1. Biblical name. Eli is a common biblical name, particularly in the older Testament, where it referred to respected religious figures, including a high priest and a judge. In the Christian tradition, Eli also has a positive connotation as a prophet and a mentor.
2. Role in community. Eli, in the story, is far from these traditional roles associated with his name. He is portrayed as a lazy and unproductive member of the community. He spends most of his time sleeping, avoiding work, and displaying no leadership or guidance.
3. Ironic contrast. The irony lies in the discrepancy between the expectations implied by his name and his actual behavior and contribution to the community. Instead of being a respected figure or a source of wisdom and guidance, Eli stands as an example of idleness and irresponsibility.
4. Social commentary. Achebe's portrayal of Eli can be seen as a social commentary on the contrast between the roles people are supposed to play based on their names or reputations and the reality of their actions and impact within a community. This irony highlights the gap between societal expectations and individuals' actual behavior and challenges readers to reflect on their responsibilities and contributions to their own communities.