Post by esmemcgill on Dec 15, 2014 22:53:54 GMT
The Crucible
"The Crucible" written by Arthur Miller about the witch trials in a Salem community. Integrity is the honesty and truthfulness of one actions and is explored by Miller as the main theme throughout the play using main character John Proctor to do so. The writer uses characterisation, key scenes and climax effectively to explore integrity as a main theme of the play.
Set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, "The Crucible" is about the havoc a group of girls send a small Puritan community into. When caught dancing in the woods, one of the girls falls into a comatose state and the others blame it on witchcraft to avoid punishment. The whole idea of witchcraft in Salem escalates until innocent woman and men are being accused of consorting with the devil. Abigail Williams is the leader of the girls and accuses Elizabeth Proctor a well respected farmers wife as Abigail had previously had an affair with Elizabeth's husband, John, whilst working in their house. Integrity is a recurring theme throughout the play as both Elizabeth and John are good, hard working and honest people who are punished because of the bitterness of others.
In Act One, John Proctor is portrayed through characterisation as and honest and honourable man. The stage directions read: "Proctor, respected and even feared in Salem." This shows that Proctor was a trusted and highly regarded member of the community. "He was the kind of man- powerful of body, even tempered and not easily led." This quote also helps further Proctors character as a man of authenticity and leader, not to follow a crowd. By characterising Proctor as a honest family man Miller creates an aura of integrity around him.
Abigail Williams is a vengeful and spiteful girl who has a negative influence on Proctors integrity. "I saw you're face when she put me out and you loved me then and you do now." This quote strongly shows Abigail's motivation throughout the play is to separate John from his wife in hopes he will love her instead. Often she is seen as a wedge between John and Elizabeth and also John and his integrity. She tries to manipulate John into revealing he still has feelings for her and betray Elizabeth once again. Abigail proves to be a compelling force in the diminishing of Proctor's integrity as even when he is trying to move on from the affair and prove to his wife he is still an honest man Abigail refuses to let their affair go.
John's affair with Abigail may be only a dent in his integrity however it is a crucial one, once it is public knowledge his reputation will be tarnished. In Act 3, the turning point, John confesses to the affair to save his wife however when questioned Elizabeth defends him to protect him but ends up doing the opposite. Proctor begins losing his integrity and credibility here as he is being seen as a liar. By saying "I say - I say - God is dead!" Proctor allows the other characters to begin to question his love of God and his faith in him which leads them to believe he could be consorting with the devil. Cheever also brings it to the courts attention that he has seen John ploughing on Sunday's and although Proctor was only doing this to provide for his families, it does not bode well for him. All of these factors each take knocks off Proctors integrity as a character.
Act Four is the emotional climax of the play. In the beginning of Act Four Proctor decides to give up his integrity and lie and save his life. However, after being made to sign a written confession he is conflicted and an intense internal battle commences within him. He is torn between lying and living or being honest and dying. "You would not; if tongs of fire were singeing you you would not!" This shows that John feels by confessing he will be disappointing Elizabeth, the most honourable and honest woman he knows. He does not want to let her down as he knows she would never lie to God as he was considering doing.
Rebecca Nurse also plays an encouraging role in John's decision to remain honest till his death as she is also due to be hanged but shows no signs of confessing. "Oh John- God send his mercy on you!" Feelings of guilt consume John when Rebecca Nurse says this, if she is not going to lie and save herself why should he. John tears up his confession and dies a brave and honest man, once again revealing his characters sense of integrity.
To conclude, there were many reasons behind Proctor's decision to die an honest man than live a liar. Personally I believe his integrity was the main reason that led to his death as this was his final chance to gain a little bit of his respect and good character back. By dying an honest man, his sons could be reassured there dad was a good and honest man rather than a witch.
"The Crucible" written by Arthur Miller about the witch trials in a Salem community. Integrity is the honesty and truthfulness of one actions and is explored by Miller as the main theme throughout the play using main character John Proctor to do so. The writer uses characterisation, key scenes and climax effectively to explore integrity as a main theme of the play.
Set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, "The Crucible" is about the havoc a group of girls send a small Puritan community into. When caught dancing in the woods, one of the girls falls into a comatose state and the others blame it on witchcraft to avoid punishment. The whole idea of witchcraft in Salem escalates until innocent woman and men are being accused of consorting with the devil. Abigail Williams is the leader of the girls and accuses Elizabeth Proctor a well respected farmers wife as Abigail had previously had an affair with Elizabeth's husband, John, whilst working in their house. Integrity is a recurring theme throughout the play as both Elizabeth and John are good, hard working and honest people who are punished because of the bitterness of others.
In Act One, John Proctor is portrayed through characterisation as and honest and honourable man. The stage directions read: "Proctor, respected and even feared in Salem." This shows that Proctor was a trusted and highly regarded member of the community. "He was the kind of man- powerful of body, even tempered and not easily led." This quote also helps further Proctors character as a man of authenticity and leader, not to follow a crowd. By characterising Proctor as a honest family man Miller creates an aura of integrity around him.
Abigail Williams is a vengeful and spiteful girl who has a negative influence on Proctors integrity. "I saw you're face when she put me out and you loved me then and you do now." This quote strongly shows Abigail's motivation throughout the play is to separate John from his wife in hopes he will love her instead. Often she is seen as a wedge between John and Elizabeth and also John and his integrity. She tries to manipulate John into revealing he still has feelings for her and betray Elizabeth once again. Abigail proves to be a compelling force in the diminishing of Proctor's integrity as even when he is trying to move on from the affair and prove to his wife he is still an honest man Abigail refuses to let their affair go.
John's affair with Abigail may be only a dent in his integrity however it is a crucial one, once it is public knowledge his reputation will be tarnished. In Act 3, the turning point, John confesses to the affair to save his wife however when questioned Elizabeth defends him to protect him but ends up doing the opposite. Proctor begins losing his integrity and credibility here as he is being seen as a liar. By saying "I say - I say - God is dead!" Proctor allows the other characters to begin to question his love of God and his faith in him which leads them to believe he could be consorting with the devil. Cheever also brings it to the courts attention that he has seen John ploughing on Sunday's and although Proctor was only doing this to provide for his families, it does not bode well for him. All of these factors each take knocks off Proctors integrity as a character.
Act Four is the emotional climax of the play. In the beginning of Act Four Proctor decides to give up his integrity and lie and save his life. However, after being made to sign a written confession he is conflicted and an intense internal battle commences within him. He is torn between lying and living or being honest and dying. "You would not; if tongs of fire were singeing you you would not!" This shows that John feels by confessing he will be disappointing Elizabeth, the most honourable and honest woman he knows. He does not want to let her down as he knows she would never lie to God as he was considering doing.
Rebecca Nurse also plays an encouraging role in John's decision to remain honest till his death as she is also due to be hanged but shows no signs of confessing. "Oh John- God send his mercy on you!" Feelings of guilt consume John when Rebecca Nurse says this, if she is not going to lie and save herself why should he. John tears up his confession and dies a brave and honest man, once again revealing his characters sense of integrity.
To conclude, there were many reasons behind Proctor's decision to die an honest man than live a liar. Personally I believe his integrity was the main reason that led to his death as this was his final chance to gain a little bit of his respect and good character back. By dying an honest man, his sons could be reassured there dad was a good and honest man rather than a witch.