Irony of Lawson’s ingrained prejudice
Lawson decides to marry Ethel, mesmerized by her otherworldly beauty, and enjoys being seen as the white knight among her native family. Despite the love he feels for her, he is unable to get past the prejudice and ingrained racism upon the birth of his first son, contemptuously commenting on his dark sin.
Irony of the love story
The story starts off as a magical love story between two people from completely different circumstances, seemingly ready to overcome their differences, until the reality hits them. Both Ethel and Lawson realize that their differences aren’t easily overcome, which ends tragically for the one going against himself.
Irony of the pool
It is ironic how the pool is both a place of the birth of love and the place of its tragic end. Lawson and Ethel first meet on the pool, and at the end, Lawson decides to make the pool his final resting place, after losing all will to live.
Irony of Ethel’s love
It is ironic how Ethel is described to love Lawson the most after his violent outburst at her. She sees his love and sacrifice as a sign of weakness, while his anger and hatred towards her, in her eyes, implies his manliness.
