Irony of attraction
While Deanna is a wildlife biologist and has a deep connection with her surrounding ecosystem Eddie Bondo is a hunter with an opposite worldview. Their initial interaction begins from a place of rivalry as Eddie passing through the forest is searching for coyotes to hunt. Deanna believes in preserving the environment and refutes any external influences or human interferences. She has also embraced a life of solitude and appreciates nature more than human interactions. Therefore her attraction towards Eddie and eventual sexual relationship is ironic bearing in mind her strong stance.
Irony of solitude
The narrative consists of three protagonists who appreciate the serenity and beauty of solitude and isolation. Their individual drives to do so might be different but they all have embraced the idea of seclusion. However, the conflicts in their lives destabilize their world views and the bubble they have created in the natural environment. The longer they dwell in solitude the more they realize the significance of human connection and interactions. The concept each character initially disregarded is the interconnectedness between the human world and the natural world. The ecosystem becomes balanced because of the interdependence between the two worlds.
The irony of animal nature
Apart from characters who possess conflicting ideas about the environment, the narrative incorporates an animal as a protagonist. In the last chapter, the coyote takes the helm as the story is told from its point of view. This perspective proves to acknowledge non-human species are often misunderstood by humans. Eddie Bondo embodies the side of humanity that vilifies animals by viewing them as thoughtless savages. Ironically the coyote illustrates that rather than preying on domestic animals it is more inclined to hunt wild rodents.
Irony of Anthropocentrism
The narrative explores the misconception that humankind is the center or rather the most important aspect in the universe. Through characters such as Eddie and Garnett, the novel delves into the assumption that nature should be bent to always serve humanity. The characters on the other side of the spectrum prove that the interconnectedness between all living and non-living things brings balance. The narrative subverts the anthropocentric worldview by showing the ‘humanity’ in animals and ‘animosity’ in humans.
