The Irony of Gabriel's Return to Israel
Gabriel was born in Israel. A troubled youth, he suffered one too many awful memories of that place and its cultural traditions, leading him to perpetually live abroad. Relatively happy now in France, he's also broke. When he hears that his grandmother has died, he is overjoyed to think that he stands to inherit some much needed funds. The ironic catch, however, is that he absolutely must return to Israel to claim it.
The Irony of Veducha's Cultural Prejudice
Veducha is a staunch Jew, deeply rooted in her cultural heritage. She has a long-standing aversion, borderline hatred, for Arabs. They are not welcome in her home, her life, or her country. Ironically, she awakens from her coma to meet Na'im, her new Arab caretaker. Relatively quickly Veducha realizes Na'im may be the last person she ever sees, so she sets about overcoming her lifelong prejudice.
The Irony of Gabriel's Arrival
Gabriel has finally worked up his courage, swallowed his pride, and returned to Israel only to learn that his grandmother is not dead. The only reason for his return is to claim his inheritance, but now he is forced to remain in Israel. . . until she dies. As morbid as that prospect is, Gabriel is more concerned with the injustice of having to live in this place he detests so much when he almost didn't even come for the few days necessary to claim his money.
The Irony of Adam's Grief
Adam is forever changed after his son's death. He retreats into himself, ignoring his wife and daughter emotionally in order to preserve his own delicate status quo. Unfortunately for him, he is missing the point. His daughter, Dafi, desperately needs her father's attention, especially after her brother's death. Adam ignores the only living hope he has left in order to pine after the one child he lost.
The Irony of Gabriel's Hiding
In order to avoid military service and a potentially final stay in Israel, Gabriel goes into hiding without even telling Adam. The irony of his decision is that now Gabriel lives in the Haredi community, posing as an Orthodox Jew. This means that Gabriel now willingly embraces the cultural trappings which he has so long and so adamantly hated. In a strange twist, the object of his hatred becomes his preservation.
