This makes him particularly averse to accepting that he's been fooled by a teenage girl. Of course, we know that Danforth has been trading peoples lives for lies this whole time. As said in the documents I read, the theme is "the fundamental and often universal idea of a literary artwork". How does reputation influence who is first accused of witchcraft? Will you confess yourself with him? (pg. 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. Abigail, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle towards more power over her situation. When she is brought in for questioning and claims to see Marys familiar spirit, she says Envy is a deadly sin, Mary.Abigail herself has acted out of envy for the entire play. Lying- Explain why the girls are more willing to lie . Is there any character besides John Proctor that represents the voice of common sense amidst the madness? 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. 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. But these themes aren't always easy to explain or dissect in the context of the play, and they can be even harder to develop into essays. 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. Is hypocrisy a natural human flaw? She attended church regularly and was the embodiment of how a Puritan woman should behave. Miller carries the theme of hypocrisy through Parris by giving the reverend a very greedy nature. This leads to Marys hysterical accusation of Proctor after she finds herself targeted by the other girls and about to be consumed by the hysteria herself if she doesnt contribute to it. John and Rebeccas solid reputations lead to pushback against their executions even though people were too scared to stand up for them in the midst of the trials. Elizabeth is defined by her relationship to John, and Mary is pushed around by other characters (mostly men) throughout the play. Act 4 is Danforths turn to shine in the irony department. Hypocrisy is "the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform". This makes him particularly averse to accepting that he's been fooled by a teenage girl. Just like generosity, honesty and kindness are natural in people with those tendencies. At the end this act, John Proctor delivers a short monologue anticipating the imminent loss of the disguises of propriety worn by himself and other members of the Salem community. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. Innocent and guilty people have been put to death underneath his Judgement, to him this demonstrates his superiority and power. John Proctor sabotages his own reputation in Act 3 after realizing it's the only way he can discredit Abigail. She continues to act under the assumption that his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, and she does not reveal the affair. It helped me pass my exam and the test questions are very similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com. 61). Throughout "The Crucible", Abigail Williams commits the largest act of hypocrisy. I will not have it said my name is soiled! Why is Cheever both astonished and afraid when he finds the poppet with the needle in it? Hale pg. How is the arrest of Rebecca Nurse a sign that the hysteria in Salem has gotten out of control? Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 Proctor changes from a normal citizen and sinner to a tragic hero with a high sense of morality. John attempts to crush his guilt instead of facing it, which only ends up making it an even more destructive factor in his life. In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar. She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. Hypocrisy is not simply failing to practice those virtues that one preaches, or known as saying one thing but doing another. Why does John decide to ruin his reputation in Act 3 by confessing to the affair? How is Millers underlying message revealed in one of these themes and through the character?". While touting his holy credentials, he claims that he dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of my conscience may doubt it (pg. Believer, Baltimore City IEP Chair, and 2:39 marathon runner. Danforth is the governor of Massachusetts who thinks of himself as a fair man. Thomas Putnam claims to be a holy, church-going man, yet his priority in life is to acquire land. The hysterical atmosphere and the dramatic performances of some of the accusers cause people to believe they have seen genuine proof of witchcraft. You can also read my full summary of The Crucible here for a review of exactly what happens in the plot in each act. Mary Warrens sense of self-importance has increased as a result of the perceived value of her participation in court. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. 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. By Act 4, many of the power structures that were firmly in place earlier in the play have disintegrated. He insists,I am not empowered to trade your life for a lie (pg. 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 Act 3, Abigails power in the courthouse is on display. 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. 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. 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. He is appalled by Elizabeths lack of emotion when he asks her to help the court get a confession out of her husband (pg. The court refuses to challenge anyone who claims to have been afflicted. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. The people in charge are so eager to hold onto their power that if anyone disagrees with them in the way the trials are conducted, it is taken as a personal affront and challenge to their authority. One of humanity's biggest flaws is that people would do anything to help themselves. Arthur Miller pokes fun at this in his commentary in the play and explains his intentions to the audience. The people who preside over the trials are corrupt. Abigail Williams was the main accuser of withes in Salem, and in her accusations she gained power in the town. For example, Bridget Bishop dressed in red, a color that was abhorrent in the Puritan eyes. If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. The play loosely follows the tale of Salem and how the trials came to pass. Reverend Parris has fallen from his position of authority as a result of the outcomes of the trials. The play takes place in the city of Salem, a city filled with people that would do anything to keep their reputation clean. Recall that hypocrisy is when someone's actions don't match up with the professed values. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. Abigail's strength in Act I is the strength that is within her ability to influence others. Abigails power skyrockets as the hysteria grows more severe. Hysteria blinds the people of Salem to reason as they become convinced that there is a grand Satanic plot brewing in town, and they must not hesitate to condemn anyone who could be involved. Take a look at this article for details on the history and thematic parallels behind this connection. How does this philosophy perpetuate hysteria? What Is The Hypocrisy In The Crucible. What the people of Salem have seen as demonic possessions of the girls is nothing more than an act of deception. This confess or die mindset is one of the central ironies of the play. The Crucible is not only a dramatization of . Human flaws such as lust for power, greed and jealousy explain the errors many tragic figures from books make, from Mr Kurtz to Lord Voldemort. Arthur Millers portrayal of a town in the midst of a downfall The Crucible, tells the story of how mob mentality and hysteria can significantly influence not only individuals but the whole town. This is interesting because the children are the ones that the rest of the village relies upon to condemn people to death. 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. John tells the judge to summon Elizabeth to back him up because he knows she always tells the truth. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is set in Salem in a Puritan community. Themes can be expressed in many different ways. By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. 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. Compare and contrast three authority figures in this drama: Hale, Danforth, and Parris. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. 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. Miller addresses a similar hysteria throughout his play. By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. As Abigail begins to be accused she is pressured to deter from the truth. This leads to Marys hysterical accusation of Proctor after she finds herself targeted by the other girls and about to be consumed by the hysteria herself if she doesnt contribute to it. Salem is under attack from the hysteria that is encouraged by the same people who seek to keep imaginary supernatural demons at bay. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Nowhere is there any consideration of ulterior motives. By examining the characters of the play, I believe that the three major characters who should be blamed the most for the witch trials are Abigail Williams. The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Judge Danforth a well respected man in the society that has the supreme rule over the court. What makes Danforth so unwilling to consider that the girls could be pretending? He questions Abigail aggressively because hes worried his enemies will learn the full story of what happened in the woods first and use it to discredit him. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. If you can show that you understand the themes of a work of literature, you've clearly mastered the material on a deeper level. Miller himself was blacklisted for refusing to testify in front of the HUAC, a committee that was created to investigate any person who might be a communist. MPP friends writing about life, love, and everything else in between together. In fact, we've all seen hypocrisy in our daily lives. 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. John Proctor sabotages his own reputation in Act 3 after realizing it's the only way he can discredit Abigail. 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. It is a somewhat fictional play about the Salem Witch Trials. Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. These people are the only ones who refuse to throw out false accusations or lie about involvement in witchcraft, so they find themselves condemned (this is the fate of Rebecca Nurse). The court refuses to challenge anyone who claims to have been afflicted. The Bible that the Puritans swore to live by is not being honored when they used the trials to condemn their neighbors to death. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in The Crucible. . Here again, he is driving the point home that the villagers were greedy and seeking land, so they put some of the pillars of the community to death for their own gain. 119). 91). The other two main female characters, Elizabeth and Mary Warren, are somewhat bland. An error occurred trying to load this video. I feel like its a lifeline. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in. He appears to have no governing system of morality. And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." Shes not a traditionally accepted target like the others (except in her susceptibility as a woman to the misogyny that runs rampant in the play). Themes tell us what the purpose of the work is. Hale truly believes that the accused have been marked by the Devil. This quotation shows the overall theme that hypocrisy is bred from the fear and condemnation of a society. John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. 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. Danforth and Mary Warren both embody hypocrisy, as seen when Mary says she cannot lie anymore and then lies when she becomes scared for her life, and Danforth when saying lying will send a person to Hell, but then forcing people to choose between lying and death. The Judge forcing people to lie to save their lives he cant see the wrong hes doing. They're also revealed though events in the plot. Tituba is pressured to confess and name the names of other witches to avoid execution, which leads to Abigail and Bettys accusations, now validated by a coerced confession. Tituba is conscious that she is in danger, she is also very frightened because her slave sense has warned her that, as always, trouble in this house eventually lands on her back (Miller, pg. Miller explains this further: ''long-held hatreds of neighbors could now be openly expressed, and vengeance taken, despite the Bible's charitable injunctions.'' 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. The each profess to want truth and to desire to punish actual wrongdoers. 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? By Act 4, many of the power structures that were firmly in place earlier in the play have disintegrated. Mary is a hypocrite, because she's supposed to be helping the church rid of conjurers of the devil but instead she is deceitful. This means that much of the population that remains is comprised of the power-hungry, the selfish, and the cowardly. To illustrate, here are some examples of . In a way,John welcomes the loss of his reputation because he feels so guilty about the disconnect between howhe is perceived by others and the sins he has committed. This fact could destroy his credibility, so he is biased towards continuing to trust Abigail. It's here that we see the hypocrisy of the situation. It's one thing to understand the major themes in The Crucible, and it's another thing completely to write about them yourself. The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. One theory of the cause of the trials is that people used the trials as a way to gain land. The thematic significance of hysteria builds quickly as accusations of witchcraft proliferate throughout Salem. Posted at 02:28h in motion to dismiss child support arrears by how does shakespeare present lady macbeth as ambitious. Sign language interpreters, though extremely helpful, do not allow deaf audience members to fully experience a show. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. The importance placed on reputation helps perpetuate hysteria because it leads to inaction, inflexibility, and, in many cases, active sabotage of the reputations of others for selfish purposes. Danforth wont listen to him for this reason. 61). 123). 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. People who were accused of witchcraft are wrongfully indicted, and those transgressions must be justified. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? In telling people they must confess to their crimes or be hanged, the officials show that they have already decided the person is guilty no matter what evidence is provided in their defense. In saying this he admits that a person can only avoid a hanging by confessing to witchcraft even if their statement contains no truth. A Comprehensive Guide. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! Abigails presence is always rife with irony in. Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. The town slips further and further into chaos and paranoia until it reaches a point of total devastation. The Crucible provides an example of how convenient lies can build on one another to create a universally accepted truth even in the absence of any real evidence. She continues to act under the assumption that his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, and she does not reveal the affair. 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). In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. Giles Cory was expelled from court because he would not list people who signed the document about Putnam wanting to take land. Once the accusations begin, Parris initiates an ironic thought process that persists throughout The Crucible: You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba! (pg. Most Important Themes in The Crucible, Analyzed. Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. Based on the background knowledge of the time, slaves were not considered part of the class system, so she was not valued as a community member. They so fear the devilish consequences of challenging the accusers that theyre willing to take them at their word and ignore any defenses the accused have to offer. Many of us in today's society do not believe in this; however, the Puritans really did believe that people could be vessels for the Devil. In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller repeatedly portrays that duplicity and deceit are a natural part of human lives. Why does he decide to do so anyways? The power of collective hysteria ultimately becomes insurmountable because it grows larger than the influence of the few rational voices in the community. 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. Abigail distracts the judges from any rational investigation in this act by playing into this hysteria. succeed. Reverend Parris' concerns about his reputation are immediately evident in Act 1. 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. Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. 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 mentioned in the overview, religion holds significant power over the people of Salem. Diehard fan of The Wire. Support me by becoming a Medium member: https://bit.ly/39Cybb8. 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. 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. Abigail is told by John to move on but instead, Abigail starts accusing the townspeople of witchcraft, including John Proctors wife Elizabeth. While I speak Gods law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering (pg. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? Miller accomplishes this through almost, if not every character in the story. John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Hale, Reverend Paris, and Abigail are the main characters. In her conversation with John, Abigail claims that he helped her realize all the lies she was told by two-faced people in Salem who only publicly adhere to the conventions of respectable society (pg. This lie essentially condemns both of them. He. Being a person, from Latin persona ("mask", per and soneo - "resound") means precisely "being a mask . This is especially true with the reputation and hysteria themes. 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. How to use hypocrisy in a sentence. The overall message is that when a person's actions are driven by desires to preserve favorable public opinion rather than do the morally right thing, there can be extremely dire consequences. 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. Revered Parris claims to be a godly minister, yet he is always clamoring for more: golden candlesticks, property rights, more money. She beg me make charm (Miller, pg. An example of hypocrisy is when Mary defends Elizabeth in court, but then gives her a poppet which lands Elizabeth in jail for owning a tool of witchcraft. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. In steadfastly refusing to confess, Rebecca Nurse holds onto a great deal of power. It caused many people, in Salem during this event to think fast, rash and jump to conclusions. He has sentenced people to death based on lies about their dealings in black magic, and he has accepted other false confessions from those who would rather lie than be executed. Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. He claims that they must not jump to conclusions based on superstition in their investigation of Bettys affliction. Ironically, he is the first to demand a confession from Tituba based on Abigail's dramatic but false testimony. The desire to preserve and gain power pervadesThe Crucible as the witch trials lead to dramatic changes in which characters hold the greatest control over the course of events. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? 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 her conversation with John, Abigail claims that he helped her realize all the lies she was told by two-faced people in Salem who only publicly adhere to the conventions of respectable society (pg. This is also the commandment that he has violated most explicitly, so youd think it would be the first one to spring to mind. Miller's portrayal of women in The Crucible is a much-discussed topic. 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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. 133). She also ran the local tavern. It is not just, (Miller 129). . How do outside forces contribute to the character's flaws and eventual downfall?". The play is about human weakness, hypocrisy, and vindictiveness. Hypocrisy In Salem And The Crucible Proctor knows that unlike most of the other people who have gotten hanged, his is not completely innocent. 119). 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. Proctor is infuriated. He is appalled by Elizabeths lack of emotion when he asks her to help the court get a confession out of her husband (pg. 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. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. Danforth is convinced that there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country! and anyone who doubts the decisions of the court is potentially involved. The only power they have left is in refusing to confess and preserving their integrity. 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. The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. This is ironic becausesearching for "the Devil's marks" as the potential cause of an ailment is inherently superstitious. Thus demonstrating how mob mentality can impact an individual and ultimately drive the action of the play. The fact that he forgets only this commandment shows that he is trying extremely hard to repress his guilt. 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. Choose a single character and discuss how this person embodies one of the themes. Create your account, 7 chapters | 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. Abigails low status and perceived innocence under normal circumstances allow her to claim even greater power in her current situation.
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