Irony of the Medical Field/“Modern Medicine”
Ironically, it is actually the doctors that recommend that Regan undergo an exorcism, not the priests. It is also ironic that despite the obvious very physical manifestations of her malady, the doctors actually pronounce her as healthy.
Irony of the Exorcists
It is ironic, nearly to the point of tragedy that even the exorcists, the supposed heroes of the film, are tragically flawed characters themselves. One exorcist is suffering from a crisis of faith and is highly skeptical of the possession, but is strong and physically fit, perfect for weathering the rigors of the exorcism rites. The other is rock solid in his faith and the belief that there is indeed a demon troubling the child. He also has the experience to enact an exorcism as well as the fearlessness formed by the years of combating demons, but he is physically frail and practically at death’s doorstep.
Irony of Chris’ Success
Chris’ success as an actress comes at the price of her daughter’s safety, quite possibly even her daughter’s soul. It is bluntly pointed out that if Chris had paid more attention to Regan and been more deliberate in making sure that her needs were met then perhaps she would have never turned to the occult to entertain herself and thusly never have gotten herself exposed to demonic oppression.
Irony of Fr. Karras’ Faith
Fr. Karras’ faith is God is restored and even bolstered, paradoxically, when he is confronted by the indisputable presence of the demonic possessing young Regan. It is the irrefutable presence of the profane and unholy that serves as a catalyst to snap him out of his disbelief, reminding the younger priest to uphold of his vows of service as a clergyman rather than his daily experiences as a priest serving in an urban depressed area.
Irony of Fr. Karras’ “Exorcism”
The exorcism was intended to release Pazuzu’s hold upon Regan and banish him back to hell. Instead of this however an emotionally distraught Fr. Karras initiates a half-baked exorcism rite that only ends up in him getting frustrated. In the end he falls back on his street smarts, taunting the demon instead, challenging him to inhabit his body then flinging himself out the window as an act of self-sacrifice and in the process purging him of the demon he had willingly allowed into his body.
Irony of Regan
The demon’s choice of earthly vessel is that of a prepubescent girl. This stark contrast between young, innocent, virginal Regan and the ancient, unimaginably perverse demon Pazuzu makes the act of possession all the more horrifying and scandalous as obscenities pour out of a child’s mouth and compel her to defile her body. The choice to inhabit Regan is also a profound statement proving that an evil being truly holds nothing sacred or above abasement.
