What is said about human nature in the short story 'The Destructors' by Graham Greene?

There's a few ranges in the irony, some more important than others. It was ironic that the boys burned the money they found, and it was ironic that we find Trevor does not hate Old Misery, despite the fact he is destroying his house.

"'I'd like to see Old Misery's face when we are through,' T said.

'You hate him a lot?' Blackie asked.

'Of course I don't hate him,' T said. 'There'd be no fun if I hated him.' The last burning note illuminated his brooding face. 'All this hate and love,' he said, 'it's soft, it's hooey. There's only things, Blackie,' and he looked round the room crowded with the unfamiliar shadows of half things, broken things, former things."

These factors are ironic because they're the exact opposite of what we'd expect them to do. Old Misery's fortune was also ironic: "Abstain from any dealings in first half of week. Danger of serious crash." The driver's reaction to the destruction of the house was also ironic.

T.'s father was an architect, yet he wanted to destroy Old Misery's house.

DESTRUCTORS EDIT! ITS WAAAAAAAAAAAY BETTER THAN ABOVE.

1) When the gang mebers disperse to steal free bus rides,"The operation was to be carried out in pairs to avoid cheating"

MY INTERPRETATION: They already are cheating by stealing bus rides.

2) As the boys finalize their plan of vandalism, Mike reminds them, "I've got to go to church."

MY INTERPRETATION: Well if your gonna destroy Old Misery's house that is a very big sin what point will there be in going to church?

3) Trevor finds Mr. Thomas's savings and is asked, "what are you going to do?" He replies,"We aren't thieves."

MY INTERPRETATION: Yeah ok don't steal the money that's very very bad but destroy the whole house and burn the poor guys life savings. yeah that seems better.

4)When Mr. Thomas returns early, Trevor protests in fury," But why? He told...It isn't fair"

MY INTERPRETATION:Okay, its totally unfair he said he would come back later but he came earlier. its not fair! We are not done destroying your house! Go back and come back later! Cheater! As if it is fair for them to destroy his house with no apparent reason.

5)When Mr. Thomas is locked in the loo, the boys give him a blanket and food for the night. "Penny buns--we've buttered them, and sausage-rolls. We don't want you to starve, Mr. Thomas."

MY INTERPRETATION: Yeah, we don't want you to starve but ofcourse we want you to have no house no money and totally anhialate your home, but ofcourse never ever would we want you to starve Mr. Thomas. oh no no!

6) So basically the point of all this irony is to prove that these little kids are not really a hardcore gang but they are just innocent kids with a consciess so yeah. i think. and all people are allowed to plagarize this or copy it for personal use i don't really care. So use it for homework and stuff. Peace

^you sound like your some serious critic of this book.

^lol ironic how this guy got the his irony material from the short stories III which is ^ ^compiled by Richard Davies and Jerry Wowk ^