Kennedy, Miller and Reagan all assert that governments must use whatever measures necessary to protect and maintain their respective lifestyles. Miller, in his condemnation of witchcraft and its failure to allow due process in prosecuting alleged perpetrators of this occurrence, reveals the need for a democratic judicial process. JFK urges people to reevaluate their attitudes and promote peace from within. He argues that while it is necessary to have the required force should an enemy fail to respect the United States, ideally future generations will be able to work cohesively together and realize that they possess more commonalities than differences. Reagan stresses the importance of freedom. It is our freedom of speech that is worth …show more content…
fighting to preserve. He acknowledges that it is only through failure that progress is made and indirectly acknowledges that what makes America great is having industrious individuals who are not afraid to fail. Collectively Miller, JFK, and Reagan all support governmental tactics that are required to combat threats to national security. While the parallel between the presidential speeches and The Crucible is not obvious at first glance, it becomes apparent in examining them more thoroughly that they all support the democratic practices that make America great. It is the freedom of speech, the ability to possess opinions that do not coincide with the majority and the right to lead one’s life as seen fit that must be fought to preserve. The Crucible epitomizes ignorance.Throughout the crucible their is no government which takes a stand, it is a mob mentality. In America, we have the premier judicial system where everyone is entitled to a fair trial, rather than being “burnt at the stake. ” Individuals in the crucible blame one another on the accounts of witchcraft, for the sake of themselves. They do not solve these incidences through authority, but rather through harsh ultimatums. insert quote. On the contrary, JFK makes it evident that people need to look toward peace rather than global animosity, he says that are problems are “manmade” and can be solved by “changing our attitudes.” “The expenditure of billions of dollars every year on weapons… is essential to keeping the peace,”(JFK). JFKs remarks make it clear that governmental authority is not the only determinant in determining global security. JFK’s statement makes sense when he affirms that we need to spend billions of dollars on national security because without the threat of force, we will not have the respect of nations. JFK’s essential message is urging the youth to reevaluate their attitudes and their priorities. He challenges them to travel and join the peace score, seeing that men and women around the world are just like them. Through these endeavors tensions will be eliminated through exposure of similarities around the world. Contrary to the Crucible, Reagan bases his ideas on freedom.
In the Crucible people did not have freedom of thought or speech, they were confined. Individuals should enjoy the constitutional rights they are given. Regan states,” They’ll tell you its all that they learned in their struggles along the way, yes it is what they learned from failing.” People and governments make mistakes, Ragean has the advantage of hindsite to comment on how America has handled threats to its security during the twentieth century. America was heavy handed in many of the ways it handled threats to its security. The dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is considered inhumane and the huge number of civilian deaths is considered entirely avoidable. However, at the time the American government felt it was the best way to ensure the Japanese would surrender in World War 2. Placing Japanesse civilians in internment camps, is also considered drastic is retrospect, although at the time it was considered a justifiable way to handle a perceived threat to American security. Ragen may recognize the fact that freedom is vital for humans, yet he also fails to come to cognizant with the fact that he needs to take a stance limiting security threats and or crimes. In both cases by recognizing that American freedom is the most essential part of Democratic life, Reagan indirectly condones any drastic measures which are needed to perserve
this. Examining the way Miller, Ragen, and Kennedy went about individuals “saftey.” it is quite clear their perception of governmental roles in crime. In the crucible we see a mob mentality sueded with ultimatums, forcing people to confess weather they are guilty or not. JFK brings about a good point when he says how can we expect peace, if we do not spend the money on gear which stands behind us. Ragen then adds his opinion that crime is avoidable if we do not deny liberties in America. In America, if we want to minimilaze crime, we must not deny individuals basic liberties, we must fight to perserve them as Ragen informs. Our government needs to be a stable power that goes to whatever extent nessacay to ensure the saftey of its citizens. In addition, we can not force people to confess through ultimatums, but rather through investigation.
In the article, Miller discusses the rise of McCarthyism, and how it affected the American people and him personally. Being that Miller lived in the time of McCarthyism and was interviewed by the committee in charge of “Un-American Activities”, Miller is a very credible source on the effects of mass hysteria and paranoia. The article “Are You Now or Were You Ever” can be used as a source when discussing McCarthyism and its effects, and other studies of the era. This article is a valuable resource for studies of The Crucible and studies of Arthur Miller
Analysis of The Crucible by Arthur Miller ‘You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor.’ Assess the developments in John Proctor’s character that validate this statement. How does Miller create a sense of tension and suspense in the build up to this climatic moment in Act 4? In Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible he has used many dramatic devices in order to create tension and build up to the climaxes of the story.
The Crucible – Characters and Changes & nbsp; Change is good for the future. " We hear the catchy phrase everywhere. From company slogans to motivational speeches, our world seems to impose this idea that change is always a good thing. Assuming that the change is for the better, it is probably a true statement in most cases. The root of this idea seems to come from the notion that we are dissatisfied with the state that we are in, so, in order to create a more enjoyable environment, we adjust.
In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the madness of the Salem witch trials is explored in great detail. There are many theories as to why the witch trials came about, the most popular of which is the girls' suppressed childhoods. However, there were other factors as well, such as Abigail Williams' affair with John Proctor, the secret grudges that neighbors held against each other, and the physical and economic differences between the citizens of Salem Village.
Great events, whether they are beneficial or tragic ones, bring change in a person. These scenarios can give one an entirely new perspective on life, and turn around his way of thinking. Events such as the Salem Witch Trials show the people involved what they could not see before. In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Hale, and John Proctor gain valuable insight into themselves, as well as others.
The Crucible (1996) is based upon the witchcraft trials in Salem, Massachusetts in the early 1690s. The movie begins with a group of girls and one African woman, practicing a mystical ritual in a secluded forest clearing. Swept up in the moment, many of the girls begin dancing—a taboo in Puritan society—causing the scene to look even worse. The village’s minister stumbles upon the group, causing them to flee, except for the minister’s daughter who seems to be paralyzed. She later appears to be in an unbreakable coma, which causes the town to begin whispering of supernatural causes. A demonic specialist is called from a neighboring town, and is asked to fix the problem. We later learn about Abigail—the ringleader o f the group of girls—and
Authors often have underlying reasons for giving their stories certain themes or settings. Arthur Miller’s masterpiece, The Crucible, is a work of art inspired by actual events as a response to political and moral issues. Set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, The Crucible proves to have its roots in events of the 1950’s and 1960’s, such as the activities of the House Un-American Committee and the “Red Scare.” Though the play provides an accurate account of the Salem witch trials, its real achievement lies in the many important issues of Miller’s time that it dealswith.
My movie research essay is on The Crucible directed by Nicholas Hytner. The Crucible is about the Salem Witch trials that happened in Massachusetts. My argument is that the negative and often evil portrayal of women at the time period of Puritan New England was a main component in the Salem Witch Trials which The Crucible shows an example of. To put The Crucible in broader context, I read “Damned Women: Sinners and Witches in Puritan New England” by Elizabeth Reis and will use its main points to back up my thesis.
“It’s strange how I knew you, but I suppose you look as such a good soul should. We have all heard of your great charities in Beverly.” This quote, stated by Reverend Hale, referring to Rebecca Nurse explains how others in the town think very highly of her. Therefore, when Rebecca is accused of using witchcraft to murder Ann Putnam's babies during the Salem Witchcraft Trials, the townspeople suggest that it may be a hoax. I can relate to Rebecca Nurse because we are both greatly understanding, extremely skeptical, and very nurturing.
A wise human once stated, “People are quick to believe the bad things they hear about good people”(Unknown). Bound by the nature of humans, many are hasty to believe inaccurate accounts, no matter the circumstances, whether the accounts have evidence, or if they have any veracity to them. In Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible, the hysteric citizens of Salem, Massachusetts experience an outrageous witch hunt movement, accumulating a hefty death total of twenty citizens. The play begins with Reverend Parris, a relatively new Puritan minister in Salem, whose daughter, Betty Parris, is stuck in a coma-like state. Parris reveals that his niece Abigail, was seen dancing with Betty, and Tituba, Parris’ black slave from Barbados. Concerned about his reputation,
Miller was not interested in the assent of one man and his calculated and dramatic attacks on an idea, but rather the American people themselves. They began to revel in the fear, which was being used to rule their minds, making them abandon the virtues of loyalty and honesty. This key theme does not only apply to the narrow scope of McCarthyism, and is what makes The Crucible a prime example of well-written American drama.
Even though The Crucible is not historically correct, nor is it a perfect allegory for anti-Communism, or as a faithful account of the Salem trials, it still stands out as a powerful and timeless depiction of how intolerance, hysteria, power and authority is able to tear a community apart. The most important of these is the nature of power, authority and its costly, and overwhelming results. “But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or against it,” says Danforth conceitedly. With this antithesis, Miller sums up the attitude of the authorities towards the witch trials that if one goes against the judgement of the court they are essentially breaking their relationship with God. Like everyone else in Salem, Danforth draws a clear line to separate the world into black and white. The concurrent running of the “Crucible” image also captures the quintessence of the courtroom as Abigial stirs up trouble among the people that have good reputation and loving natures in society. In a theocratic government, everything and everyone belongs to either God or the Devil.
People dying for no reason resonates in a lot of ways. Even in real life if people die
“Well, all the plays that I was trying to write were plays that would grab an audience by the throat and not release them, rather than presenting an emotion which you could observe and walk away from.” by Arthur Miller. All great works provide a way to reach in and grab the audience through the reoccurring themes like, greed, jealousy, reputation and hypocrisy. Arthur Miller had one of those great works and it was called “The Crucible”. The play was based off of the witch trials that happened in Salem in the year of 1962. Some of the characters were actual characters involved in the witch trials. Arthur Miller wrote this play during the time of the “Red Scare”. Miller wrote The Crucible because he wanted to turn the The Salem Witch Trials into
The Crucible is an incredibly influential play no only in the fact that it displays many important themes, but it also portrays how a theocracy impacts societal actions. The Salem witch trials were the culmination of the problems with theocracy. The actions of society, not only are impacted by their personal thoughts, but also in religious undertones affect them. Act two in the play portrays not only all of these themes, but also some important events leading towards the witchcraft hysteria. Act two in the play portrays how theocracy ultimately leads to chaos.