Irony and alcholism in "The Drunkard"

p. 351 "My brave little man!" she said with her eyes shining. "It was God did it you were there. You were his guardian angel."

The irony in this statement is beyond hysterical. The first irony is that everyone expects Father to be the drunk one at the funeral when in reality, his son ends up drinking the beer. But, this isn't the only irony found in this situation. Not only is he drinking beer at 10, his mother is praising her 10 year old for stealing alcohol and getting drunk. In doing this, she is encouraging he son to drink and probably one day turn in to his father. So, while saving her husband from relapsing into another alcoholic fit and not showing up for work, she instead celebrates her son for drinking his beer. I'm reminded of the McDonald's scene in Big Daddy where Adam Sandler drops some ugly words in front of his kid and is told "nice parenting" by some sarcastic customer. So, nice parenting, mom.