Crucible Essay

Anthony Schoepfer

Period 5

            In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the author uses irony to show how ridiculous the people of Salem are acting. Most of the people of Salem are so caught up in the witch hunt that every body starts blaming each other. This leads to three types of irony: verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony.

            One example of verbal irony is Mr. Proctor’s sarcasm towards Reverend Parris. Parris is very paranoid and is only out for his own reputation. “There is a party in this church. I am not blind; there is a faction and a party” (p. 1188). Mr. Proctor, knowing that there is no faction or party, responds back to Parris in an ironic way, “Why, then I must find it and join it” (p. 1188). The author used verbal irony to express how Mr. Proctor feels about Parris.

            Dramatic irony is used with the Proctors and Mr. Cheever. The Proctor expects Cheever to help them. “Let you go to Ezekiel Cheever- he knows you well,” (p.1202) but the irony of it is that Mr. Cheever ends up arresting Mrs. Proctor, “I have a warrant for your wife,” (p. 1214) says Cheever to Mr. Proctor. Mr. Proctor was shocked by this because he thought Cheever would be the one to help.

            Situational irony is one of the most shocking types of irony used in The Crucible. One character, Rebecca Nurse, is known as the best person in Salem. “We have all heard of your great charities in Beverly,” (p. 1192) says Hale to Rebecca Nurse. This woman has spent her life being a sweat and giving person to the people of Salem and the people of Salem repay Rebecca by charging her with witch craft and locking her up. “Rebecca’s charged” (p. 1210)! Elizabeth is shocked by this news from Hale, because if Rebecca Nurse has been charged there is no hope for her.