The irony of unused potential
The novel centers around how stupid two supervisors are, because they fail to recognize the true talent and potential of their employees. This is an ironic quality of the supervisors, because it seems only in their best interest to make use of Shao Bin's artistic abilities right off the bat, but instead they let themselves make decisions based only on personal politics.
The irony of the cartoon's reach
No one at the company expected that from Bin's comics and journey toward Beijing that the public would stand behind him and help support him openly. His comics become so famous that he is untouchable; to fire Bin with the eyes of the public would mean disaster. Ironically, his frustrated attempt at humor ends up becoming something like a heroic superpower.
The ironic journey toward justice and reward
Ironically, Bin's journey toward justice does not end in legal victory. It ends when he proves (by journeying to Beijing and by getting popular there) that he is an effective artist and that he understands human nature. At that point, even though Liu and Ma don't see Bin's potential, their bosses do, and he gets a promotion more prestigious than theirs.
The irony of disenfranchisement and Bin's wife
If Bin is disenfranchised, then his wife is extra disenfranchised. Ironically, Bin must balance his powerlessness to change his circumstances with his wife's pleading for him to do something. Eventually he tries an adventure, and it works, but before that, it just seemed like the wife was trying to rub it in his face. The truth is that when he decided to do it for her, it worked.
The irony of Bin's promotion to propagandist
To receive a promotion seems totally appropriate and good for Bin. But a promotion to propagandist is ironic, because propaganda isn't a very rewarding, cathartic version of art. Nevertheless, at least he received the approval and recognition he deserves, but it does come at a cost. He will have to use his talent to serve the corporate interests of Communist China.
