Post by esmemcgill on Feb 25, 2015 0:13:51 GMT
The Crucible Essay
"The Crucible" is a tense and heart wrenching play written by Arthur Miller about witch trials in a small Puritan community. Set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, "The Crucible" details the chaos and carnage a group of teenage girls send the community spiralling into. Based on true historical events Miller creates an even more powerful play by consolidating the mayhem and heartbreak deceit and manipulation can cause. Throughout the play there is a recurring theme of integrity, characterised in main character John Proctor who finds himself amidst the heated drama after his wife, Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft by the jealous and spiteful Abigail Williams with whom Proctor had an affair prior to the beginning of the play. Miller ensures "The Crucible" is compelling through his use of dramatic techniques such as characterisation, plot and climax to effectively convey the theme of integrity and it's importance.
In Act One, John Proctor is portrayed through characterisation as an honest and honourable man. The stage directions introducing Proctor read:
"Proctor, respected and even feared in Salem."
"He was the kind of man- powerful of body, even tempered and not easily led."
Both of these quotes portray Proctor as a character who is respected and a leader, not one to follow a crowd. Miller contrasts Proctor's strong sense of integrity and morality with the other characters lack of it, for example selfish egotistical Parris. “Parris came, and for twenty a week he preach nothin’ but golden candlesticks until he had them…it hurt my prayer." This quote shows Proctor has strong morals and a firm belief in what is right and wrong. He is not afraid to voice his opinions. Because of Parris' greed, Proctor does not go to church which further emphasises his strong morals and sense of integrity, he would rather have a pure religious relationship at home rather than visit a church he feels has been over run by for Parris' self indulgence.
Abigail Williams is a vengeful and spiteful girl who has a negative influence on Proctors integrity, after there affair she refuses to let him forget it. This burdens Proctor as he loves Elizabeth and believes in the sanctity of marriage, he regrets what he did wishes to move on from it which Abigail makes impossible. "I saw you're face when she put me out,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. Abigail proves to be a compelling force in the diminishing of Proctor's integrity as even when he is rejecting her and trying to make things right with Elizabeth she refuses to accept it and goes out of her way so they can be together.
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. Act 3 serves as the turning point of the play. Proctor is faced with the dilemma of risking his integrity by admitting the affair in hopes it will save his wife or keeping quiet and remaining a respected man. Deciding he cannot let his wife die because for him, Proctor admits to his affair with Abigail.“I have known her, sir, I have known her.” This statement tarnishes John's reputation and allows the other people of the village to view him as a sinner, especially when Abigail denies. Elizabeth is brought in and asked whether Proctor did have an affair with Abigail and thinking she is protecting him, she lies for the first time in her life. Proctor is now seen as a liar and his credibility is ruined. In anger, Proctor shouts; "I say - I say - God is dead!" Which is another nail in his coffin, leading people to question his love of God and his faith. After Cheever alerts the court John has been seen ploughing on Sundays rather than attending church, Proctors fate is sealed. After confessing to his affair and sacrificing his integrity, everything escalates and Proctor soon finds himself a man of no integrity or respect and accused of consorting with the devil.
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. He does not want his name to be blackened further when people find out he has lied to save himself when so many others have remained honest and died because of it. "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. This shows he is still trying to make up for his affair and wants to become an honourable man again in her eyes. He does not want to lose the tiny shred of integrity and respect he has left.
Through his use of dramatic techniques such as climax, plot and characterisation Miller successfully conveys the theme of integrity throughout the novel. By contrasting honest and authentic Proctor with characters like egotistical Parris and vengeful Abigail, Miller really highlights Proctors selflessness. Miller also leaves a lasting impression on the reader by showing the heart wrenching consequences of deceit, jealously and manipulation. Because of the familiar and realistic emotions that drive the play, it is made even more disturbingly chilling.
"The Crucible" is a tense and heart wrenching play written by Arthur Miller about witch trials in a small Puritan community. Set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, "The Crucible" details the chaos and carnage a group of teenage girls send the community spiralling into. Based on true historical events Miller creates an even more powerful play by consolidating the mayhem and heartbreak deceit and manipulation can cause. Throughout the play there is a recurring theme of integrity, characterised in main character John Proctor who finds himself amidst the heated drama after his wife, Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft by the jealous and spiteful Abigail Williams with whom Proctor had an affair prior to the beginning of the play. Miller ensures "The Crucible" is compelling through his use of dramatic techniques such as characterisation, plot and climax to effectively convey the theme of integrity and it's importance.
In Act One, John Proctor is portrayed through characterisation as an honest and honourable man. The stage directions introducing Proctor read:
"Proctor, respected and even feared in Salem."
"He was the kind of man- powerful of body, even tempered and not easily led."
Both of these quotes portray Proctor as a character who is respected and a leader, not one to follow a crowd. Miller contrasts Proctor's strong sense of integrity and morality with the other characters lack of it, for example selfish egotistical Parris. “Parris came, and for twenty a week he preach nothin’ but golden candlesticks until he had them…it hurt my prayer." This quote shows Proctor has strong morals and a firm belief in what is right and wrong. He is not afraid to voice his opinions. Because of Parris' greed, Proctor does not go to church which further emphasises his strong morals and sense of integrity, he would rather have a pure religious relationship at home rather than visit a church he feels has been over run by for Parris' self indulgence.
Abigail Williams is a vengeful and spiteful girl who has a negative influence on Proctors integrity, after there affair she refuses to let him forget it. This burdens Proctor as he loves Elizabeth and believes in the sanctity of marriage, he regrets what he did wishes to move on from it which Abigail makes impossible. "I saw you're face when she put me out,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. Abigail proves to be a compelling force in the diminishing of Proctor's integrity as even when he is rejecting her and trying to make things right with Elizabeth she refuses to accept it and goes out of her way so they can be together.
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. Act 3 serves as the turning point of the play. Proctor is faced with the dilemma of risking his integrity by admitting the affair in hopes it will save his wife or keeping quiet and remaining a respected man. Deciding he cannot let his wife die because for him, Proctor admits to his affair with Abigail.“I have known her, sir, I have known her.” This statement tarnishes John's reputation and allows the other people of the village to view him as a sinner, especially when Abigail denies. Elizabeth is brought in and asked whether Proctor did have an affair with Abigail and thinking she is protecting him, she lies for the first time in her life. Proctor is now seen as a liar and his credibility is ruined. In anger, Proctor shouts; "I say - I say - God is dead!" Which is another nail in his coffin, leading people to question his love of God and his faith. After Cheever alerts the court John has been seen ploughing on Sundays rather than attending church, Proctors fate is sealed. After confessing to his affair and sacrificing his integrity, everything escalates and Proctor soon finds himself a man of no integrity or respect and accused of consorting with the devil.
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. He does not want his name to be blackened further when people find out he has lied to save himself when so many others have remained honest and died because of it. "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. This shows he is still trying to make up for his affair and wants to become an honourable man again in her eyes. He does not want to lose the tiny shred of integrity and respect he has left.
Through his use of dramatic techniques such as climax, plot and characterisation Miller successfully conveys the theme of integrity throughout the novel. By contrasting honest and authentic Proctor with characters like egotistical Parris and vengeful Abigail, Miller really highlights Proctors selflessness. Miller also leaves a lasting impression on the reader by showing the heart wrenching consequences of deceit, jealously and manipulation. Because of the familiar and realistic emotions that drive the play, it is made even more disturbingly chilling.