The "Upside-Down' World (Situational Irony)
When Matigari explains his story, he exposes the inherent irony of an exploitative, capitalist world. Under imperialism, otherwise-self-sufficient skilled laborers are exploited and must go without the basic necessities that they could provide for themselves. For example, in Matigari's world, a "tailor wears rags," a "tiller eats wild berries," and a "builder begs for shelter." This situation is ironic because, as Matigari points out, the people who produce goods do not get to use them because the products of their labor are taken away by imperialists.
The Police's Duty (Verbal Irony)
When Matigari rescues Gũthera from the police attacking her, the officers tell her to "obey those whose duty it is to ensure peace and stability." This statement is ironic because the police harm Gũthera and destabilize the city despite their "duty" is to protect people.
Matigari's Quest for Truth and Justice (Dramatic Irony)
In his search for truth and justice, Matigari meets various groups of people who share stories about Matigari and his great deeds. These people hope to one day meet Matigari and trust that he will create peace. However, when Matigari approaches the people, they reject and criticize him, not recognizing that he is the very man about whom they speak. This is an example of dramatic irony because the reader knows that the man is Matigari himself, though the people fail to recognize him.
"Even the majority have human rights too!" (Verbal Irony)
During the council meeting, the Minister for Truth and Justice declares that "no government can allow 0.0001 percent of the people to disrupt the rights of the other 99.9999 percent" by violating laws and disrupting the peace. However, the minister fails to recognize that his laws violate human rights by allowing a small percentage of people to profit off the labor of the majority, suppressing the rights of the majority to protest or receive reasonable wages.
