Ignorance of Modern Technology
Da-duh takes great pride in her knowledge of nature and the beauty of her land in Barbados. She asks her granddaughter whether New York has anything comparable to her sugarcane fields, palm trees, or tropical gully. When Da-duh asks if there is anything like her tall royal palm in New York, the granddaughter responds that New York has buildings “hundreds of times this tall.” Da-duh's response is one of disbelief and anger while accusing the girl of lying. Ironically, Da-duh's pride in her natural environment blinds her to the technological advancements that define the modern world. Her knowledge and identity become limited and small against the more industrialized world. Therefore, her belief that nature's grandeur cannot be surpassed is shattered by the realization that man-made structures dwarf her tallest tree.
Scorn versus Fascination
Throughout the story, Da-duh expresses disdain for New York as a barren and artificial place compared to the lush landscape of Barbados. She remarks, “I’ve heard that’s a place where you can walk till you near drop and never see a tree.” However, when the granddaughter describes the snow in New York and its effect on the trees and landscape, Da-duh is fascinated. The irony is in Da-duh’s simultaneous scorn and curiosity. Though she dismisses New York as inferior, she is captivated by the descriptions of things she has never seen. Her reaction reveals the unconscious desire to understand and perhaps experience this foreign world.
Resistance to Change
Another irony in the story is the way Da-duh succumbs to the power of the modern world, which she has so vehemently resisted. Da-duh's death occurs during the famous 1937 strike in Barbados when British planes fly low over the island in a show of force. The planes' noise and presence cause chaos but Da-duh stays by the window and watches as if witnessing the invasion of her world by the modern forces. It is as if she is finally confronted by the reality she has denied—the might of modernity is real and unstoppable. Ironically, despite her resistance, Da-duh dies in the face of the very forces of change she has opposed. Her death symbolizes the defeat of her traditional world by the encroaching power of the modern era.
Invincibility versus Fragility
Throughout the story, Da-duh portrays her world in Barbados as strong and superior to the urban landscape of New York. She is confident in the resilience of her land with its fruit-bearing trees. This confidence is ironic because her world is quite fragile in the face of modern forces. When British planes fly low over the island as a show of power during the strike, they ruin the land. Da-duh's refusal to flee and her death at this moment underlines the vulnerability of her cherished environment. The very forces she underestimated ironically upend her belief in the strength of her land.
Perceived Authority
Da-duh is portrayed as a matriarchal figure with significant authority and pride. She questions her granddaughter about New York with a sense of superiority, assuming her granddaughter will concede that Barbados is the better place. This perceived authority is ironic because she is powerless in shaping the future. Her inability to affect the future is highlighted when she learns that her granddaughter beat up a white girl in school. Da-duh's incredulous response—"Beating up white people now! Oh, the lord, the world’s changing up so I don’t even recognize it anymore"—reveals the irony of her position. Though she sees herself as a guardian of her cultural values and traditions, she is unable to grasp or control the changing world around her.
