Although irony is used throughout “The Crucible”, it is often mistaken or confused for other literary devices. Irony is words that are usually the opposite of their usual meaning. Authors use irony in their novels to catch reader’s attention and cause suspense. Irony is used so that you cannot always predict the end of the book. Irony is used many ways In “The Crucible” along with literature. Readers may have trouble identifying the differences between the literary devices and confuse irony for something else.
Irony is the concept of written or spoken words that generally mean the opposite of their usual meaning. It will lead you thinking one thing, but in the end it could be different. It adds an extra interest when you are reading. “When we use irony in our speech we are not especially aware of our creating a fictitious character.” (Schaeffer 178). Schaeffer talks about how irony can be confusing to some, and sometimes you aren’t aware of how you’re using it because the way people read irony is from the outside in. Irony occurs very often in literature, readers may sometimes not even realize. There are many different kinds of irony. For example, three common types are dramatic irony, verbal irony and situational irony. Dramatic irony is when the reader is given specific information that a character or narrator is not aware of. Verbal irony is saying one thing but meaning the other. Situational irony is when the outcome is significantly different from what was expected. There are many types of irony that are often used in literature. Authors use literature for many reasons, like showing suspense. Readers will think one thing, but in the end it turns out different. Irony is often used in “The Crucible” and you might not realize. “The two intrinsic parts of irony, then, are the hidden “real real” and an apparent but misleading real.” (Parkin). Rebecca Parkin explains the concept of figuring out where the irony is in stories. Sometimes they aren’t as obvious or just hidden well. There is dramatic irony in the play when Marry Warren brings a doll to Elizabeth after being in the witch trials. It was Abigail’s way of reconnecting with John Proctor and getting Elizabeth out of the picture. When Abigail becomes feels stabbing pains in her stomach one night, Abigail accuses Elizabeth. The authorities come to accuse Elizabeth of using voodoo to harm Abigail Williams. Abigail’s evil plan works, and leaves shock and suspense for readers. The readers can see the tension and action in this scene. Another example of irony in “The Crucible” could be John Proctors character overall. Throughout the play, readers are unsure what to expect from him but sometimes the outcome of situations are not expected. He is introduced as an adulterous husband attempting to release himself from the affair he committed on his wife. Yet he did stand up to his dishonesty but his reputation for reader’s …show more content…
A lot of people confuse irony for being a coincidence, in which an event that happens is not expected or planned. A coincidence can be very similar to irony in reading because some readers may look at it the same way, when really a coincidence is unplanned. Irony isn’t a coincidence because the narrator usually plans what will happen so it is a surprise for readers. People can easily mistake the term metaphor for irony because it’s an elaborate way of expressing something. “Anyone who tries to define irony is asking for trouble. The subject of many excellent books and articles, irony has been variously and profusely analyzed that some critics are now reluctant to consider it at all, preferring to regard it rather as a temporary literary obsession or as a modern concept almost totally irrelevant to medieval poetry.” (Rowland). Beryl Rowland explains how irony can be a difficult topic to explain and talk about. She says it is so profusely analyzed that critics are reluctant considering it at all. Authors aren’t always positive about using it in their stories. A lot of authors use different types of irony to get the readers attached, so they will want to keep reading. It is often mistaken because irony is very similar to other literary devices. The way to notice the differences is to really read it over and think about the other similar literature. Irony is more misleading from the beginning rather then being a
Irony is the concept of written or spoken words that generally mean the opposite of their usual meaning. It will lead you thinking one thing, but in the end it could be different. It adds an extra interest when you are reading. “When we use irony in our speech we are not especially aware of our creating a fictitious character.” (Schaeffer 178). Schaeffer talks about how irony can be confusing to some, and sometimes you aren’t aware of how you’re using it because the way people read irony is from the outside in. Irony occurs very often in literature, readers may sometimes not even realize. There are many different kinds of irony. For example, three common types are dramatic irony, verbal irony and situational irony. Dramatic irony is when the reader is given specific information that a character or narrator is not aware of. Verbal irony is saying one thing but meaning the other. Situational irony is when the outcome is significantly different from what was expected. There are many types of irony that are often used in literature. Authors use literature for many reasons, like showing suspense. Readers will think one thing, but in the end it turns out different. Irony is often used in “The Crucible” and you might not realize. “The two intrinsic parts of irony, then, are the hidden “real real” and an apparent but misleading real.” (Parkin). Rebecca Parkin explains the concept of figuring out where the irony is in stories. Sometimes they aren’t as obvious or just hidden well. There is dramatic irony in the play when Marry Warren brings a doll to Elizabeth after being in the witch trials. It was Abigail’s way of reconnecting with John Proctor and getting Elizabeth out of the picture. When Abigail becomes feels stabbing pains in her stomach one night, Abigail accuses Elizabeth. The authorities come to accuse Elizabeth of using voodoo to harm Abigail Williams. Abigail’s evil plan works, and leaves shock and suspense for readers. The readers can see the tension and action in this scene. Another example of irony in “The Crucible” could be John Proctors character overall. Throughout the play, readers are unsure what to expect from him but sometimes the outcome of situations are not expected. He is introduced as an adulterous husband attempting to release himself from the affair he committed on his wife. Yet he did stand up to his dishonesty but his reputation for reader’s …show more content…
A lot of people confuse irony for being a coincidence, in which an event that happens is not expected or planned. A coincidence can be very similar to irony in reading because some readers may look at it the same way, when really a coincidence is unplanned. Irony isn’t a coincidence because the narrator usually plans what will happen so it is a surprise for readers. People can easily mistake the term metaphor for irony because it’s an elaborate way of expressing something. “Anyone who tries to define irony is asking for trouble. The subject of many excellent books and articles, irony has been variously and profusely analyzed that some critics are now reluctant to consider it at all, preferring to regard it rather as a temporary literary obsession or as a modern concept almost totally irrelevant to medieval poetry.” (Rowland). Beryl Rowland explains how irony can be a difficult topic to explain and talk about. She says it is so profusely analyzed that critics are reluctant considering it at all. Authors aren’t always positive about using it in their stories. A lot of authors use different types of irony to get the readers attached, so they will want to keep reading. It is often mistaken because irony is very similar to other literary devices. The way to notice the differences is to really read it over and think about the other similar literature. Irony is more misleading from the beginning rather then being a