How is irony portrayed through the character of Danforth?

Danforth's character embodies irony particularly through the belief that he is ensuring justice while, in reality, he is perpetuating injustice. He is deeply convinced that he is acting in the name of the law and moral righteousness, as seen in his insistence on conducting trials and adhering to legal procedures. However, his actions lead to wrongful convictions and the execution of innocent people, showcasing a profound disconnect between his intentions and the outcomes of his decisions. This irony highlights the theme of how authority figures can become misguided in their quest for order, ultimately harming those they intend to protect.

While other options touch on aspects of Danforth's character, they do not encapsulate the central irony as effectively. For example, while Danforth may seek to uphold the law, he does not merely ignore it in secret, nor does he manipulate facts in a traditional sense—he believes in the integrity of the proceedings despite the chaos around him. Thus, option A captures the essence of Danforth's tragic misjudgment and the resulting irony in a way that the others do not.