Crucible Essay

Dorrie Lee

Period 5

            In acts I and II of The Crucible, Arthur Miller expressed three types of irony. Through the actions taken by the characters and their words to words each other, the reader picks up on verbal, dramatic and things are just said.

            The verbal irony is shown when Mr. Proctor and Reverend Parris have and argument over Reverend Parris’ arrogance. Reverend Parris believes that his job is in jeopardy so he accuses people of being against him, “There is a party in this church. I am not blind; there is a faction and a party” (page1188). Reverend Parris is way off base with his comment and Mr. Proctor knows that. Mr. Proctor finds Reverend Parris’ comment so unbelievable he decides to run along with it, “Why, then I must find it and join it” (page 1188).

            In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the audience is presented with dramatic irony when Mr. Cheever shows up at the Proctor’s house late at night. Elizabeth Proctor has been charged by another character, Abigail Williams, of being a witch. When Elizabeth and John Proctor find out, they are horrified, so John suggests that they depend on Mr. Cheever for help. John was absolutely sure that there was some things Mr. Cheever could do some thing for his wife “Fear nothing. I’ll find Ezekiel Cheever. I’ll tell him she said it were all sport” (page 1207). Then out of the blue Mr. Cheever shows up to the Proctor’s house. They were so relieved to see him and then Cheever told them, “I am given six warrants tonight, sir” (page 1214). It was horrible news, Cheever was on the witch hunter’s side, but still the worse was yet to come. Cheever tells John Proctor, “I have a warrant for your wife” (page 1214). It is a disappointment to all.

            The irony of situation comes when the person least expected to be charged of witch craft is charged. Even the famous witch hunter, Mr. Hale from Beverly, is shocked when he hears that Rebecca nurse has been charged with witch craft. Mr. Hale says, “God forbid such a one is charged,” (page 1210). Mr. Hale has known about Rebecca Nurse and her good ways long before he even met her. The news about her charities had been spread all over the towns from Salem to Beverly. Why when he met her, he was so pleased. “You cannot be Rebecca Nurse” (page 1191)? She confirms her identity to her and begins telling her about all the good things he has heard about her. Now Rebecca stands accused of witch craft.

            In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the author expresses three types of irony. By showing how cruel and unpredictable people can be the writer shows his audience verbal, dramatic, and situational irony.