The irony of "exotic" people
The novel paints a dilemma about one of its characters, because in the wake of his absence, many people in Michael's community agree behind his back that he is guilty of fetishizing Black people for being unique and exotic. However, the irony is that most Black people in America feel that they should be treated the exact opposite way, as if they belong and are valuable, not because of their skin, but because of their species. They are human beings, so what really is an "exotic" person? All humans are essentially equal in the eyes of nature.
The irony of race
The irony of race is demonstrated throughout the whole book, especially the ironic reality that although philosophically, race has no part in determining one's worth existentially, it often does play a role in one's perception of duty, and in one's access to opportunity. The ironic nature of race relations in America has been long noted, but of course it stems from that one time when America took Africans as slaves and kept all Black people in a lower caste, because of unbridled hatred and racism. Toni Morrison has not forgotten about that.
The irony of gender
Gender is something that should not come between the disenfranchised, but it often does, because men who feel disenfranchised by the public often abuse their wives, because the sheer torture of their emotional injustice makes them feel that in their home, they should be in charge. Toni Morrison finds this "status quo" to be highly ironic, because her characters are obviously neglecting that gender offers opportunities to support a community in different ways. Women are an asset to any community.
The irony of escape
The issue of escapism is presented in many of the characters who leave, but first, it is the conversation that the communities have in the absence of their community members. When someone goes off to college, everyone tries to figure out if they will ever come back, or if they will permanently leave their home to make some new life for themselves where things are easier. The community longs for its members to bring their new growth back to the family at home. Then again, who could say there is no reason for a person to want escape? Life is very difficult, especially in intersectional communities.
The irony of opportunity
If people want to, they could analyze their own privileges, starting with their birth into the world. Those who are born in developed countries are given better access to opportunity, but sadly, there is an implicit irony about opportunity in this novel, which is that clearly white people still consistently have better access to opportunities, both by real privilege, but also by perceived roles, because to leave a low-income Black community to become educated is often regarded tragically.
