“We do value Diversity”
Peter asserts, “The minority students have been protesting…They want the administration to establish an Ethnic Studies department.” Kay responds, “Well, it is not that we don't agree with them…I mean, we do value diversity…It's the white students, too of course…All this focus on trigger warnings, political correctness. I'm afraid we're breeding a generation of coddled children. I'd like to think that we've raised you to not have that sort of entitlement, Daniel." If Kay unconditionally endorses diversity, she would not be critical of the students demanding ethnic rights. Condemning the students' approach surmises that she endorses white superiority; hence, would not expect Daniel who is not white to demand equality. For her, clamoring for Ethnic students' rights is equivalent to 'entitlement.'
“She Promised she’d never leave him again”
Ko writes, “She promised she’d never leave him again on the day they found their doppelgangers.” However, the promise does not hold considering, “BY JULY, DEMING'S MOTHER had been gone for five months. Ever since the February day she disappeared, he had been waiting for a sign that she'd be back, even a sign that she was gone forever." Deming's mother's promise is not fulfilled considering her long-term disappearance from his life. The ironic aftermath of the promise demonstrates that Deming's mother is compelled by uncontrollable circumstances to leave him unceremoniously. The fulfillment of promise is contingent on a myriad of external factors some of which are destructive.
Deming's Math performance
Ko explains, “What a sweet idea, not finishing eighth grade. He could barely finish fifth…Yet when he tripped Travis Bhopa in math class Deming has been as shocked as Travis was." Evidently, Deming lacks a deep interest in academic affairs; hence, he feels that completing grade eight would be a milestone. Accordingly, it would be unbelievable for him to perform exemplary in maths. His ironic performance that surpasses Travis Bhopa’s affirms that he has a fixed mindset which hinders him from unconditionally concentrating on his studies. If Deming were to be positive about his academics, he would trounce Travis more often.
“She’s not in danger”
Deming requests Vivian, “You need to find her, she’s in danger.” Vivian replies, “She’s not in danger.” Vivian’s response, from Deming’s perspective, is ironic because it assures him that his mother is safe, yet, he feels that she is not safe considering that she has not come home. The answer, although it is intended to comfort Deming, does not console him, because he adores his mother. Vivian recognizes that Deming is too young to digest the circumstances of his mother’s nonappearance; thus resorts, to assuring him by asserting her conviction without offering deep elaborations.
“He didn’t belong”
Ko elucidates, “ Years before these transplants dared to venture out of their suburban hometowns, Daniel had been a city kid who memorized the subway system by fourth grade, Yet he felt like he didn’t belong. ” The mastery of the hometowns should have enhanced Daniel's sense of belonging; however it does not. Daniel's feelings are attributed to the non-presence of his mother in the hometowns. Her presence would have made him experience love and made him at home. He still longs for his mother unconsciously; he feels out of place in the familiar hometowns.
