The Crucible Irony Analysis

Salem is a town that is centered on their religious beliefs. The church is the basis for their morals and ethics, but discovery of the actions of the town’s girls impacts the entire town. Reverend Parris discovers the girls along with Tituba conjuring up spells, singing Barbados songs, and dancing naked. This begins a series of events in The Crucible by Arthur Miller where he uses irony to show that guilt can cause the most upstanding men to act uncharacteristically.

Hale is invited to town to prove that there is no witchcraft in the town. He comes in with his books and godliness as the expert. The ironic part is that the only book allowed to be read is the Bible. As the trial goes on he finds himself saying, “I denounce these proceedings!”
Proctor’s subsequent praise to his wife to please Elizabeth in every way. “Proctor tastes the stew and compliments her, saying, "It's well seasoned", and she responds with obvious pleasure, "I took great care.” Elizabeth catches Proctor in a lie about being alone with Abigail "...If the girl's a saint now, I think it is not easy to prove she's fraud, and the town gone so silly. She told it to me in a room alone, I have no proof for it." Proctor’s affair with Abigail made Elizabeth not forgive him and not trust Proctor again, which he is guilty of the same thing. Proctor dreads revealing his sin because guilt and regret already overwhelm him. "I may think of you softly from time to time, but I will cut off my hand before I reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched." Proctor confessing because people he admires aren’t, but feels he should be hanged because he is a sinner. Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my