Ironic Twists in Parricide Punished

One of the biggest ironic twists in "Parricide Punished" is how the first person narrator loses credibility when he realizes the full truth of the story. The structural irony becomes apparent as the narrator realizes his error in judgment.

Initially, the narrator seems to be a reliable, old friend to the reader, since the story is written as a letter to his confidant and a mutual acquaintance with both he and M. de Vildac (27). He appears trustworthy, as he honestly admits his initial fear with "I own, my friend, I was terrified" (27).

In a revealing moment within the structural irony, the old man tells the narrator, "Fear nothing; come towards the fire; listen to my sorrows, and for a moment soften my sufferings" (28). The narrator is completely taken with compassion for the prisoner and listens to his story. Further displaying a trustworthy disposition, the narrator insists on helping the elder de Vildac as he offers "my house, my friends, my fortune, are at your service. No one will know who you are..." (29). The narrator appears to be a good judge of character, and a sympathetic listener.

However, the old man's advice to be unafraid leads the narrator and the reader to think he is merely the victim; yet, the prisoner later reveals he has murdered his own father. "Fear nothing" is verbal irony, for if a man can murder his own father- a stranger should absolutely be afraid. When the elder de Vildac refuses his help, and the narrator learns of the prisoner's crime, the old man can sense the narrator's swaying opinion. Calling himself, "the wretch who so lately moved your pity, is now become detestable to you," the old man vowed to remain in the dungeon for the rest of his life (30).

The narrator's emotions move from initial fear to compassion. Yet, when he learns that the prisoner committed the same crimes as his son, he realizes his initial reaction of fear was the more appropriate response. He questions his audience, "How, my friend, is it possible that humanity can produce wickedness so intolerable and unnatural!" (30). If his letter had continued, perhaps the narrator would have gone on to doubt his ability to see wickedness in disguise. The narrator is not only stunned at the horrifying events at the castle, but also shocked at his own inability to decipher good from evil. When the narrator realizes he can not trust his own instincts, the reader also learns he is not as reliable as he once seemed.