be a story. However, the people and events from CC's story are shown to be historically accurate. This shocks Dr Allen, and changes his beliefs about science, making him more open minded.
