Irony of Opression

This passage reveals that the German soldier is oppressed, the author explores the idea with the use of irony. According to the passage, it mentions, “The German had a carbine on is back, and the tails of his dark-grey coat were tied around his legs, so that he walked with the wide-legged, ungainly tread of a bear”(Mulisch 41). Irony is presented to the audience in the subtle role of the German soldier. Mulisch incorporates the passage with specific diction that provokes the reader to look closer at the text. For example, "wide-legged" and "ungainly" ignite the idea of no stability. A person characterized as that idea  such is merely a puppet. Puppets don't stand still unless there is another person holding it. The higher authority like the commanders are the people gripping the string. With that the German soldier is the puppet. Therefore, this shows the irony of the characters. This idea is significant because it sends a message that not everyone in an authoritative institution is truly in control. All in all, Mulisch explores the irony between the different roles of the characters and society itself.