The Irony of Confession
Maria and her friends go to visit the Madonna in order to have their sins forgiven. Maria pleads for mercy to have a new life. The irony is that no one changes after their confession. They all sit around drinking, eating with no concern for how to make the necessary changes in their lives to live in accordance with the mercy they sought from the Madonna.
The Irony of Protection
One of the pimps offers Maria "protection" in the streets. To which she refuses, but the irony of his offer is that we see things get tough for her while he is around and he doesn't lift a finger to help her. Another prostitute fights Maria and instead of stopping it the pimp laughs and watches. And when Maria is drunk with rage after asking the Madonna for mercy, Wanda tells the pimp to help her and he says he can't be bothered he's too busy listening to music. His protection is false and merely a ploy to make money for himself.
The Irony Access
Maria has been picked up by the movie star, Alberto Lazzari and taken to a night club. He tells her to come in with him as she stands outside and he walks in. The irony is that even though she has the invitation to go in she stops and asks permission from the doorman if she can go in. Access to a higher way of living does not require permission, but acceptance.
The Irony of a Miracle
A procession of nuns walks barefoot in the streets by Maria and the prostitutes. Maria is drawn to them as if they have a magical power that connects directly to her soul. We see her walk out into the street, the only one of the prostitutes who does to watch them. She wants to follow them, and if she does she walks away from the life she leads. She is so close, but the irony is that the old life is right behind her in the form of a truck driver that calls her into his cab. And she goes. A miracle can't happen if you don't move towards it.
The Irony of Confession
Maria and her friends who are all prostitutes, pimps and thieves go to the Madonna to ask for mercy for their sins. We see Maria praying for a new life. Fellini then cuts to the group drinking wine and eating as if nothing has changed. The irony is that they desire a better life, but do nothing to make it happen. They simply expect that it will show up.
