At first, Mary is being honest by admitting that Elizabeth . Parris is extremely dismayed by this revelation because of the damage it will do to his reputation. How are characters behaviors affected by concern for their reputations? 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. How does the central tragic character change throughout the play, and how does this relate to the play's title? In this case, you're asked to discuss the concept of a tragic character, explaining who fits that mold in The Crucible and why. Miller carries the theme of hypocrisy through Parris by giving the reverend a very greedy nature. This website helped me pass! The Crucible by Arthur Miller is set in Salem in a Puritan community. This includes not only accusatory lies about the involvement of others in witchcraft but also the lies that people consistently tell about their own virtuousness and purity in such a repressive society. She is clearly outspoken and dominant, but her initial position in society is one of very little influence and authority. Giles got arrested for contempt. These two institutions fuse together in The Crucible to actively encourage accusers and discourage rational explanations of events. In the final events of Act 4, John Proctor has a tough choice to make between losing his dignity and losing his life. How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." The theme of guilt is one that is deeply relevant to John Proctor's character development throughout the play. This attitude comes from a man who has shown no remorse for condemning people to death throughout the play. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Create your account, 7 chapters | When this fallacy is used, the unrealistic characteristic is undesirable, causing the other person to look bad. Why is Giles Cory expelled from court? The Crucible presents a view of women that essentially reduces them to caricatures of human beings that are defined by their roles as mothers, wives, and servants to men. Miller portrays Danforths characterization as stubborn, highly religious, and arrogant in order to to provide a clearer understanding. Tituba, the slave of Reverend Parris, is the first to admit to dancing with the devil. Rebecca Nurse, a woman whose character was previously thought to be unimpeachable, is accused and arrested. Throughout "The Crucible", Abigail Williams commits the largest act of hypocrisy. John tells the judge to summon Elizabeth to back him up because he knows she always tells the truth. And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." 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. Arthur Miller portrays the protagonist, Proctor, as the tragic hero of his play The Crucible. 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. Proctor, a score of people have already testified they saw [Rebecca Nurse] with the Devil (pg. Danforths image is extremely valuable to him, and he refuses to allow Parris concerns to disrupt his belief in the validity of his decisions. "(3-84), since Danforth is in power for being the judge he thinks that everyone else is ignorant and not being equal as him. In The Crucible many examples of hypocrisy are shown. Essay prompts will ask about these themes in a variety of different ways. In this play, the author illustrates the central idea that people should not allow jealousy to control their actions. The ruthlessness with which the suspected witches are treated is aimed at purifying Salem, but it achieves the opposite outcome. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. Sign language interpreters, though extremely helpful, do not allow deaf audience members to fully experience a show. Later in Act 4, Danforth becomes angry at the implication that Johns confession may not be the truth. Revenge in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Theme, Examples & Analysis, Allusion in the Crucible by Arthur Miller | Examples & Overview, Thomas Putnam in The Crucible | Character Traits, Quotes & Personality, Irony in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Overview & Examples, Abigail Williams in The Crucible | Quotes, Traits & Descriptions, The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Act 1 | Quotes, Overview & Analysis, Judge John Hathorne in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Analysis & Quotes, John Proctor in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Quotes, Analysis & Development, Reverend John Hale in the Crucible by Arthur Miller | Traits, Quotes & Analysis, Reverend Parris in The Crucible | Character Traits & Quotes, Hysteria in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Theme, Quotes & Examples, Fear in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Quotes, Examples & Analysis, Judge Danforth in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Character & Quotes, Giles Corey Character Analysis & Quotes | The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Ruth Putnam in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Character & Analysis, Symbols in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Examples & Analysis, NYSTCE English Language Arts (003): Practice and Study Guide, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Study Guide, English 103: Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, EPT: CSU English Language Arts Placement Exam, ILTS English Language Arts (207): Test Practice and Study Guide, Common Core ELA Grade 8 - Language: Standards, College English Composition: Help and Review, Create an account to start this course today. 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. Though a character can have significant moral flaws, they can be wise enough to recognize their flaws and change their ways. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. Instead of living a simple life and managing his duties in the town, he is always complaining that he either does not have enough material items or someone is attacking him, all thoughts that a priest should not be concerning himself with. Thomas Putnam claims to be a holy, church-going man, yet his priority in life is to acquire land. Danforth explains that witchcraft is an invisible crime and that only the victims are reliable. What is the difference between dissent and disloyalty? Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. Where before she was just an orphaned teenager, now, in the midst of the trials, she becomes the main witness to the inner workings of a Satanic plot. 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. Parris is extremely dismayed by this revelation because of the damage it will do to his reputation. 61). His guilt leads to great tension in interactions with Elizabeth because he projects his feelings onto her, accusing her of being judgmental and dwelling on his mistakes. Because, the people of Salem will find out about the affair, this would weaken his reputation. 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. The Crucible by Arthur Miller, is a play based upon events that occurred in Salem circa 1690s. Historical Context. "She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris's house tonight, and without word nor warnin' she falls to the floor. The judges cannot force her to commit herself to a lie, and her martyrdom severely damages their legitimacy and favor amongst the townspeople. Interestingly, she was the first woman put to death in the trials. As John gives his confession, Danforth says to Rebecca Nurse Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. Proctors good reputation is almost a burden for him at this point because he knows that he doesnt deserve it. Every person has some kind of flaw; no one is completely perfect. Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. Giles Cory was expelled from court because he would not list people who signed the document about Putnam wanting to take land. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Though hysteria overpowered the reputations of the accused in the past two acts, in act 4 the sticking power of their original reputations becomes apparent. Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. An ad hominem means that it shifts the argument away from the issue to a personal attack on the person involved. Great, character-driven stories often have deeply flawed characters at their heart. Before I get into the nitty-gritty of howThe Cruciblethemes are expressed, let's do a quick overview of what themes are and why they matter. This is a lesson in how fear can twist perceptions of reality even for those who consider themselves reasonable under normal circumstances. 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. Ask below and we'll reply! One flaw that can always be found in society and the Crucible is hypocrisy. The irony is that, in the face of Johns rejection, Abigail turns around and creates her own lies soon after that give her increased control over the society she resents. In this environment, whoever yells the loudest seems to get the most credibility. Is reputation more important than truth? Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. In reality, he is constantly judging himself, and this leads to outbursts of anger against others who remind him of what he did (he already feels guilty enough!). This is interesting because the children are the ones that the rest of the village relies upon to condemn people to death. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. Elizabeth is a victim of cruel irony in this Act when she is summoned to testify on the reasons why she dismissed Abigail from her household. The Crucible's themes have lent the play artistic longevity because they're more or less universal to the human experience across time. To illustrate this, he simultaneously shows the Puritan belief system while describing characters that do not obey that system, yet pretend to in their daily lives. How does Reverend Hale make Tituba feel important? No one even considers Mary's statement about sticking the needle in herself. How do the actions of authority figures encourage the girls to continue their accusations and even genuinely believe the lies theyre telling? No one thinks a teenage orphan girl is capable of such extensive deception (or delusion), so she is consistently trusted. Always include specific details, including direct quotes, to support your argument about how the theme is expressed in the play. They use children's stories as evidence though not respecting them otherwise. Fear plays an immense role in the way people make their decisions, such as when the characters of Danforth and Mary Warren . In this act, we learn more details about the accused that paint a clearer picture of the influence of reputation and social standing on the patterns of accusations. The fear caused by the thought of supernatural evil in Salem causes the characters in the play to turn a blind eye to logic and instead believe in claims not backed by actual "hard as rock" proof. Flaws in Human Reasoning Create a Tragic Figure One tragedy is a result of numerous conflicts and wrongdoings. He's already accepted her testimony as evidence, so he is happy for any excuse to believe her over John and Mary.John finally comes to the realization that Mary's truthful testimony cannot compete with the hysteria that has taken hold of the court. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in. How does this philosophy perpetuate hysteria? Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. (Cheever pg. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. In Act 2, the value of reputation in Salem starts to butt heads with the power of hysteria and fear to sway peoples opinions (and vengeance to dictate their actions). As we discussed in this lesson, we see hypocrisy everywhere, and its depiction in art is no exception. Upon arriving in the court Mary Warren says, I cannot lie no more. This means that much of the population that remains is comprised of the power-hungry, the selfish, and the cowardly. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? Demosthenes made fun of Aeschines, a famous Greek politician who was also an actor, basically . As mentioned in the overview, religion holds significant power over the people of Salem. 129)He is still convinced that all the prisoners are guilty and is determined to force them to admit their guilt. Why is Cheever both astonished and afraid when he finds the poppet with the needle in it? This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. This lie essentially condemns both of them. 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. A theme is a central topic that is addressed by a work of literature. Its easy for more respectable citizens to accept that shes in league with the Devil because she is an "other" in Salem, just like Tituba. 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. Hereferences the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. This is taken as evidence that things are really getting out of control ("if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing's left to stop the whole green world from burning." Hale doesnt realize that his own fears and suspicions are the real powers of the dark. Elizabeth's side of the story is disregarded because Abigails testimony is far more dramatic. The Crucible is set during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. I propose that each and every one of us is, or at some time has been, guilty of hyopcrisy. Abigail is told by John to move on but instead, Abigail starts accusing the townspeople of witchcraft, including John Proctors wife Elizabeth. One theory of the cause of the trials is that people used the trials as a way to gain land. 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. 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? 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. Reverend Parris, the paranoid widower and heaven-ordained minister of the town of Salem, was, simply put, a hypocrite. In each paragraph these traits will be further explained . Choose a single character and discuss how this person embodies one of the themes. He claims that they must not jump to conclusions based on superstition in their investigation of Bettys affliction. What are some of the factors that feed the panic and suspicion in Salem, and why are. As Reverend Hale says to Danforth, Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots cry will end his life - and you wonder yet if rebellions spoke? (Act 4, pg. 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. Hypocrisy: A Human Flaw Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. He is weak and vulnerable after Abigail's theft of his life's savings, and hes even facing death threats from the townspeople as a result of John and Rebecca's imminent executions. I am with God, I, Danforth expresses his opinions on lying when Mary Warren enter his court to confess herself and he begins the conversation by saying, How were you instructed in your life? Why does Mary Warren behave differently when she becomes involved in the trials? In this act, we learn more details about the accused that paint a clearer picture of the influence of reputation and social standing on the patterns of accusations. I feel like its a lifeline. 121). She attended church regularly and was the embodiment of how a Puritan woman should behave. Even Judge Danforth, supposedly a reliable source of justice and solidity, goes against what he knows to be true by forcing those arrested to either confess to crimes they did not commit or face the gallows, all to save his name and prevent it from looking like he had hanged innocent people. Reverend Parris is in a position of power as the town's spiritual leader, but he is insecure about his authority. Fear that spread among a group of people in Salem during the Salem Witch Trials, that event in history is a prime example of Mass Hysteria. 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. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? While I speak Gods law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering (pg. Why is Cory arrested? The court's attempts to preserve Puritan morality by arresting and executing accused witches ironically lead to the removal of the most virtuous people from society. Being a hypocrite is one of the worst things you can be called youre someone who criticizes others and yet does the same sin yourself. No one will listen to Tituba until she agrees to confirm the version of events that the people in traditional positions of authority have already decided is true, a pattern which continues throughout the play. MPP friends writing about life, love, and everything else in between together. Both flaws led him to delay telling the truth about Abigail's fraudulent claims and their previous relationship, thus dooming himself and many others to death or imprisonment. She says, "My name is good in the village! 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. Other essay questions may not ask you directly about the themes listed in this article, but that doesn't mean that the themes are irrelevant to your writing. What is the writer attempting to convey to the viewer? AbracaDENIAL! He appears to have no governing system of morality. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. These types of statements made by Hale earlier in the play become even more ironic in Act 4 when he realizes he made a horrible mistake by trusting the evidence that was presented to him. The main point that the story revolves around is that people would rather lie and blame someone else instead of confessing and accepting the punishment. 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. Parris is hypocritical because he is not a . This hysteria-based evidence of witchcraft includes the discovery of the poppet in the Proctor household with a needle in it. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (pg. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie. The ruthlessness with which the suspected witches are treated is aimed at purifying Salem, but it achieves the opposite outcome. The classic example of an incorrect use of irony is in Alanis Morisette's song "Ironic" when she says that "rain on your wedding day" is an example of irony. The Crucible, a short play dedicated to these events in Salem shows us how hysteria was such a leading cause of why the Witch Trials had even occurred. Hale pg. Though their Bible would forbid murder, they condemn people to death with an excuse of witchcraft just to get land. I have not seen a single politician who isnt a hypocrite. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. Miller includes some commentary on Hale: ''One cannot help noting that one of his lines has never yet raised a laugh in any audience that has seen this play; it is his assurance that, 'We cannot look to superstition in this. This well-intentioned mistake seals both of their fates. The book is about witchcraft or what the town thinks is witchcraft. 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. 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. Revered Parris claims to be a godly minister, yet he is always clamoring for more: golden candlesticks, property rights, more money. First off, what is irony? John Proctor sabotages his own reputation in Act 3 after realizing it's the only way he can discredit Abigail. Danforth is the governor of Massachusetts who thinks of himself as a fair man. In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller repeatedly portrays that duplicity and deceit are a natural part of human lives. The town slips further and further into chaos and paranoia until it reaches a point of total devastation. Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. In fact, we've all seen hypocrisy in our daily lives. These types of statements made by Hale earlier in the play become even more ironic in Act 4 when he realizes he made a horrible mistake by trusting the evidence that was presented to him. 42). She was seen as a grandmother to the village. Miller fills us in on much of the history in breaks in the play where he offers commentary in his own voice. The cause of the hysteria was caused by Reverend Hale, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. Envy, Selfishness, and lust for money/power demonstrate the flaws of humanity through the actions of Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and Thomas Putnam. It is another trait we inherited from them, and it has helped to discipline us as well as to breed hypocrisy among us.'' What Are The Human Flaws In The Crucible 1560 Words | 7 Pages. The court refuses to challenge anyone who claims to have been afflicted. The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, is a story where many people had been accused of witchcraft and a lot of innocent victims faced a difficult decision. No one considers that the accusers are lying, partially because theyre seen as innocent children and partially because many witches confess to avoid the death penalty. When she cant get John to abandon Elizabeth for her, she decides to take matters into her own hands and gain control through manipulating the fears of others. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. 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. The crucible, based during the Salem, Massachusetts witch trials of 1692. . This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. The other two main female characters, Elizabeth and Mary Warren, are somewhat bland. Reverend Parris has fallen from his position of authority as a result of the outcomes of the trials. By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. In Act 1 he jumped on board with the hysteria to preserve his power, but he ended up losing what little authority he had in the first place (and, according to Miller's afterward, was voted out of office soon after the end of the play). Elizabeth doesnt realize that John is willing to sacrifice his reputation to save her life. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. In Act 3, Abigails power in the courthouse is on display. Read on for an overview of what a theme is, a list of important themes in The Crucible with specific act-by-act details, and a summary of how to use this information in your essays and other assignments. Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. 119). He is somewhat responsible for all of the witch trials; if he wouldn't of committed adultery with Abigail, she wouldn't have gone on her rampage of blaming people. Elizabeth notes that Mary's demeanor is now like that of the daughter of a prince (pg. Themes can be expressed in many different ways. The Crucible remains a staple of high school English because it is rich in themes that are consistently relevant to human beings regardless of time period. He refers to Johns refusal to confess as a calamity, looking past his own involvement in the larger calamity of the conviction that led John to this point. The narrator tells the audience that there is very little good to be said of him (Miller 1100), yet as a minister the people of the town look to him to be a pious religious leader. succeed. 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. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? In Act 3, Abigails power in the courthouse is on display. This is ironic because, Once the accusations begin, Parris initiates an ironic thought process that persists throughout. In the book the Crucible there are many hypocrites some dishonest some just following any one to be guilty, but one of the many character is Judge Danforth he mocks Marry when he ask "How were you instructed in your life? Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. Explain the irony of Hales position at the end of the play as compared to his actions at the beginning.
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