That’s Ironic – Irony inThe Crucible

Objective

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.6 Analyze a case in which grasping a point of view requires distinguishing what is directly stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or understatement).

What makes this situation IRONIC??

Your favorite store advertises that it has been renovated to make shopping easier . When you stop in, you find that it is like a labyrinth . The aisles are so complicated that you actually have trouble finding your way out .

There is an ironic contrast between the advertised promise and the actual organization of the store.

What makes this situation IRONIC??

You wake up in the morning with the conviction that this is going to be a wonderful day . When you step out of the door , you slip on a patch of ice and break both of your legs .

There is an ironic contrast between expectations and reality.

What makes this situation IRONIC??

A mother tells her son to clean up the mess in his room . When she checks it later , she finds the floor covered with dirty clothes and cobwebs in the corners. “Great Job!” she proclaims .

There is an ironic contrast between the words said and the mother’s meaning.

What makes this situation IRONIC??

As a graduating senior, Stella was voted “most likely to succeed.” Two months after graduation, she is arrested for shoplifting.

There is an ironic contrast between the prediction and the outcome.

What makes this situation IRONIC??

A boss orders his employees not to eat or drink at their desks. When his secretary goes into his office to announce the arrival of his 10:00 appointment, she finds him dunking a jelly donut into his coffee.

There is an ironic contrast between words and behavior.

BASED ON THE

EXAMPLES ABOVE,

HOW WOULD YOU

DEFINE IRONY?

IRONY ALWAYS INVOLVES SOME

TYPE OF CONTRAST OR DISCREPANCY.

SOMETIMES IT IS AMUSING,

SOMETIMES PAINFUL, OFTEN

SURPRISING.

Explain how each of the following is an example of irony:

The name PROCTOR is of English derivation meaning “one who is in charge”

In the end, proctor’s attempts to take charge fail, and he is the victim of lies and inflexible justice.

Puritans believed that children should be seen, not heard.

The entire process Is based on the talk of children – all lies – aNd the adults that believe them.

One primary purpose of the puritan settlers was to maintain community unity in a theocracy

Their community is torn apart by conflicts between and among neighbors

Throughout the play, giles corey seems talkative, amusing, and even somewhat silly

In dying, Giles Corey says only two words, “More weight.” he is serious and responsible, “Fearsome,” as proctor says.

When questioned by reverend hale, john proctor forgets the commandment against adultery

Proctor forgets the commandment against the sin that weighs so heavily on his mind.

John proctor asserts that his wife will never lie, indeed, that she is incapable of lying.

Elizabeth does lie. A further ironic element is that her efforts to protect john actually condemns him.

The court believes the testimony of abby and the other girls, but it disbelieves john proctor and rebecca nurse.

The court believes the children to be innocent and truthful when they are actresses and liars. The court believes the honest adults to be lying.

In act 4, Danforth says that Reverend Parris is “a brainless man”

If danforth knows parris to be brainless, why has he given parris so much credibility and authority?

Danforth accuses elizabeth of being hard-hearted toward her husband’s death.

In fact, Elizabeth’s heart is breaking. She acts as she does out of love, not coldness.

Danforth asserts to proctor that he cannot accept a false confession

By the court rules danforth has upheld, the accused had to lie to save themselves.