Irony of Roy and Celestial's Marriage
Celestial mistrusts Roy's interactions with other women and fears that he is unfaithful at the beginning of the book: she sees the number of another woman written down on a napkin, and makes him wear a condom out of fear that he has cheated on her. However, Roy does not cheat on Celestial at all, and she is the one to leave him for another man instead.
Irony of the Old Woman
Roy helps an old woman at the hotel where he and Celestial are staying and the two have a pleasant interaction. Ironically, she ends up being the one to accuse him of rape and ensure that he gets sent away to prison for a crime he did not commit, in spite of the fact that he helped her.
Irony of Roy's Release from Prison
When Roy is released from prison, he experiences freedom for the first time in many years. However, his wife has left him, he cannot find a job, and his mother has died, leaving him confused, in a world he doesn't understand, and trapped by the misery of his life. He may be released from prison, but he still finds himself in a prison of his own life.
Irony of the Criminal Justice System
The American criminal justice system claims to be a force that imprisons criminals and helps victims get the justice they deserve. However, An American Marriage shows the flaws of this system, and how someone can receive severe punishment for a crime they never committed just because of their race. A sytem that is supposed to protect people ends up causing them serious harm.
Irony of Roy's Parents
Roy has grown up his with his mother and his step-father, who he views as his own father. However, when he goes to prison, he meets his biological father, who is his cell mate, and in a way, gains another parental figure. At this same time, his mother dies while he is in prison, so while he gains another parent, he loses one at the same time.
