In The Crucible Act, What is ironic about Danforth’s reasoning behind refusing to pardon the remaining prisoners or postpone their hangings?

Question

It is ironic that the villagers don’t totally support Danforth’s decisions.

It is ironic that his idea of justice extends more to those who have already been hanged than to those who are still alive.

It is ironic that he makes the decisions instead of letting a jury make the decisions.

It is ironic that Danforth became a judge since his father was a judge.

Answer 1

The most fitting answer regarding the irony in Danforth's reasoning behind refusing to pardon the remaining prisoners or postpone their hangings is:

It is ironic that his idea of justice extends more to those who have already been hanged than to those who are still alive.

Danforth's dedication to the integrity of the court and its previous decisions leads him to prioritize the reputation of the court over the lives of the remaining prisoners. He believes that to pardon those still alive would undermine the authority and the "justice" that has already been served to those who have been executed, highlighting the absurdity of his position and the tragic consequences of the court's actions.