Our sense of belonging can change according to our perceptions of the world around us. Belonging is a part of human nature,and it can be enriched or challenged by our ever-shifting contexts. Significant experiences in life can often limit an individuals sense of belonging. The choices you make to overcome experiences, that can include barriers can enrich ones sense of identity. Barriers may arise when the individual fails to connect with community. They may also be evident due to cultural differences. The Crucible written by Arthur Miller and Shaun Tan’s The Arrival utilise various techniques such as juxtaposition symbolism and metaphors that explore the notions of enriched or limited sense of belonging using characters or real historical contexts to convey the complex nature of belonging. Arthur Miller explores the choices that may improve or create boundaries for a person in a community or place. John Proctor is a conflicted individual in terms of his identity. He chose to break the boundaries of marriage by having an affair with Abigail. With this choice he no longer sees himself deserving of his honest reputation, “respected and even feared in Salem, has come to regard himself as a fraud”. He now regards himself as a hypocrite and he has limited his sense of belonging as he is left to judge himself as the community of Salem does not know of his infidelity and his wife reluctantly forgives him. Elizabeth’s metaphor “the magistrate sits in your heart” foregrounds for responders that Proctor must eventually forgive himself if he is to experience an enriched sense of self. Proctors hyperbolic retort: “Your justice would freeze beer;” reminds us that scarred human relationships can also negatively impact our sense of belonging.... ... middle of paper ... ...ndings are unfamiliar to him and profoundly limit his sense of self. the persons experience of settling into a new and unfamiliar world, effects his sense of identity and limits his ability to belong Proctor, Parris and Tans persona all struggle with finding a sense of belonging. Proctor; because of his past transgression has to grapple with his sense of self worth until he can ultimately feel like he belongs with Elizabeth. Parris; even though he’s leader of the church, his fear and paranoia limit his sense of belonging in Salem. Tans persona faces cultural isolation which cause him to develop a feeling of isolation, leading to a limited sense of belong. Both of the composers use techniques such as metaphors, juxtaposition and symbolism to highlight notions of limited or enriched sense of belongings by the use of characters to convey the nature of belonging.
In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, we are positioned to see belonging as paradoxical, in that the positive, human quality of belonging inevitably carries with it the negative and dangerous corollary of exclusion. By belonging, we are automatically excluding others and excluding ourselves from other groups. The Crucible achieves this complex presentation of belonging through a variety of interconnected techniques which will be explored in this essay. These techniques may be categorized into four main groups: conflict, characterisation, heightened language and juxtaposition; conflict being the foremost.
Proctor exemplifies an ordinary second class Puritan of Miller’s adaptation of the bloodthirsty town of Salem, Massachusetts. Miller fabricates the character of Proctor to appear wholesome and scrupulous, however, acts of sacrilege in the form of adultery tarnish the character’s reputation, thus bringing to light the scepticism of an exclusively Puritan society. Proctor embodies the qualities revered by the Puritans; diligence, integrity, and frugality. Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth Proctor, is an advocate of John’s morality, describing her husband as “a good and righteous man. He is never as drunk as some are, nor wastin’ his time at the shovelboard but always at his work” pg. 100. Miller skilfully constructs a well-rounded character epitomising the ideal Puritanical figure, however, man’s tendency to be fallible resulted in a fatal flaw in the character of John Proctor. This flaw, also being a sin, is his lust and infidelity. Miller demonstrates the influence of cultural relativism through Proctor’s incapacity to absolve his own sins, despite his wife’s forgiveness, “I do not judge you. The magistrate that lives in your heart judges you.” pg. 55. This ‘magistrate’ is denoted by Miller to symbolise Proctor’s conscious, which was moulded and cultivated by the Puritans of Salem. The
Although Aristotle's tragic hero would be a character in a high social or political standing, Arthur Miller portrays John Proctor as a common farmer that is honest and living a respectable life in a Puritan town with a wife and three children. However, as the play opens, the audience discovers that Proctor has a significant secret, which was his affair with a young girl named Abigail Williams. Abigail doesn't want to believe that it is over between her and John and tries to kill Elizabeth Proctor by engaging in witchcraft with a few other girls in the town. As the town uncovers the antics of the girls and are outraged, the girls start to cry out names of others they have supposedly seen with the Devil in order to save themselves. Therefore, the audience perceives that the affair between John and Abigail is the instigator of all the hysteria surrounding the witch trials, signifying the consequences of a small human error.
In today’s world, we live in a society where we are subjected to follow rules, which are placed upon us by the society. Many people are faced with the dilemma of whether or not to follow the ideals of other people, or pursue their ideals and go against the prevailing conventions. In “Selections from Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer, the author talks about a man named McCandless who went into the Alaskan wilderness in order to find his true self. His journey was also to escape from the societal norms of society. A person who goes into the wilderness believes that they can live their life with brute simplicity. This gives them little to no time with the complicated problems of modern society. Likewise, in “Waiting for a Jew” by Jonathan Boyarin, the author talks about one’s aspiration to find their identity and purpose in the community. He conveys that religious places, like shul, allow an individual to develop a cross- cultural self. The desires and expectations placed upon us by the society shape our strategies of personal identity; therefore, instilling fears that cause us to identify in opposition to our prevailing conventions.
The presence of several themes aids the author in connecting to the readers. This play’s purpose is to critique McCarthyism yet, the overall setting of the play takes place during the Salem Witch Trials.Why would Miller use the Salem Witch Trials as the setting of his play? Miller uses the historical event to portray his opinion on the political attitude at that time and to indirectly demonstrate his criticism. Furthermore, the role of the Puritan church in the play is to dig up hidden sin in the society by forcing the members to either confess or be hung. This caused John Proctor to dissent from the community and voice his beliefs rather than conform ultimately leading to his death. Not only do the brave actions of this tragic hero demonstrate the conflict between the Puritan society and the individual, he also bring about the theme of pressure towards conformity. Miller develops this further by including an intriguing plot in the play. The constant accusations that Abigail makes towards other characters in the play, further shows how during the period of McCarthyism the accusations without evidence also occurred in the United States. As more accusations happen in the play and unexpected actions begin to happen, the reader becomes intrigued and therefore, Miller fulfills his purpose by creating a captivating plot. Miller utilizes powerful quotes
The theme I have chosen for this personal response is Identity. This relates to people in society today as a lot of them don’t know their identity or are unsure of it, being sexually or culturally. Identity is shown in the novel by Simon’s sexual identity and his “coming out” stage. “Do you ever feel locked into yourself? I’m not sure if I’m making sense here. I guess what I mean is
Both texts evidently proves that an individuals personal experience can both enhance and diminish their sense of belonging.
... integrity are among the most important things. He also uses Proctor to demonstrate what an unjust system can do to an individual with good intents. The play is a parallel to the anti-Communist McCarthy era. Through John Proctor we see the ludicrous nature of mass hysteria that exists when society has gone awry.
The attitudes of others forcibly constrict and diminish the subconscious of others ultimately limiting their ability to make choices and clouding their sense of belonging. There is only a matter of time before one's choices are influenced by their surroundings and the relationships that exist there. Psychological barriers created by experience dictate one's attitude ultimately limiting their perception of the world. The attitudes of others can thrust unwanted experiences on one, ultimately altering and damaging their capability to make choices in relation to where they situate their sense of self. Jane Harrison’s Rainbows End, a play about how the ignorance of Anglo-Saxon society in Australia inhibits and challenges an Aboriginal family to find where they belong in society and Edgar Allen Poe’s Alone, a poem that addresses differences in how one views the world and how they make sense of where they belong in it. Both of these texts utilize various techniques that allow us to see how the attitudes of others reduce one’s sense of belonging.
Belonging is a fluid concept that adapts and shifts within a person’s lifetime. It is subjective and can encourage feelings of security, happiness and acceptance or conversely alienation and dislocation. One's perception of belonging, and therefore identity, is significantly influenced by place and relationships established within one's environment. This is evident in Steven Herrick's free verse novel “The Simple Gift” and the short story “The River that wasn’t ours” by Ashley Reynolds.
In the play, Puritanism and their beliefs and values ruled Salem. Puritanism are a close community that follow a strict set of rules; there is little freedom for individuals. Individuals who are independent or do not conform to their values are immediately seen as threats to the community. The character of John Proctor is an example of a non-conformist as he believes in justice. Proctor’s sarcastic remark against Reverend Parris: “I like not the smell of this ‘authority,’” highlights his disagreement with Parris’s power and values. The sensory imagery emphasises Proctor’s non-conformist attitude and shows his deviance towards Parris, who is considered the highest power in society as he is the man closest to God. Proctor’s blasphemous exclaim: “I say God is dead!,” is a subversion of the Puritan society and theocratic values. The high modality emphasises his rebellion against Puritanism and emphasises his nonconforming nature. His refusal to conform to the Puritan values ultimately ends in his demise. The ripping of his confession and death symbolises his refusal to conform and his integrity; he does not want to be used to justify the witch hunt and the injustices the court has done. He does not want the other people to be seen as guilty for their crimes, when they weren’t; he does not want to be seen by others as a symbol of falseness
Miller uses John Proctor’s prideful nature to explain how it can ruin even a morally upright man’s life, as Proctor is portrayed as a good man throughout the play. Hale’s visit to the Proctors
How does this text either help you to explore and understand the possibilities of belonging or exclude you from connecting with the world it represents?
And so there goes a silly little man, bent by pride, forth to the gallows and whatever fate may await him beyond. Indeed, what legacy did John Proctor leave to his wife, left homeless, without a husband? What legacy did John Proctor leave his children, abandoned by their father in a fit of selfish vanity? What message was left for his children who would forever live in the knowledge that their father cared more for his good name than for his own sons and their welfare? What memory would he leave to the world which could not save him, what legacy to the world? There goes the silly little man, bent by pride, striding away from the family that needs him, towards his fate.
Social interactions are an essential part of all relationships; they are the determining factor of one’s perceptions of the world around them as well as their own identity. This idea is presented in uniquely an array of texts including, William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Shaun Tan’s The Lost Thing and The Blind Side produced by John Lee Hancock. Society and its expectations can make a significant impact on one’s ability to fit in to an environment. Some individuals’ however challenge society and break down social barriers in order to improve or limit an individual’s aptitude to assimilate. Being affiliated with a particular individuals or groups can leave a person feeling accepted as they can gain a new sense of perspective of the world. People’s connections with society and others can enhance or constrict their views on belonging.