In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. Envy, Selfishness, and lust for money/power demonstrate the flaws of humanity through the actions of Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and Thomas Putnam. How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? This makes him particularly averse to accepting that he's been fooled by a teenage girl. 41). John Proctor surrenders his agency at the end of Act 3 in despair at the determination of the court to pursue the accusations of witchcraft and ignore all evidence of their falsehood. Though Rebecca Nurse's involvement has already been corroborated by other confessors, Danforth demands to hear it from John to confirm that John is fully committed to renouncing his supposed ties to Satan. These people are the only ones who refuse to throw out false accusations or lie about involvement in witchcraft, so they find themselves condemned (this is the fate of Rebecca Nurse). They're also revealed though events in the plot. The book is about witchcraft or what the town thinks is witchcraft. The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, is a story where many people had been accused of witchcraft and a lot of innocent victims faced a difficult decision. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, list of every single character in the play, details on the history and thematic parallels behind this connection. This is a lesson in how fear can twist perceptions of reality even for those who consider themselves reasonable under normal circumstances. Hypocrisy relates to The Crucible in that both Reverend Parris and Mr. Putnam are incredibly hypocritical characters. Danforth explains that witchcraft is an invisible crime and that only the victims are reliable. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? 50). To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. There are several ironies in Act 1 that center around Abigail Williams. As mentioned in the overview, religion holds significant power over the people of Salem. These hypocritical actions take away from the authority of the person or people committing them. The Crucible is not only a dramatization of . When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. Essay prompts will ask about these themes in a variety of different ways. He shows the hypocrisy of the Puritans by showing their belief system and how they have not acted in accordance with those beliefs. The human lust and want for power has been and is the base of each and every witch-hunt. The hypocrisy in this statement is almost funny. Explain who you believe is the central tragic character in the play. 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. 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. In the play there was a character by the name of John Proctor; Proctor was a family man that made a huge mistake. 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. It's atoxic strategy that causes panic to spread quickly and fear for ones life to take the place of rationality. Mary is a hypocrite, because she's supposed to be helping the church rid of conjurers of the devil but instead she is deceitful. 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. A theme is a central topic that is addressed by a work of literature. In each paragraph these traits will be further explained . Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. Proctor's wife, Elizabeth, is accused of being a witch and Proctor has to make a moral decision . Why wont Danforth hear his evidence? 118). Why does he decide to do so anyways? Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in. 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." Here are a few questions about hysteria to consider now that you've read a summary of how this theme was expressed throughout the plot of the play: Even though there is significant reason to believe Abigail is lying about Elizabeth's familiar spirit stabbing her, the frenzied investigators ignore testimony that challenges their chosen witchy narrative. 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. 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." In this play, the author illustrates the central idea that people should not allow jealousy to control their actions. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, we have Rebecca Nurse. Throughout "The Crucible", Abigail Williams commits the largest act of hypocrisy. Historical Context. Will you confess yourself with him? (pg. This is especially true with the reputation and hysteria themes. She attended church regularly and was the embodiment of how a Puritan woman should behave. This is irony of the same type that I discussed in the overview of this theme. Is hypocrisy a natural human flaw? 119). 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. It helped me pass my exam and the test questions are very similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com. 6). It's here that we see the hypocrisy of the situation. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? There is a culture of keeping up appearances already in place, which makes it natural for people to lie about witnessing their neighbors partaking in Satanic rituals when the opportunity arises (especially if it means insulating themselves from similar accusations and even achieving personal gain). Proctor, a score of people have already testified they saw [Rebecca Nurse] with the Devil (pg. The turmoil in Salem is propelled forward by desires for revenge and power that have been simmering beneath the town's placid exterior. The most substantial female character is Abigail, who is portrayed as a devious and highly sexualized young woman. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. In Arthur Miller's stunning play, The Crucible, a primary character named John Proctor has an affair with a young woman named Abigail Williams. Danforths image is extremely valuable to him, and he refuses to allow Parris concerns to disrupt his belief in the validity of his decisions. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. It is part of our carnal nature to hold others to a higher standard than our own. A real example of irony would be if two married guests got into a fight about going to your wedding that ended in their divorce. John Proctor sabotages his own reputation in Act 3 after realizing it's the only way he can discredit Abigail. 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. Hypocrisy is just one of many personality traits along many spectrums. We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. The other two main female characters, Elizabeth and Mary Warren, are somewhat bland. Hereferences the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. In Act 3, Abigails power in the courthouse is on display. These two institutions fuse together in The Crucible to actively encourage accusers and discourage rational explanations of events. Reverend Parris has fallen from his position of authority as a result of the outcomes of the trials. This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. Can a work of art bring about change in the world? This attitude comes from a man who has shown no remorse for condemning people to death throughout the play. Themes can be expressed in many different ways. 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. What Is The Hypocrisy In The Crucible. Why is Cory arrested? What Are The Human Flaws In The Crucible 1560 Words | 7 Pages. I have not seen a single politician who isnt a hypocrite. In reality, true irony only happens when a situation is the exact opposite of what you would expect. This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. As mentioned in the overview, religion holds significant power over the people of Salem. As John gives his confession, Danforth says to Rebecca Nurse Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. Hale also contends with his guilt in act 4 for his role in condemning the accused witches, who he now believes are innocent. 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. 129)He is still convinced that all the prisoners are guilty and is determined to force them to admit their guilt. The girls are essentially given permission by authority figures to continue their act because they are made to feel special and important for their participation. In The Crucible many examples of hypocrisy are shown. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play about the Salem witch trials. In Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, the events that occurred during the Salem witch trials are dramatized, and the truth of judgement and vengeance is examined in a web of lies amongst the townspeople. What is the difference between dissent and disloyalty? There are two examples of Ad hominem from The Crucible in Act 2 and Act 3. I feel like its a lifeline. This fact could destroy his credibility, so he is biased towards continuing to trust Abigail. 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. officials (like Danforth) unable or unwilling to listen to reason? Choose a single character and discuss how this person embodies one of the themes. This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. hypocrisy is a flaw in human character that can be avoided if chosen to be. Explore examples of hypocrisy in the play, including the hypocrisy in land disputes, sin, and the characters of Rebecca Nurse, Reverend Hale, and the children. John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Hale, Reverend Paris, and Abigail are the main characters. One path to higher standing and greater control would be in becoming John Proctors wife. Well, it's not. She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. The Crucible, a short play dedicated to these events in Salem shows us how hysteria was such a leading cause of why the Witch Trials had even occurred. This shows us how one person who starts. 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. It is used to draw away from a person's counterargument through addressing something unrelated. The hysterical atmosphere and the dramatic performances of some of the accusers cause people to believe they have seen genuine proof of witchcraft. This vicious cycle continues to claim the lives of more and more people as the play progresses. In Act 2, the value of reputation in Salem starts to butt heads with the power of hysteria and fear to sway peoples opinions (and vengeance to dictate their actions). 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. "She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris's house tonight, and without word nor warnin' she falls to the floor. | 2 Proctor changes from a normal citizen and sinner to a tragic hero with a high sense of morality. The power of mass hysteria is further revealed when Mary is unable to faint outside of a charged courtroom environment. 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. 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.". He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. 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. AbracaDENIAL! Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in The Crucible. In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. To illustrate this, he simultaneously shows the Puritan belief system while describing characters that do not obey that system, yet pretend to in their daily lives. 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. Abigail, the one character who breaks from this mold slightly, is portrayed extremely unsympathetically despite the fact that the power dynamic between her and John makes him far more culpable in their illicit relationship. Abigail Williams was the main accuser of withes in Salem, and in her accusations she gained power in the town. 133). The people in charge are so eager to hold onto their power that if anyone disagrees with them in the way the trials are conducted, it is taken as a personal affront and challenge to their authority. Lust and pride were John Proctors tragic flaws, lust is of course, one out of the seven sins. 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. 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. Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. One single example is ; Corporate and political greed and desire for power is the reason for most of the suffering as claimed by many. Throughout the play, Miller uses the Salem Witch trials as a catalyst for Proctor's crucial development. Miller explains this further: ''long-held hatreds of neighbors could now be openly expressed, and vengeance taken, despite the Bible's charitable injunctions.'' Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. A Comprehensive Guide. The play, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller demonstrates the implications of a society in complete chaos over an irrational fear of witchcraft in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. In a way. She openly threatens Danforth for even entertaining Mary and John's accusations of fraud against her. . I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Abigails power skyrockets as the hysteria grows more severe. The two characters that could have ended the mass hysteria are Abigail Williams and Deputy Governor Danforth. What motivates their attitudes and responses toward the witch trials? The Puritans believed that children were to be seen and not heard. 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. 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. 22). This immaculate proof that has led him to sign numerous death warrants is nothing but the fabrications of teenage girls and other townspeople seeking petty revenge. Hale doesnt realize that his own fears and suspicions are the real powers of the dark. Why does Mary Warren behave differently when she becomes involved in the trials? What makes Danforth so unwilling to consider that the girls could be pretending? Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. Salem is under attack from the hysteria that is encouraged by the same people who seek to keep imaginary supernatural demons at bay. If you hope to write an awesome essay onThe Crucible, you should have extensive knowledge of its themes. If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. Revered Parris claims to be a godly minister, yet he is always clamoring for more: golden candlesticks, property rights, more money. Reverend Hale, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! The Devil has returned putting children under his control is what many people believed in Salem village in 1962. The evidence used in the Salem Witch Trials further demonstrates the hypocrisy in the Puritan times. She also ran the local tavern. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. Always include specific details, including direct quotes, to support your argument about how the theme is expressed in the play. A 17-year-old girl named Abigail Williams had an affair with John Proctor, a wealthy, married man. 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. The cause of the hysteria was caused by Reverend Hale, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. 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. People who were accused of witchcraft are wrongfully indicted, and those transgressions must be justified. Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. As John gives his confession, Danforth says to Rebecca Nurse Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. John Proctor is the tragic hero because he is loving, loyal, authoritative, but his tragic flaw is his . The play is about human weakness, hypocrisy, and vindictiveness. This includes not only accusatory lies about the involvement of others in witchcraft but also the lies that people consistently tell about their own virtuousness and purity in such a repressive society. Danforth is the governor of Massachusetts who thinks of himself as a fair man. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Hypocrisy, actually, didn't have a bad meaning until hypocrisy met politics in the 4th century B.C. When Hale asks him to recite his commandments, the only one he forgets is adultery. Abigail, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle towards more power over her situation. 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. flashcard sets. Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her articles. If you argued that John Proctor was the central tragic character, you could say that his flaws were an excessive concern for his reputation and overconfidence in the power of reason to overcome hysteria.
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