Irony of “Bloodchild”
The irony of the story “Bloodchild” lies in its premise: the humans came to an alien planet and became vessels used for breeding by the home species, as a compromise to prevent killings on both sides. Gan is taught by his mother to respect T’Gatoi as a blessing upon them, while being groomed to bear her eggs until they eventually kill him.
Irony of “The Evening and the Morning and the Night”
The irony of the story “The Evening and the Morning and the Night” lies in the revelation that the cure for the DGD is the disease itself, i.e. the women who inherited the disease from the both sides of their family.
Irony of “Near of Kin”
“Near of Kin” is a short story about incest. The irony of the story lies in the revelation that the protagonist’s uncle is actually her real father, and that the reason why her mother was cold towards her is out of fear of her daughter’s judgement.
Irony of “Speech Sounds”
Set up as a story of two people finding each other in a dystopian world, the story “Speech Sounds” takes a sudden and tragic turn when Obsidian gets killed trying to save children from a lunatic father. Rye is left alone and contemplating the sudden meeting and sudden loss of hope after Obsidian’s death, until she realizes that the children are able to speak and that there is still hope for humanity.
