What is the irony in the novel a child called it?

you don't give up no matter what. you fall, get up and keep running. David's life was bad but he never let life take him out even through all the beatings and horrible abuses his disguntly sick wench of a mother concocted. he took it and never showed fear to his mother. so no matter what you have been through or have overcome you can always be great, you don't take your eye off the prize. david knew his hero would come one day if he just kept living.