Unwise Curiosity
When Arthur meets the woman in black in Eel Marsh House, he is scared. He wants to find himself in the light, cozy room and drink strong wine for good spirits. But despite all the strange things which happen here, he continues on to clear up all mysteries. The ironical fact is that "the human curiosity is so large," but unfortunately the main character does not understand that it could have bad results.
Herd Mentality
Discussing the accidents in Crythin Gifford, Arthur Kipps and Sam Daily offer to address the problems of the inhabitants, whose children die one after another. But people refuse to help them and don’t allow them to visit Eel Marsh House. They unwise in their ability to follow the herd: cowardly and indifferent. The irony is based on the fact that inhabitants don’t want to protect their children. They don’t understand that the children are in danger.
Incomprehensible revenge
According to the story, the woman in black kills all innocent children of Crythin Gifford in a search for revenge: “Her bitterness is understandable, the wickedness that leads her to take away other women's children because she has lost her own, understandable too but not forgivable.” The irony is that she didn’t take vengeance on her sister, despite the thoroughness of the rest of the destruction. As readers know, Jennet’s sister died at a ripe age, without torments.
