The Irony “of a good looking man” (Prologue)
Taddeo writes about “The philosopher’s story, which began as the story of a good looking man whose less beautiful wife did not want to sleep with him, with all the attendant miserly agonies of dwindling passion and love." The philosopher's alluring looks would have charmed his wife and made her yearn for intimacy with him. The wife's unwillingness to be intimate with the alluring professor confirms that love and desire are not grounded on physical looks. Intimacy requires an emotional commitment.
"A man who will never contract an STD"
Maggie reflects, "That's wrong, he says, shaking his head. He means Solomon, the last name, is wrong. The way he (Knodel) says it and shakes his head, you know he's right. It's more than intelligence. He's the sort of man who will never contract an STD, no matter how many filthy women he sleeps with." Here, Maggie is describing Aaron Knodel's intelligence. She unconditionally trusts her former lover’s intelligence more than she trusts herself. Obviously, being intimate with filthy women would result in the infection of a man. However, Maggie is ironically convinced that Knodel would rise above the women’s filthiness should he be intimate with them. Maggie’s ironic observation about Knodel approves that she trusts him unconditionally even though their affair is non-existent.
“Teacher of the Year”
Taddeo describes, “In North Dakota right now, Aaron Knodel is the Teacher of the Year: across the whole state he is deemed the absolute best in the business." Aaron Knodel's title is ironic because Maggie confirms their past affair: “Six years ago, you were smaller, and he loved your little hands. Back then, his own hands fluttered inside you.” Knodel may be the best when it comes to imparting knowledge in the learners, but his affair with Maggie, his student, confirms that he engages in ethical practices. As “the teacher of the year,” he would not have been expected to be romantically involved with his students. Obviously, the awarders may not be acquainted with Knodel’s past actions and private life which is marred by unprofessionalism.
“I like it”
When Aidan asks whether Lina is unimpressed by being called kid, Lina replies, “I like it. I like it, so much.” Lina’s response is ironic because earlier own she is stunned that Aidan has called her Kid. She feels that she is old and not a kid since she is smitten. She affirms that she is not offended to impress Aidan, and she accepts the address due to her desire for Aidan.
“It feeds and eviscerates you at once”
Taddeo elucidates, “There is a nervous, weightless feeling in her bowels, as if she hasn’t eaten in days. She has, in fact, been eating less, because that is what love does, Lina has begun to see. It feeds and eviscerates you at once, so that you’re full but you are also empty. You don’t want food or the company of others.” It is impracticable for one to simultaneously experience fullness and emptiness. Lina is extremely excited due to her foremost experience with love. She feels that love is the only fundamental experience in her existence.
