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Danforths image is extremely valuable to him, and he refuses to allow Parris concerns to disrupt his belief in the validity of his decisions. 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. When she is brought in for questioning and claims to see Marys familiar spirit, she says Envy is a deadly sin, Mary.Abigail herself has acted out of envy for the entire play. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. . Just like generosity, honesty and kindness are natural in people with those tendencies. Why does Mary Warren behave differently when she becomes involved in the trials? It is not just, (Miller 129). Where before she was just an orphaned teenager, now, in the midst of the trials, she becomes the main witness to the inner workings of a Satanic plot. Shes not a traditionally accepted target like the others (except in her susceptibility as a woman to the misogyny that runs rampant in the play). She is cast as a villain. And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." 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. And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." Reverend Hale, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. Human flaws such as lust for power, greed and jealousy explain the errors many tragic figures from books make, from Mr Kurtz to Lord Voldemort. Danforth also acts out of concern for his reputations here. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 Explain the irony of Hales position at the end of the play as compared to his actions at the beginning. These types of statements made by Hale earlier in the play become even more ironic in Act 4 when he realizes he made a horrible mistake by trusting the evidence that was presented to him. When Hale asks him to recite his commandments, the only one he forgets is adultery. This website helped me pass! At the end this act, John Proctor delivers a short monologue anticipating the imminent loss of the disguises of propriety worn by himself and other members of the Salem community. 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. 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. Why is Giles Cory expelled from court? "(3-84), since Danforth is in power for being the judge he thinks that everyone else is ignorant and not being equal as him. If you hope to write an awesome essay onThe Crucible, you should have extensive knowledge of its themes. In saying this he admits that a person can only avoid a hanging by confessing to witchcraft even if their statement contains no truth. Many villagers, especially Abigail . He questions Abigail aggressively because hes worried his enemies will learn the full story of what happened in the woods first and use it to discredit him. To illustrate, here are some examples of . She comes to me while I sleep; shes always making me dream corruptions! pg. 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. The second major theme in The Crucible (and one that teachers often ask about) is fear and hysteria. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller many people panicked from the witch hysteria which caused many to be accused of being witches, Judge Danforth decided what happens to the accused witches and is the most corrupted in Salem because his power of being a judge made him go overboard with his decisions on people. Is reputation more important than truth? These. 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. I will not have it said my name is soiled! Giles Cory was expelled from court because he would not list people who signed the document about Putnam wanting to take land. An example of hypocrisy is when Mary defends Elizabeth in court, but then gives her a poppet which lands Elizabeth in jail for owning a tool of witchcraft. Why is everyone so quick to believe Abigails story? Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie. I have not seen a single politician who isnt a hypocrite. "She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris's house tonight, and without word nor warnin' she falls to the floor. She says, "My name is good in the village! The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. 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. 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. Irony abounds throughout The Crucibleascharacters who believe they are combating the Devils handiwork actually perform it themselves. She openly threatens Danforth for even entertaining Mary and John's accusations of fraud against her. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. Is there any character besides John Proctor that represents the voice of common sense amidst the madness? Nowhere is there any consideration of ulterior motives. He believes that Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now. She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. Along with the final say in the putting to death of people during the Salem witch trials. references the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. The power of mass hysteria is further revealed when Mary is unable to faint outside of a charged courtroom environment. Hypocrisy relates to The Crucible in that both Reverend Parris and Mr. Putnam are incredibly hypocritical characters. Hale tries to combat his guilt by persuading the prisoners to confess, refusing to accept that the damage has already been done. She is clearly outspoken and dominant, but her initial position in society is one of very little influence and authority. While I speak Gods law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering (pg. Each new false confession is thrown onto the pile of evidence of a grand Satanic plot, and as the pile grows larger, the hysteria surrounding it is fed generously. Fear plays an immense role in the way people make their decisions, such as when the characters of Danforth and Mary Warren . This lie essentially condemns both of them. 119). Hales involvement is taken to mean that there must be a supernatural element to Bettys illness. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. An error occurred trying to load this video. 118). Sign language interpreters, though extremely helpful, do not allow deaf audience members to fully experience a show. 129)He is still convinced that all the prisoners are guilty and is determined to force them to admit their guilt. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in The Crucible. While touting his holy credentials, he claims that he dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of my conscience may doubt it (pg. Proctors good reputation is almost a burden for him at this point because he knows that he doesnt deserve it. Essay prompts will ask about these themes in a variety of different ways. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! All rights reserved. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play about the Salem witch trials. 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. One theory of the cause of the trials is that people used the trials as a way to gain land. It's one thing to understand the major themes in The Crucible, and it's another thing completely to write about them yourself. Danforth is the governor of Massachusetts who thinks of himself as a fair man. 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. He wrote the play as an allegory of McCarthyism, when the US government discriminated communists. In reality, true irony only happens when a situation is the exact opposite of what you would expect. Abigail, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle towards more power over her situation. 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. There are two examples of Ad hominem from The Crucible in Act 2 and Act 3. Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. Revenge in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Theme, Examples & Analysis, Allusion in the Crucible by Arthur Miller | Examples & Overview, Thomas Putnam in The Crucible | Character Traits, Quotes & Personality, Irony in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Overview & Examples, Abigail Williams in The Crucible | Quotes, Traits & Descriptions, The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Act 1 | Quotes, Overview & Analysis, Judge John Hathorne in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Analysis & Quotes, John Proctor in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Quotes, Analysis & Development, Reverend John Hale in the Crucible by Arthur Miller | Traits, Quotes & Analysis, Reverend Parris in The Crucible | Character Traits & Quotes, Hysteria in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Theme, Quotes & Examples, Fear in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Quotes, Examples & Analysis, Judge Danforth in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Character & Quotes, Giles Corey Character Analysis & Quotes | The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Ruth Putnam in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Character & Analysis, Symbols in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Examples & Analysis, NYSTCE English Language Arts (003): Practice and Study Guide, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Study Guide, English 103: Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, EPT: CSU English Language Arts Placement Exam, ILTS English Language Arts (207): Test Practice and Study Guide, Common Core ELA Grade 8 - Language: Standards, College English Composition: Help and Review, Create an account to start this course today. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller repeatedly portrays that duplicity and deceit are a natural part of human lives. Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. Every person has some kind of flaw; no one is completely perfect. In steadfastly refusing to confess, Rebecca Nurse holds onto a great deal of power. First off, what is irony? 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. The Salem villagers exhibit failings, including greed, vengeance, and fear, which eventually lead to the downfall of their town. MPP friends writing about life, love, and everything else in between together. Mary is a hypocrite, because she's supposed to be helping the church rid of conjurers of the devil but instead she is deceitful. Abigails presence is always rife with irony in The Crucible, as she constantly chastises others for sins she herself has committed. To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. Reverend Hale enters as a specialist from Boston who has seen the effects that witchcraft has had on others. The Crucible is a play written by American author, Arthur Miller, in 1953. How are characters behaviors affected by concern for their reputations? 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. She is a sensible, saintly old woman who chooses to martyr herself rather than lie and confess to witchcraft. Through this statement he clearly demonstrates his belief that lying will send a person to Hell. This lie essentially condemns both of them. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (pg. What is the difference between dissent and disloyalty? Answer (1 of 7): In that all states of mind occur due to the nature of the brain, yes, hypocrisy is natural in people with that tendency. 123). 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. Create your account, 7 chapters | 22). The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. Parris begs Danforth to postpone their hangings because he fears for his life if the executions proceed as planned. He chooses to die instead of providing a false confession because he doesnt think life will be worth living after he is so disgraced. Elizabeth notes that Mary's demeanor is now like that of the daughter of a prince (pg. Because, the people of Salem will find out about the affair, this would weaken his reputation. The book is about witchcraft or what the town thinks is witchcraft. The seeds are planted in Act 1, when Abigail is questioned about her activities in the woods and ends up accusing Tituba of witchcraft to avoid punishment. Both flaws led him to delay telling the truth about Abigail's fraudulent claims and their previous relationship, thus dooming himself and many others to death or imprisonment. If you can show that you understand the themes of a work of literature, you've clearly mastered the material on a deeper level. The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. Many people are under the impression that irony is just when something happens that you don't expect (or that you really hoped wouldn't happen). This quotation shows the overall theme that hypocrisy is bred from the fear and condemnation of a society. There are many characters in the Crucible who are guilty of taking innocent lives, but there are three major characters who, without a doubt, are the most at blame. I propose that each and every one of us is, or at some time has been, guilty of hyopcrisy. The narrator tells the audience that there is very little good to be said of him (Miller 1100), yet as a minister the people of the town look to him to be a pious religious leader. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in The Crucible. AbracaDENIAL! Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The two characters that could have ended the mass hysteria are Abigail Williams and Deputy Governor Danforth. 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. The play takes place in the city of Salem, a city filled with people that would do anything to keep their reputation clean. Salem is under attack from the hysteria that is encouraged by the same people who seek to keep imaginary supernatural demons at bay. Throughout "The Crucible", Abigail Williams commits the largest act of hypocrisy. The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Why do certain characters seem to be blind to the irony of their actions (Abigail, Danforth)? 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. John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. Hereferences the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. In reality, he is constantly judging himself, and this leads to outbursts of anger against others who remind him of what he did (he already feels guilty enough!). The play loosely follows the tale of Salem and how the trials came to pass. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (pg. Even before Abigail makes accusations, rumors of witchcraft have morphed into accepted truths in the minds of the more superstitious members of the community. How is Parris fate in act 4 ironic when considering his role in the events of the play? Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. This causes problems down the line as Parris allows his paranoia about losing his position to translate into enthusiasm for the witch hunt. Most Important Themes in The Crucible, Analyzed. Danforth also becomes frustrated with Proctor when he wont name names in his confession: Mr. Abigail William is hypocritical because she does not follow the rules of the Salem trials. They say not to use superstition when dealing with the Devil, who is in fact a superstition used to cover up the sinful dealings of the people. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? The main point that the story revolves around is that people would rather lie and blame someone else instead of confessing and accepting the punishment. Interestingly, she was the first woman put to death in the trials. 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. Many of the conflicts that occurred in the play were caused by Abigail Williams. John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. Here again, he is driving the point home that the villagers were greedy and seeking land, so they put some of the pillars of the community to death for their own gain. Ironically, he is the first to demand a confession from Tituba based on Abigail's dramatic but false testimony. This is especially true with the reputation and hysteria themes. The town slips further and further into chaos and paranoia until it reaches a point of total devastation. Danforth explains his inability to free the accused people because, twelve are already hanged for the same crime. Giles got arrested for contempt. The Crucible is commonly viewed as an allegorical representation of the communist "witch hunts" conducted in the 1950s. Many of us in today's society do not believe in this; however, the Puritans really did believe that people could be vessels for the Devil. One flaw that can always be found in society and the Crucible is hypocrisy. 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. Revered Parris claims to be a godly minister, yet he is always clamoring for more: golden candlesticks, property rights, more money. 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.