Dramatic irony
There is a dramatic irony in the play's first scenes because the audience knows that Eva and Evelyn are one person. However, Evelyn's daughter, Faith, does not know because she thinks these are two different persons. For instance, Faith reads several letters sent by Helga to Eva while living with her foster mother in England, and she believes that her mother and Eva are two different people.
Situational irony
After Helga sends her daughter to England before the war starts, she expects to reunite with her later in life. However, when Eva arrives at her new foster family, she quickly assimilates and changes her name to Evelyn. After several years, Helga meets Evelyn and pleads to relocate with her to New York. However, Evelyn refuses to leave England because she no longer considers herself a Jew. The mother is shocked but has no option but to travel to New York alone.
Verbal irony
When Evelyn accuses Lil of being "a child stealer," she is being verbally ironic. Evelyn knows Lil has been the best mother because she loves her. When Evelyn first arrived in England, Lil taught her English, gave her unconditional love, and took her as a biological daughter. However, when Lil and Evelyn get into a confrontation over her past, she accuses Lil of stealing her from her parents. Consequently, Evelyn does not mean to abuse or disrespect Lil; she only lets out her frustrations.
