Chapter 3, Irony

There is irony in the plaque that hangs in Billy's office that reads, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom always to tell the difference." There is irony in this quote, because Billy cannot change his past, although he keeps having flashbacks in an attempt to understand what has happened in his past. It is also ironic that the prayer "expressed his method for keeping going," because Billy is unenthusiastic about his life and the fact that he is still living (60).