These attributes are seen in both character, John Proctor from Arthur Millers play, The Crucible, set in Salem in the early seventeenth century and in Atticus Finch from Harper Lees novel, To Kill a Mockingbird set in New York in 1950. The second major theme in The Crucible (and one that teachers often ask about) is fear and hysteria. Arthur Miller used this notion of hypocrisy when he wrote The Crucible to show us the theme, or underlying message, that a hypocritical society can be dangerous. No one thinks a teenage orphan girl is capable of such extensive deception (or delusion), so she is consistently trusted. The girls are essentially given permission by authority figures to continue their act because they are made to feel special and important for their participation. In The Crucible, there are many characters that feed into or contribute to the rapid spread of witch hysteria in the small village of Salem. Hale tries to combat his guilt by persuading the prisoners to confess, refusing to accept that the damage has already been done. The cause of the hysteria was caused by Reverend Hale, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. The prisoners have lost all faith in earthly authority figures and look towards the judgment of God. I will not have it said my name is soiled! Giles got arrested for contempt. No one even considers Mary's statement about sticking the needle in herself. Though the Puritans believed that children were not to be taken seriously, they are later convinced by the court officials that the children are the authorities on witchcraft. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, list of every single character in the play, details on the history and thematic parallels behind this connection. The theme of guilt is one that is deeply relevant to John Proctor's character development throughout the play. This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? He chooses to die instead of providing a false confession because he doesnt think life will be worth living after he is so disgraced. Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. In fact, we've all seen hypocrisy in our daily lives. Here are a few discussion questions to consider after you've read my summary of how the theme of reputation motivates characters and plot developments in The Crucible: If you're an old beggar woman who sometimes takes shelter in this creepy shack, you better believe these jerks are gonna turn on you as soon as anyone says the word "witch.". Each new false confession is thrown onto the pile of evidence of a grand Satanic plot, and as the pile grows larger, the hysteria surrounding it is fed generously. Danforth has extensive pride in his intelligence and perceptiveness. Why does John decide to ruin his reputation in Act 3 by confessing to the affair? When Hale asks him to recite his commandments, the only one he forgets is adultery. He shows the hypocrisy of the Puritans by showing their belief system and how they have not acted in accordance with those beliefs. Arthur Miller speaks of Reverend Parris, stating: ''until this strange crisis he, like the rest of Salem, never conceived that the children were anything but thankful for being permitted to walk straight, eyes slightly lowered, arms at the sides, and mouths shut until bidden to speak.''. How do the witch trials empower individuals who were previously powerless? Elizabeth's side of the story is disregarded because Abigails testimony is far more dramatic. These two institutions fuse together in The Crucible to actively encourage accusers and discourage rational explanations of events. This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. However, this runs up against Danforths desire to preserve his reputation as a strong judge. A man of conscience is one who is aware of his moral and ethical beliefs and judgments and one who will prefer right over wrong. In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. She puts on a fake front to get what she wants, ultimately creating a persona thats even worse than that of the hypocrites she criticizes. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (pg. They are extremely biased towards believing they have made the correct sentencing decisions in court thus far, so they are reluctant to accept new evidence that may prove them wrong. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. Themes can be expressed in many different ways. An example would be something like: "How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? Johns concern for his reputation is strong throughout the play, and his hesitation to reveal Abigails true nature is a product of his own fears of being labeled an adulterer. John tells the judge to summon Elizabeth to back him up because he knows she always tells the truth. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. Will you confess yourself with him? (pg. John Proctor sabotages his own reputation in Act 3 after realizing it's the only way he can discredit Abigail. One such example would be the scene in which Proctor and Parris are discussing Parris style of sermon, when Parris randomly exclaims that he is not being provided with as much wood as his contract spells out, as well as arguing for an extra six pounds per year. Though a character can have significant moral flaws, they can be wise enough to recognize their flaws and change their ways. The first is that she is looking to escape . Act 4 is Danforths turn to shine in the irony department. Create your account, 7 chapters | The accused people of Salem are all innocent and have nothing to do with neither witchcraft nor convening with the devil. People could not take another's land unless it was left to them in a will; however, if someone were to be executed for a crime, that land belonged to the state and could be re-distributed. Salem is under attack from the hysteria that is encouraged by the same people who seek to keep imaginary supernatural demons at bay. The ruthlessness with which the suspected witches are treated is aimed at purifying Salem, but it achieves the opposite outcome. -Hypocrisy is the state of falsely claiming to possess virtuous characteristics that one lacks. The turmoil in Salem is propelled forward by desires for revenge and power that have been simmering beneath the town's placid exterior. Here's another example of a potential essay question for The Crucible that's less explicit in its request for you to discuss themes of the play: "Most of the main characters in the play have personal flaws and either contribute to or end up in tragedy. The idea that a witch's familiar spirit is capable of stabbing people is too scary for the superstitious and now hysterical people of Salem to give Elizabeth the benefit of the doubt. Theme 3: Reputation. Many villagers, especially Abigail . The faces that people present to the public are designed to garner respect in the community, but the witch trials have thrown this system into disarray. In today's society no one want to hear about something they fear, they would rather it be left alone than try to understand it. Interestingly, she was the first woman put to death in the trials. How is Parris fate in act 4 ironic when considering his role in the events of the play? Character Flaw List: 30 Intriguing Character Flaws | Now Novel Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. Some will be very direct. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, we have Rebecca Nurse. Here are a few questions related to this theme that you can use to test your grasp of irony and its significance as a theme in The Crucible: Hale wrongly assumes that his academic mindset will save him from jumping to the wrong conclusions in the witchcraft investigation. Danforth continues to demonstrate the effects of hysteria in act 4 even after things have died down a bit in Salem and there have been rumblings of discontent about the courts actions. He wrote the play as an allegory of McCarthyism, when the US government discriminated communists. This entry was posted in offline website builder software for windows 10 on June 30, 2022 by .offline website builder software for windows 10 on June 30, 2022 by . The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a dramatic play that expresses a very important message and that is how far people would go to save themselves from the hands of death. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. Arthur Miller portrays the protagonist, Proctor, as the tragic hero of his play The Crucible. If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. In this act, she yells Dont lie! at Tituba immediately before she tells some of the most damning lies of the play accusing Tituba of witchcraft (. People in power continue to believe the accusers out of fear for their own safety, taking the hysteria to a point where no one is above condemnation. His only goal is to get on the good side of the community as a whole, even in the midst of this bout of collective hysteria. This lie essentially condemns both of them. The Crucible is a tragedy play written by Arthur Miller. This vicious cycle continues to claim the lives of more and more people as the play progresses. Ask questions; get answers. In Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, the events that occurred during the Salem witch trials are dramatized, and the truth of judgement and vengeance is examined in a web of lies amongst the townspeople. Being in contact with someone else means mediating between ourselves and the other. Danforth, who has the most authority, is also the most sold on her act, and it only takes a few screams to persuade him that hes in the presence of witchcraft. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. In the case of a play like The Crucible, themes are revealed mainly through the dialogue of the characters. The petition he presents to Danforth is used as a weapon against the signers rather than a proof of the innocence of Elizabeth, Martha, and Rebecca. The people who preside over the trials are corrupt. Even before the witch trials, the people of Salem are doing lots of little magic tricks to make all their unholy thoughts and actions disappear. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! What are some of the factors that feed the panic and suspicion in Salem, and why are. Furthermore, this is destructive influence because by telling Elizabeth to tell Proctor to lie, this adds upon his sins. 119). I highly recommend you use this site! Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. Examples Of Weak In The Crucible - 444 Words | Internet Public Library references the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. This is also the commandment that he has violated most explicitly, so youd think it would be the first one to spring to mind. Explain the irony of Hales position at the end of the play as compared to his actions at the beginning. To illustrate, here are some examples of . Thomas Putnam who has grudges against the people of Salem, and Abigail is a shameless liar who leads the accusations against the people of Salem. Can a work of art bring about change in the world? The Crucible is set during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The Crucible is not only a dramatization of . A 17-year-old girl named Abigail Williams had an affair with John Proctor, a wealthy, married man. John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. When the petition testifying to the good character of the accused women is presented, the reaction from Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris is to arrest the people who signed it rather than considering that this might indicate that the women are innocent. He believes that Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now. Envy, Selfishness, and lust for money/power demonstrate the flaws of humanity through the actions of Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and Thomas Putnam. Tituba attempts to tell the truth about Abigail when she says, You beg me to conjure! 50). They could either confess to being guilty and is punished and put into jail or deny any relationship with the devil and be hanged and killed. A real example of irony would be if two married guests got into a fight about going to your wedding that ended in their divorce. Ask below and we'll reply! SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. Miller portrays Danforths characterization as stubborn, highly religious, and arrogant in order to to provide a clearer understanding. When he starts to realize he continues to avoid people from getting mad at him for putting innocent people in jail and killing them. Her jealousy of Elizabeth Proctors position as Johns wife has led her to attempted murder, first by the charm in the woods and now by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft. One of humanity's biggest flaws is that people would do anything to help themselves. Reverend Hale enters as a specialist from Boston who has seen the effects that witchcraft has had on others. Demosthenes made fun of Aeschines, a famous Greek politician who was also an actor, basically . Examples Of Character Flaws In The Crucible - StudyMode Two characters who demonstrate how mob mentality can lead to the demise of Salem are Abigail and Mary Warren. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. In a case like this, you'd be writing directly about a specific theme in connection to one of the characters. How do you think Arthur Miller wishes the audience to respond - eNotes The town slips further and further into chaos and paranoia until it reaches a point of total devastation. Read this character flaw list (with examples) for inspiration and develop interesting character weaknesses: 1. This attitude comes from a man who has shown no remorse for condemning people to death throughout the play. First off, what is irony? We saw that Arthur Miller used the Puritans in The Crucible to explore the themes, or main ideas of a text, in order to make the statement that society can be hypocritical and that we should question intentions. In one of the most well-known quotes in the play, John Proctor angrily insists that the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom (pg. In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. 22). Fear plays an immense role in the way people make their decisions, such as when the characters of Danforth and Mary Warren resort to hypocrisy when no other options remain.
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