Situational irony-Meduse attack the spaceship
The Meduse attack on the spaceship is abrupt and unexpected. Bintu starts making friends on the ship and even having a love interest, Heru, whom she witnesses getting brutally killed by this species. This is also the first time the Meduse get introduced to the story, and their background and revelation of what they are comes after. This turn of events that abruptly shifts the plot of the story creates situational irony.
Who are the villains?
Meduse attack the spaceship and brutally kill everyone there except Binti and the pilot. Their entrance is that of a perfect brutal antagonist, but once their background is revealed, it turns out that their slaughter is justified by their beliefs that humans are vile killers hungry for death. This irony of the truth behind their actions creates a conflict and questions who the villains really are.
People are people everywhere
After Binti enters the negotiation hall at the Omza University, she notices quite a few of the professors scornfully looking at her and laughing at her appearance with the red clay over her body. She brushes it off, feeling even comforted with the fact that people on this new planet to her are the same as people on Earth regarding their judgmental nature.
Situational irony-Okwu becomes a student at Omza University
Okwu is the first Meduse whose character is revealed, with his anger and wish to kill Binti. His character progresses into being the one who gives her a chance to save her life and protects her from Meduse. As a condition of peace with Meduse the Omna Uni wants to have him as a student there to promote mutual respect. His character development and unlikely friendship with Binti is unexpected and creates situational irony.
