Skip to main content

In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, what is the effect of verbal, situational, and dramatic irony?

As is the case with most irony, situational and dramatic irony is used in The Crucibleto increase tension and heighten suspense.  First, the situational irony of having children calling the shots in the witch trials undermines the authority of adults who should and do know better, and it increases tension for readers because these children are essentially in charge of who lives and who dies in Salem.  As Proctor says, "now the little crazy...

As is the case with most irony, situational and dramatic irony is used in The Crucible to increase tension and heighten suspense.  First, the situational irony of having children calling the shots in the witch trials undermines the authority of adults who should and do know better, and it increases tension for readers because these children are essentially in charge of who lives and who dies in Salem.  As Proctor says, "now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom [...]!"  The children's accusations overwhelm common sense, reputation, trust, everything that has always mattered.  That so much faith is put into the words of children, children who are fickle, easily manipulated, or often lie, creates irony of situation because it should be reasonable, unemotional, objective adults who are in charge of life or death scenarios (if anyone must be). 


Dramatic irony also increases tension for the audience, building up to the climax of the play.  Parris and the Putnams know that Abigail and the girls were conjuring spirits in the woods, but they keep this information from the magistrates until it is forced out during Act III.  Proctor and Abigail know that they've had an affair, but they keep this from the magistrates until John accuses Abigail of lying; Elizabeth knows too, but she tries to hide the information in an effort to save her husband's reputation (an attempt which, ironically, completely undermines Danforth's willingness to believe John).  Abigail told Proctor that Betty only "took fright" when her father jumped out of the woods and scared her, and that her illness has nothing to do with being witched, but he keeps this from the magistrates for two weeks.  However, we know all these things, and the audience, alone, has all the information -- information that so many characters seek to hide from so many others -- and this heightens tension for us, increasing our suspense and making the story that much more compelling and tragic because we can see how miscommunications, misunderstandings, and well-intentioned attempts to protect someone else result in dire consequences.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...

What gift did Della buy for Jim and why in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which... Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair.  Della is still willing to sell her hair so she can b...

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...