In the case of a play like The Crucible, themes are revealed mainly through the dialogue of the characters. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in The Crucible. Themes tell us what the purpose of the work is. Danforth also acts out of concern for his reputations here. No one considers that the accusers are lying, partially because theyre seen as innocent children and partially because many witches confess to avoid the death penalty. The petition he presents to Danforth is used as a weapon against the signers rather than a proof of the innocence of Elizabeth, Martha, and Rebecca. Tituba, the slave of Reverend Parris, is the first to admit to dancing with the devil. The court's attempts to preserve Puritan morality by arresting and executing accused witches ironically lead to the removal of the most virtuous people from society. He is weak and vulnerable after Abigail's theft of his life's savings, and hes even facing death threats from the townspeople as a result of John and Rebecca's imminent executions. Fear plays an immense role in the way people make their decisions, such as when the characters of Danforth and Mary Warren resort to hypocrisy when no other options remain. This makes him particularly averse to accepting that he's been fooled by a teenage girl. The Crucible's themes have lent the play artistic longevity because they're more or less universal to the human experience across time. She is clearly outspoken and dominant, but her initial position in society is one of very little influence and authority. Danforth insists that John must know more about the Devil's dealings than he has revealed. Lying- Explain why the girls are more willing to lie . Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. The second major theme in The Crucible (and one that teachers often ask about) is fear and hysteria. Rational explanations are ground up by the drama of the rumor mill, and people see only what they want to see (whatever keeps them in the good graces of society andmakes them feel the best about themselves) in situations that don't appear to have easy explanations. Tituba is pressured to confess and name the names of other witches to avoid execution, which leads to Abigail and Bettys accusations, now validated by a coerced confession. The turmoil in Salem is propelled forward by desires for revenge and power that have been simmering beneath the town's placid exterior. The idea that a witch's familiar spirit is capable of stabbing people is too scary for the superstitious and now hysterical people of Salem to give Elizabeth the benefit of the doubt. Rebecca Nurse is a pure soul, who always took care of other people's children. When the petition testifying to the good character of the accused women is presented, the reaction from Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris is to arrest the people who signed it rather than considering that this might indicate that the women are innocent. Ironically, though she is normally honest to a fault, in this situation Elizabeth decides to lie to preserve Johns reputation, not knowing he has already confessed. In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. Hereferences the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. 61). builds quickly as accusations of witchcraft proliferate throughout Salem. Abigails power skyrockets as the hysteria grows more severe. Many people confess when threatened with execution, and this only heightens the paranoid atmosphere. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. 133). Hypocrisy is not simply failing to practice those virtues that one preaches, or known as saying one thing but doing another. Arthur Miller pokes fun at this in his commentary in the play and explains his intentions to the audience. Take a look at this article for details on the history and thematic parallels behind this connection. The first is that she is looking to escape . He's already accepted her testimony as evidence, so he is happy for any excuse to believe her over John and Mary.John finally comes to the realization that Mary's truthful testimony cannot compete with the hysteria that has taken hold of the court. He believes there is a group of people in town determined to remove him from this position, and he will say and do whatever it takes to retain control. 73), meaning the girls are testing out the extent of the chaos they can create with their newfound power. No one will listen to Tituba until she agrees to confirm the version of events that the people in traditional positions of authority have already decided is true, a pattern which continues throughout the play. Diehard fan of The Wire. Support me by becoming a Medium member: https://bit.ly/39Cybb8. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. It can be hard for the deaf and hard of hearing to become engaged in theater. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Based on the background knowledge of the time, slaves were not considered part of the class system, so she was not valued as a community member. He claims that they must not jump to conclusions based on superstition in their investigation of Bettys affliction. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. In a way. In another section, Miller explains the teachings of the Puritans and how it related to the mess that the trials became: ''These people had no ritual for the washing away of sins. Parris begs Danforth to postpone their hangings because he fears for his life if the executions proceed as planned. To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. This is a lesson in how fear can twist perceptions of reality even for those who consider themselves reasonable under normal circumstances. Here are a few questions related to this theme that you can use to test your grasp of irony and its significance as a theme in The Crucible: Hale wrongly assumes that his academic mindset will save him from jumping to the wrong conclusions in the witchcraft investigation. Danforths image is extremely valuable to him, and he refuses to allow Parris concerns to disrupt his belief in the validity of his decisions. In this act, she yells Dont lie! at Tituba immediately before she tells some of the most damning lies of the play accusing Tituba of witchcraft (. He has sentenced people to death based on lies about their dealings in black magic, and he has accepted other false confessions from those who would rather lie than be executed. Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. 129)He is still convinced that all the prisoners are guilty and is determined to force them to admit their guilt. -Hypocrisy is the state of falsely claiming to possess virtuous characteristics that one lacks. By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. 50). The faces that people present to the public are designed to garner respect in the community, but the witch trials have thrown this system into disarray. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. When she cant get John to abandon Elizabeth for her, she decides to take matters into her own hands and gain control through manipulating the fears of others. Danforth continues to demonstrate the effects of hysteria in act 4 even after things have died down a bit in Salem and there have been rumblings of discontent about the courts actions. Here are a few discussion questions to consider after you've read my summary of how the theme of reputation motivates characters and plot developments in The Crucible: If you're an old beggar woman who sometimes takes shelter in this creepy shack, you better believe these jerks are gonna turn on you as soon as anyone says the word "witch.". No one even considers Mary's statement about sticking the needle in herself. Ask questions; get answers. These connections will bolster your responses by positioning them in relation to the most important concepts discussed throughout the play. The judges cannot force her to commit herself to a lie, and her martyrdom severely damages their legitimacy and favor amongst the townspeople. She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. Hale tries to combat his guilt by persuading the prisoners to confess, refusing to accept that the damage has already been done. When Hale asks him to recite his commandments, the only one he forgets is adultery. While I speak Gods law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering (pg. Fear plays an immense role in the way people make their decisions, such as when the characters of Danforth and Mary Warren . In the play there was a character by the name of John Proctor; Proctor was a family man that made a huge mistake. Interestingly, she was the first woman put to death in the trials. Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. Some will be very direct. Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. The Crucible is a play written by American author, Arthur Miller, in 1953. Even with prompts that ask you to discuss a specific character or plot point, you can find ways to connect your answer to major themes. Is hypocrisy a natural human flaw? What Are The Human Flaws In The Crucible 1560 Words | 7 Pages. Read on for an overview of what a theme is, a list of important themes in The Crucible with specific act-by-act details, and a summary of how to use this information in your essays and other assignments. What are their strengths and personal flaws? The power of mass hysteria is further revealed when Mary is unable to faint outside of a charged courtroom environment. Danforth explains his inability to free the accused people because, twelve are already hanged for the same crime. Logic has no power to combat paranoia and superstition even when the claims of the girls are clearly fraudulent. Miller carries the theme of hypocrisy through Parris by giving the reverend a very greedy nature. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. . This hysteria-based evidence of witchcraft includes the discovery of the poppet in the Proctor household with a needle in it. In the Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play that is based of 1962 Salem Massachusetts, the site of one of the worst witch-hunts in history. In this act, she yells Dont lie! at Tituba immediately before she tells some of the most damning lies of the play accusing Tituba of witchcraft (She comes to me while I sleep; shes always making me dream corruptions! pg. South Plantation High School, one of the only schools to offer a program for the deaf, cast tradition aside to create a rendition of The Crucible that is truly one of a kind. Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. The theme of guilt is one that is deeply relevant to John Proctor's character development throughout the play. The Crucible by Arthur Miller, is a play based upon events that occurred in Salem circa 1690s. This entry was posted in offline website builder software for windows 10 on June 30, 2022 by .offline website builder software for windows 10 on June 30, 2022 by . This is taken as evidence that things are really getting out of control ("if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing's left to stop the whole green world from burning." Now that you've read about the most important themes in The Crucible, check out ourlist of every single character in the play, including brief analyses of their relationships and motivations. 121). Hypocrisy is shown between the characters: Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and Hale. He insists,I am not empowered to trade your life for a lie (pg. As Reverend Hale says to Danforth, Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots cry will end his life - and you wonder yet if rebellions spoke? (Act 4, pg. While it does provide an entertaining experience at face value, the true literary genius behind the work is Miller's . His only goal is to get on the good side of the community as a whole, even in the midst of this bout of collective hysteria. 12) The first act of The Crucibleclearly establishes the fact that a bad reputation can damage a persons position in this society severely and irreparably. John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. Proctor's wife, Elizabeth, is accused of being a witch and Proctor has to make a moral decision . 22). The price he has to pay in reputation to save his own life is ultimately too high. John finally comes to the realization that Mary's truthful testimony cannot compete with the hysteria that has taken hold of the court. The irony is that, in the face of Johns rejection, Abigail turns around and creates her own lies soon after that give her increased control over the society she resents. 130). ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? The people who preside over the trials are corrupt. But these themes aren't always easy to explain or dissect in the context of the play, and they can be even harder to develop into essays. The play takes place in the city of Salem, a city filled with people that would do anything to keep their reputation clean. | Certified Educator Arthur Miller clearly wants the audience to empathize with John Proctor in The Crucible, and we know this based on the principles for which he stands. He. Elizabeth is defined by her relationship to John, and Mary is pushed around by other characters (mostly men) throughout the play. What are some of the factors that feed the panic and suspicion in Salem, and why are. People in power continue to believe the accusers out of fear for their own safety, taking the hysteria to a point where no one is above condemnation. Deception is a major driving force inThe Crucible. 129). As this hysteria begins to rise, other people such as Thomas Putnam, a rich landowner, start to also allege Salem villagers. Judge Danforth a well respected man in the society that has the supreme rule over the court. Through this statement he clearly demonstrates his belief that lying will send a person to Hell. How does Reverend Hale make Tituba feel important? How is Parris fate in act 4 ironic when considering his role in the events of the play? 41). Its easy for more respectable citizens to accept that shes in league with the Devil because she is an "other" in Salem, just like Tituba. Even Judge Danforth, supposedly a reliable source of justice and solidity, goes against what he knows to be true by forcing those arrested to either confess to crimes they did not commit or face the gallows, all to save his name and prevent it from looking like he had hanged innocent people. Though actions are often motivated by fear and desires for power and revenge, they are also propped up by underlying worries about how a loss of reputation will negatively affect characters' lives. In the book the Crucible there are many hypocrites some dishonest some just following any one to be guilty, but one of the many character is Judge Danforth he mocks Marry when he ask "How were you instructed in your life? Is reputation more important than truth? Reverend Parris' concerns about his reputation are immediately evident in Act 1. . Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. Thomas Putnam who has grudges against the people of Salem, and Abigail is a shameless liar who leads the accusations against the people of Salem. This causes problems down the line as Parris allows his paranoia about losing his position to translate into enthusiasm for the witch hunt. Danforth is the governor of Massachusetts who thinks of himself as a fair man. makes them feel the best about themselves. The prisoners have lost all faith in earthly authority figures and look towards the judgment of God. Elizabeth's side of the story is disregarded because Abigails testimony is far more dramatic. officials (like Danforth) unable or unwilling to listen to reason? Elizabeth doesnt realize that John is willing to sacrifice his reputation to save her life. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in The Crucible. Greed is a sin in the Puritan religion, so the people who supported the accusations were indeed hypocrites. John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. In Arthur Miller's stunning play, The Crucible, a primary character named John Proctor has an affair with a young woman named Abigail Williams. Parris is very quick to position himself on the side of the accusers as soon as Abigail throws the first punch, and he immediately threatens violence on Tituba if she doesn't confess (pg. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. Arthur Millers portrayal of a town in the midst of a downfall The Crucible, tells the story of how mob mentality and hysteria can significantly influence not only individuals but the whole town. What Is The Hypocrisy In The Crucible. Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. How does reputation influence who is first accused of witchcraft? Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. Theme 3: Reputation. Being a hypocrite is one of the worst things you can be called youre someone who criticizes others and yet does the same sin yourself. Will you confess yourself with him? (pg. Abigail distracts the judges from any rational investigation in this act by playing into this hysteria. Being in contact with someone else means mediating between ourselves and the other. Though their Bible would forbid murder, they condemn people to death with an excuse of witchcraft just to get land. An example would be something like: "How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? He refers to Johns refusal to confess as a calamity, looking past his own involvement in the larger calamity of the conviction that led John to this point. The each profess to want truth and to desire to punish actual wrongdoers. Hales involvement is taken to mean that there must be a supernatural element to Bettys illness. The main display of Abby's hypocrisy is her incessant accusations of the accused as being unholy, God-damned and doing the Devils work. The attitudes towards women in the 1950s, when the play was written, are evident in the roles they're given. There are several ironies in Act 1 that center around Abigail Williams. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. A constant theme through out the play is your personal reputation, maintaining a good name. 118). However, this runs up against Danforths desire to preserve his reputation as a strong judge. The overall message is that. Johns concern for his reputation is strong throughout the play, and his hesitation to reveal Abigails true nature is a product of his own fears of being labeled an adulterer. 123). "(3-84), since Danforth is in power for being the judge he thinks that everyone else is ignorant and not being equal as him. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. Abigail accuses Tituba first because Tituba is the one person below her on the ladder of power, so she makes an easy scapegoat. Abigails low status and perceived innocence under normal circumstances allow her to claim even greater power in her current situation. As Abigail begins to be accused she is pressured to deter from the truth. Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. As said in the documents I read, the theme is "the fundamental and often universal idea of a literary artwork". Why does Mary Warren warn John about testifying against Abigail? The town, already primed with rumors of black magic, is quickly willing to accept that the first few women who are accused are involved in black magic because theyre beggars and slaves.
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