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Characters and characterisation of the crucible
The Crucible Essay character analysis
The Crucible Essay character analysis
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Is the Devil Present in Salem? The evil of man is palpable and its essence can be felt in the interactions between one another; it reveals itself in ways such as greed or deceit. The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, expresses this concept in quite an interesting method. This play introduces the town of Salem around the time of the late 1690’s when religious tensions were extraordinarily high. The majority of the play follows a local farmer, John Proctor, in his quest to return justice to Salem when the people become frantic following rumors of witchcraft in the town. The witchcraft, believed to be the work of the devil, convinces people that the devil lives in the town. Although the devil himself is not literally residing in the town, perhaps …show more content…
he firmly planted himself in the spirit of the town. The town runs rampant with corruption and evil, and the devil is instilled within the people of Salem, pushing and tempting them to commit atrocities. These atrocities include Abigail’s attempt to frame Elizabeth for murder, Thomas Putnam’s plot convict his neighbors for their land, and the sinister motivations behind the convictions of the court. The first incident where the devil shows its wicked face occurs when Abigail tries to frame Elizabeth for murder.
John Proctor becomes furious during the arrest of Elizabeth on suspicions for seeking to kill Abigail, and he has this to say, “Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, or Abigail? Is the accuser always holy now? […] I’ll tell you what’s walking Salem – vengeance is walking Salem […] common vengeance writes the law!” (77). Proctor knows his wife’s innocence, and he knows Abigail’s reasons for framing Elizabeth; however, Proctor doesn’t quite feel that he can disclose information of his affair just yet, as it would tarnish his and his family’s name. Still, John fearlessly calls out the courts for what they truly are: instruments to carry out vengeance, which Abigail uses to her fullest extent. Abigail exposes her wickedness during her attempt to frame Elizabeth. This incident represents just one of many acts throughout the novel that display the devil’s greedy and deleterious ways, and there are many more acts brimming with the depravity of the …show more content…
devil. An additional incident which indicates a strong presence of the devil in Salem occurs when Giles Corey reveals that Thomas Putnam has been charging his neighbors to crimes in order to claim their land. Giles attempts to bring this to the attention of the courts: “My proof is there! […] If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property – that’s law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their land!” (96). The devil manifests itself in Thomas Putnam’s actions. It is pure greed to have a neighbor killed for his or her belongings. Also, the devil is again present in the court’s actions in response to Corey’s accusation. Instead of looking into it and taking the accusation seriously, they shift the blame from Putnam to Corey because Corey is not willing to put his friends under scrutiny of the court. As a result, Putnam faces no repercussions, and it may be hypothesized that Putnam could have bribed the court to turn a blind eye to his actions. Nevertheless, Putnam’s actions are representative of the misery and corruption in Salem inspired by the devil. However, this is not the only time the devil reveals itself through the actions of the citizens of Salem. The final situation where the devil’s diabolism seeps into and pours out of the hearts of each and every Salem resident occurs throughout the entire play and includes the courts and the men in those courts, such as Parris, Danforth, and Hathorne.
Reverend Hales, speaking to Danforth, tries to stand up for the fearful townspeople by stating this: “We cannot blink it more. There is a prodigious fear of this court in the country.” (98). Danforth later replies, “Reproach me not with the fear in the country; there is fear in the country because there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country!” (98). By asserting this, Danforth is effectively shifting the blame onto the people although Danforth knows the courts are feared with good reason. They’re feared because these courts are ruled with emotional, illogical thinking, and harsh repercussions are swiftly dealt out for those that disagree. This situation easily allows the devil to swoop in and instill evil and corruption in the hearts of those in power. Danforth and Hathorne are charging people largely in order to remain in power and to keep a firm grasp on the people of the town. They use the power of the court to frighten the people into being forced to trust and obey those in power, lest they wish to be punished. Also, Parris is using the courts for his own gain. He wants to convict the women for witchcraft in order to maintain his credibility and career in Salem. Altogether, the men of the court are using their power to
further manipulate the townspeople into obeying these men and keeping them in power, a vile act surely inspired by the devil. In conclusion(?)The devil is alive and well in Salem. He has permeated the minds of the people and has instilled evil into their hearts, causing Abigail’s framing of Elizabeth, Putnam’s corruption of the court to satisfy his greed and take from his neighbors, and the perversion of justice by those in power in order to keep their power. In conclusion(?)Though the devil did not literally commit these acts, he certainly inspired them. Every man has a base evil in them, such as greed or envy, that may influence his choices. The devil works through man. Not by forcing his hand, but by bringing man’s heinous depravity to the surface, and allowing him to fall victim to his hidden malevolence.
John Proctor and Reverend Hale are similar as they have both detected the corruption beneath the witchcraft accusations and attempt to prevent false testimonies and innocent people being hanged. John Proctor easily realizes the truth of the witchcraft trials because of his affair with Abigail Williams, one of the leading culprits of the hysteria in Salem. Abby exclaims that “Elizabeth hates me, uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave. It’s a bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman, and I will not work for such a woman” (Miller 12). Abigail feels this way, not because Elizabeth has mistreated her, but instead because Elizabeth is Proctor’s wife, a nuisance to Abigail and Proctor’s relationship. Additionally, after Elizabeth found out about the affair, she fired Abigail, thus ridding Abigail
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, is about mass hysteria of witches being in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. An educated man named Revered Hale arrived in the town with his exclusive knowledge of witches to help the town eliminate the presence of the Devil. He became a member of the court and aided in putting innocent people in jail or hung. As Hale started to see the consequences of his actions, he struggled with fixing his mistakes. The change in his perspective of the witch trials caused his overall personality and attitude to change as well. Hale’s dialogue, stage directions, and other people’s perceptions of him reveal a man motivated by good intentions; furthermore, his mission to help Salem destroyed evil in the beginning and his attempts
John Proctor a well-respected man in the city of Salem has a deep secret that plays a major role later on in the story. He had an intimate affair with a younger single girl named Abigail which he regrets greatly. Proctor shows his disgust when he argues with Abigail by insisting, “Abby I never give you hope to wait for me” (page168). Proctor exclaims that he surely regrets his sin and doesn’t want Abigail to think that he loves her and not his own wife. Although Proctor may still have feelings about Abigail he reassures her that he will never have emotional relationships with her ever again. He had the ultimate opportunity to get back at Abigail and stop the witch trials from happening when he meets Abigail alone in the woods; upon their encounter she confesses to John, “We were dancing in the woods last night and my uncle leaped in ...
The Crucible is a famous play written by Arthur Miller. This play centers around the witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts. In Act II, Abigail and her friends accuse several innocent people of witchcraft. Once they leave the court, Reverend Hale goes to John Proctor’s house to inform Elizabeth Proctor that people in the court have mentioned her name. Then officials of the court, Herrick and Cheever, arrive at the Proctor’s house. They claim to have a warrant for Elizabeth’s arrest because the court declares she practices witchcraft. After, Herrick and Cheever take Elizabeth to jail. Injustice in Act II prevails because of the inability to see the truth. Reverend Hale and John Proctor illuminate the theme that closed-mindedness
During the early years of the colonies, there was a mad witch hunt striking the heart of Salem. Anger, reputation, and even religion play an important part during the play of The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller. The author allows us to witness the vivid idea of the hysteria taking place in Salem, Massachusetts, and why it was so vulnerable during the time.
..., Proctor, I never warranted seeing such proof of hell, and I bid you obstruct me not, for I-.” Abigail’s revenge is a success and Elizabeth Proctor is arrested. Proctor is mad, he knows Abigail did this and now wants revenge on her. On page 63, he speaks of his anger over the court and wants the girls to be punished. “I’ll tell you what’s walking Salem – vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always wee in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law! This warrant’s vengeance! I’ll not give my wife to vengeance!” He highlights how he is so furious with Salem over what it has become. He states that it the children are now running the place – jangling the keys and writing the laws. He is mad at the Parish for letting the children’s games make them so gullible, leading to the arrest of his wife.
The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, is set in Salem, Massachusetts. The hysteria begins with suspicion that a group of teenage girls found dancing in the forest are guilty of witchcraft. The reverend of Salem then calls on Reverend Hale, who hails from Beverly, to come ascertain the truth. Threatened with severe punishment girls tell lies that Satan had possessed them and falsely accuse others of working with the Devil. One of the girls has an infatuation with John Proctor, a married man, and her determination to get rid of his innocent wife, Elizabeth fuels the hysteria. Reverend Hale is a unique character because he is both a catalyst and a preventer of this hysteria. His main character flaw, like many a people, is failure to defend his beliefs. In order to characterize Hale as a naïve outsider, Miller shows Hale as misled because he defends the justness of the court and later as guilt-ridden because he realizes the court is false.
The hanging of John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse cause corruption to come to an end. The limit had been reached and doubt soon spread throughout the community. When the community turns against the witch trials, Reverend becomes the chief advocate for the delaying of Rebecca Nurse’s, Martha Corey’s, and John Proctor’s death sentences. As she began to lose power, the supposed saint Abigail Williams and some of the other girls fled from Salem and Reverend Parris soon backtracked from his decision in instigating these trials. The property that Thomas Putnam wanted was left uncared for during the trials and no one wanted to purchase them. Reverend Parris was later voted out of office and was never seen from again. The same solitary power that they gained was the same solitary power that destroyed them in the end. Power now fell in the hands of the individuals of the Salem community; the imbalance of power no longer existed as corruption left
Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, is set in Salem village where an atmosphere of enmity and mistrust has been created through the conflicts and disagreements many villagers experience throughout the play. Many of these are caused by or, similar to the conflict between Parris and Proctor, are inflated by the many accusations of witchcraft occurring in the village.
The Crucible: Hysteria and Injustice Thesis Statement: The purpose is to educate and display to the reader the hysteria and injustice that can come from a group of people that thinks it's doing the "right" thing for society in relation to The Crucible by Arthur Miller. I. Introduction: The play is based on the real life witch hunts that occurred in the late 1600's in Salem, Massachusetts. It shows the people's fear of what they felt was the Devil's work and shows how a small group of powerful people wrongly accused and killed many people out of this fear and ignorance.
Arthur Miller’s dramatic play The Crucible, takes place during 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. The setting is important because it takes place during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. The play begins with the town’s girls, led by Abigail Williams, gathering in the forest and starting to dance around a fire, chanting. Reverend Parris catches them dancing, sending the girls into a panic and causing two of the girls to go into a coma-like state. The townspeople spread rumors that there are witches lurking throughout the the town that have put the girls under their spells. This causes Reverend Parris to send for Reverend Hale, an expert in witchcraft and the devil's work, who hopes to rid the town of all witchcraft. John Proctor, a local farmer, asks Abigail to stop accusing innocent people and start telling the truth about what happened in the forest. Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor's wife, excused Abigail from their house because she found out about an affair between Abigail and John. She lies to the court when she is asked about John’s affair to save him from any punishment. In doing so, they were both sent to jail for witchcraft because they knew she had lied. Abigail and the girls continued to lie about people in the town being witches, causing many innocent people to be killed, including John Proctor. Miller shows the dangers of scapegoating when lies that are regarded as the truth, and can kill innocent characters.
As the adolescents wail in their pretentious horror of a fictional bird, Proctor slowly realizes the conformation that Satan has entered Salem. Arthur Miller’s tragic allegory, The Crucible, shows the destruction of sinister Salem in 1692. The protagonist, John Proctor, a damnable farmer, has a lecherous affair with the antagonist, Abigail Williams, an ignorant and covetous juvenile. Satan mixes their interior motives to manufacture a catastrophic concoction. The ingredients of destruction consist of selfishness, immaturity, and corruption. The voracious desires of the natives of Salem lead to their evil and self-indulged intentions.
The Crucible is a 1953 play by Arthur Miller. Initially, it was known as The Chronicles of Sarah Good. The Crucible was set in the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts. It talks of McCarthyism that happened in the late 1600’s whereby the general public and people like Arthur Miller were tried and persecuted. The Crucible exemplifies persecutions during the Salem Witch Trials. The people were convicted and hung without any tangible proof of committing any crime. Persecutions were the order of the day. When a finger was pointed at any individual as a witch, the Deputy Governor Danforth never looked for evidence against them or evidence that incriminated them; he ordered them to be hanged. This can be seen through his words “Hang them high over the town! Who weeps for those, weeps for corruption!” (1273), the people were persecuted aimlessly. The four main characters in the play, John Proctor, Abigail Adams, Reverend Hale and Reverend Parris, are caught in the middle of the witchcraft panic in the religious Salem, Massachusetts in late 1690’s. Persecution is the most important theme in the Crucible, the leaders and citizens of Salem attacks and persecutes one of their own without any tangible evidence against them.
When we are first introduced to John Proctor, we learn of his affair with Abigail Williams, Abigail's involvement in the accusations of witchcraft, and of John's desire to do what is honorable. Because of John's desire to do what is honorable, he ends the affair with Abigail and begins to attempt to repair his broken marriage. Abigail's jealously of Elizabeth and desire to be John's wife leads to Elizabeth's name being mentioned in court. Abigail's mention of Elizabeth's name in court reveals her attempt to get rid of Elizabeth for she knows Elizabeth will claim innocence and be hung if she does. When word reaches the Proctors, about Abigail's mentioning of Elizabeth's name in court, John concludes that Abigail's motive is to kill Elizabeth. Knowing this information, John is faced with his first difficult decision, save his reputation, keep his affair a secret, and let the accusations continue, or ruin his reputation, tell of his affair, and end the girls' accusations. Not wanting to ruin his good name, John decides to hold his tongue and because of this the trials continue and more accusations are made, some of which lead to his wife's and his friends arrest for witchcraft and bewitchment.
Another important work Miller wrote, The Crucible, takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, during the 17th century. It is a time when jealousy and suspicion poisoned the thinking of an entire town. Neighbor turned against neighbor when events happened that could not be explained. Accusations turned into a mad hunt for witches who did not exist. One of the main characters of the play is John Proctor, a well-respected man with a good name in the town. As the play develops, John Proctor’s moral dilemma becomes evident: he must decide whether to lie and confess to witchcraft in order to save his life, or to die an honest man, true to his beliefs.