The Irony of Andrea's Mixed Heritage
Andrea is the only one in her town to have a mixed heritage -- her mom being American and her dad Mexican. She grows up with her parents on the Mexico side of the border, under the constant care and protection. There she is treated according to her social status, as a superior among her peers. In America, however, she is surprised to learn the true meaning of her heritage. There she is treated badly and rejected for completely separate reasons. In Mexico she was a kind of princess, the daughter of everyone's lord, but in America she is one of many and far from her dad's protection. What once was her most valuable asset -- her heritage -- becomes the source of her suffering.
The Irony Andrea's Father
Andrea's father is a wealthy man, unlike everyone else in his town. He also has an American wife, another distinguishing factor. Having rejected his home culture enough to amass wealthy in America, he returns. He decides to live in the place where he is most conspicuous, most rejected, and most hated. He uses his wealth and Americanized habits to make his neighbors feel insignificant and inferior, rather than continuing to pursue his dream in America. His decision to return to Mexico is ironic, considering the reason he left was to distance himself from and reject the values of that culture.
The Irony of Revealing the Prostitute
When Andrea and Victor reveal the prostitute's occupation to the entire town, they expect the townspeople to be grateful. They want to see the prostitute humiliated, the same way the kids are always humiliated for being so privileged. They are surprised, however, to be treated with even more disdain than before. The townspeople were not happy to learn about their friend's illicit work, but they are even more disturbed the Andrea and Victor's betrayal in telling on her. The children's attempt to ingratiate themselves with the town fail miserably.
The Irony of Attending Catholic School
Andrea and Victor are sent to Catholic school, which normally is considered a huge privilege. They should be overjoyed at the opportunity, but they view it as a punishment. They had both flunked third grade, causing Andrea's dad to send them to this school with better supervision and academic rigor. The kids receive this sentence ungratefully because they don't want to be there, unlike all the other kids who have long dreamed of the chance of attending this school.
The Irony of Robbing the Prostitute
Andrea and Victor rob the prostitute because they want to give the money to the poor kids. They buy them toys, hoping to extend generosity and bless those kids. Ironically, nothing could be more insulting to the poor kids who receive the gifts with anger, feeling patronized. In return, they attack Andrea and her cousin, punishing them for the theft.
