Sympathizer
Although his real name isn't revealed, Sympathizer (as he is known) is far from being sympathetic. In fact, Sympathizer is a traitor and not a good human being. This irony creates a major conflict in the novel.
The Committed
The Committed is fundamentally a Vietnamese story but is written in English because author Viet Thanh Nguyen knew that his book would be easily accessible. The "imperial language of English," he said, "has greater access because of the power of the United States," despite the novel not being an English-centric story.
Torquemada
Readers know that the man was Bon's Torquemada. None of the characters, however, knew that the man was Bon's Torquemada.
Communism
The Sympathizer used to, as his name would suggest, be a former communist sympathizer. However, his chosen profession (a drug dealer) is one only a staunch capitalist (and not, ironically, a communist) would choose.
The French
The French supported the Vietnamese revolution both morally and logistically but were defeated by the Vietnamese in the Indochina war. Being defeated by someone in war who you had previously supported so fervently is heavily ironic.
Racism
The Vietnamese were victims of tremendous racism, but some turned out to be racist themselves. Despite their lived experiences, and although they witnessed how damaging racism is, they acted racist themselves.
