The Crucible Essay Example

The Crucible Essay The Crucible The Crucible is a tale of what happens when paranoia, apprehension, and terror are introduce into the small town of Salem. Our group liked how the title relates to the book. We found it quite clever because a crucible is a small metal container which can withstand heat so that it may melt metals in it and purify them. As a group we felt a crucible was like the church because it purifies people. The novel is written in a play format, which as a group we felt made the novel ore confusing. The authors style was hard to follow, for example: too many characters were introduced at the same time. The characters had no build to them, with the exception of Proctor. The character Proctor was developed well and was easier to understand his point of view, unlike the other characters in the novel. The author had a very bland tone. It made the novel have a dragging feeling to it. The author did not spice up the novel. The group felt that the novel had no climax o it, which was quite disappointing. When reading the description the expectations for the novel were very high seeing as we expected crazy witch craft, mystery, vengeance, paranoia, terror, death, and despair. The group was unsatisfied with the book. Due to high expectations the book appeared to be very boring and had a plain tone to it. Having no hook to it and no climax the novel was not worth the read although it was a short novel. The Crucible would not be a book recommended to others. We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The Crucible Essay Example The Crucible Paper During this scene, there are instances where one or two words can have a dramatic effect on someones state of mind. For example, when Hale asks John to recite the Ten Commandments, he remembers all of them, except Do Not Commit Adultery. Because this is the commandment he has broken, he suffers a mental block and, flailing for it ends up repeating one of the other commandments. However, when Elizabeth assists him by delicately whispering Adultery John, he is momentarily devastated. He attempts to laugh it off, but the audience may suspect from Hales penetrating gaze that he has seen through John and guesses that he has committed adultery. The other major scene in which Johns emotions are at breaking point is when Cheever and Herrick come on business of the court, to take Elizabeth away to jail. At the start of the scene, Hale expressly stated that he had not come on business of the court, but with the arrival of Cheever and Herrick, everything changes, and suddenly Hale is as powerless as John to determine Elizabeths fate. We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Miller ahs portrayed John as having tried the reasoned, co-operative approach and, this having failed, Johns desperate resort to open defiance to his understandable response to the sudden heightening of the stakes. However, some of the pauses in the scene also play on the emotions of the characters. When Cheever discovers a needle in the poppet that is in the Proctor household, he becomes wide-eyed. He then explains what had happened to Abigail earlier that day, John, infuriated, immediately turns to Hale asking if youre takin this for proof. Hales silence, struck by the proof, confirms that Elizabeth is now in his view guilty. Another example of how pauses mean something is just after Hale has asked John to recite his commandments, John either deliberately or accidentally forgets the commandment about adultery. The ambiguous smile, full of misgivings, with which Hale reacts to this slip, heightens the tension in the conversation, and reminds the audience that John and Elizabeth are in real trouble. The language of the characters is also characterised by a steady build-up of tension. On some occasions, the words used by a character are said just out of anger, whereas on other occasions, the characters give considered replies. A good example of a shrewd talker is Giles, as his arguments in favour of releasing his wife and the other accused women are fairly persuasive and clever. At one point, Giles tries to make Cheever feel bad about what he is doing: an honest tailor might have gone to Heaven must burn in Hell. This language causes the audience to feel real pity for Giles and commiserate with him. The timing and pace in this scene are mostly fast but sometimes quite slow. During the conversation between John, Elizabeth and Hale, the pace of the conversation is quite slow, as John and Elizabeth answer Hales questions and try to remain calm, whereas in the conversation between Cheever, Hale, Herrick and John, the pace is much faster. This is mainly because they are interrupting each other and disagreeing with various statements said, the conversation quickly becoming very heated. This makes for good drama, as the audience will want to see what happens next between these characters and how far John will go as the tension escalates. The two outstanding examples of the use of timing in this scene are Hales entrance, when suddenly as though by air, a figure appears by the doorway. The audience will inevitably wonder he has been standing there, as will John and Elizabeth. The other is the sudden arrival of Cheever to arrest Elizabeth: Enter Ezekiel Cheever. A shocked silence. The timing of Cheevers entrance is a turning point as up to this point, all disputes have been discussed in a civil way. But, at the same time, a lot of tension and anxiety must be going through Proctors head, so when Cheever and Herrick enter the conversation, it begins to get heated, as Proctor begins to lose his nerve, shout and get very angry with anything said about Elizabeth. There are a few moments of significant impact in this scene. Firstly, Hale has been told about why all the people have confessed to witchcraft, and this proves a quite major turning point as, Hale now begins to understand the peoples point of view. The reader would see that deep down, Hale knows that these people are most probably innocent: It is his own suspicion, but, he doesnt want to go against the court, so he has to put up an argument. Later, John makes Hale realise what is happening when he inquires about why Abigail is considered to be innocent: Is the accuser always holy now? The significance of this scene to the play as a whole is, that within this scene, people like Giles and Francis now want to go to Salem, to try to get the charges against their wives dropped. However, John Proctor at the beginning of the scene was very hesitant about going to Salem, but, now he willing to go to almost any lengths to free his wife. As a result, the details of his adultery get out. The Crucible Essay Example The Crucible Essay The Crucible is a exhilarating play, which is based on the true events that happened in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 when a group of teenage girls started to mess with witchcraft and faked being caught by the devil; the girls created a horrific witch hysteria. It shows how the courts where run unfairly in the 17th centaury, and it shows how the court has such a big affect on the villages society. Arthur Miller has written the play in an effectual way and uses factual events to show the audience what really happened and how Salem and McCarthyism are parallel. Act 3 pages 86-96 is set in the courtroom, where the characters, Mary Warren, Parris, John Proctor, Danforth, Abigail, Mercy, Hathorne, Suzanna, Herrick, Cheever, and Hale are present. These characters are all present in the courtroom because they are all part of the village society affected by the lies caused by Abigail and her followers. The page starts with Danforth asking Mary to faint to prove that she can faint whenever she wants, to prove that Abigail and her followers can also pretend to see spirits. Mary is torn whether to tell the truth about Abigail lying about seeing the spirits, with this she may be facing a death sentence and she would go through the torment of Abigail getting revenge on her, or to go along with Abigail and not face a death sentence and be free from torment from Abigail. On Page 86 when Mary says:Faint? I would direct Mary to say this in a very breathless timid voice, this is because Mary is afraid to say anything to the judge and is scared of Abigail, who is near her, this will make her feel uneasy, if she says it in a timid breathless voice it shows how Mary is feeling and shows her situation very clearly. We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer On the line Aye, faint. Prove to us how you pretended in the court so many times I would direct Parris to do a little smirk when he says aye and to walk over to Mary when he says from prove and when he says pretended he should say it in a lower tone and raise his eyebrow. This conveys to the audience that he wants Mary to show that she was lying, knowing that she cannot, he wants this because he wants to prove a point to the judge that Proctor is no good and that Mary is lying. Once Parris has said his line, I would direct Mary to look sheepishly at Proctor and say the line stutteringly I cannot faint now, sir. At this point I would direct Marys eyes to start to water softly while looking at Proctor. Then I would direct Proctor to look at Marys eyes and look like he feels guilty for what he I forcing her to do for a few seconds and then he should straighten his back and say: can you not pretend it? I would direct him to say this in a subtle way so the other characters dont hear it and the other characters on stage should act like they havent heard what Proctor and Mary are talking about; this conveys to the audience that Proctor and Mary are being secretive and will do anything to get justice for the people that have been accused. When Proctor says the word pretend to Mary, I would direct Proctor to say that in a pretentious way, this conveys to the audience that he desperately wants Mary to faint. After Mary has told the court about why she cannot faint, Danforth then questions her about it by saying: Why, what is it lacking now? Before he says this he should lean over his desk intrigued by what Mary has just told him. This shows to the audience that he is intrigued by what Mary has just said. On the line Your Excellency, this is a trick to blind the court! I would direct Parris to say this walking towards Danforth and pointing his finger at Mary and should say this in an aggressive but desperate tone. This conveys to the audience that Parris is trying to show to the court that he is right and that Mary is lying. On the line when Abigail says :Why, this- this is a base question, sir I would direct Abigail to act innocently for the start of the sentence and should stutter during the sentence; but should really emphasis the word base because she is trying to act innocent but her dark side shows while saying this. On the line: I have been hurt, Mr Danforth; I have seen my blood runnin out! I have been near to murdered every day because I have done my duty pointing out the devils people I would direct Abigail to look innocent and clutch her stomach where her wounds would have been and tilt her head down slightly, and then she shall say the end of the passage: and this is my reward! To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a- When Abigail says this she should look up and look Danforth directly in the eye and walk over to him and place her hands on his desk firmly, this conveys to the audience that Abigail is trying to act innocent but cant hold back her true evilness. When Abigail says: let you beware, Mr Danforth. Think you be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it! There is - I would direct her to say this in an accusatory attitude, and say the words in italic with a deeper tone directly aimed at Danforth. Once she has said this I would direct her to have a frightened look on her face and for her to look up into the air, with her hands starting to shake. This conveys to the audience that Abigail is manipulating Danforth and is truly frightened by something; she is doing this to stop Danforth accusing her of lying. When Mary says: Abby! , I would direct Mary to say this in a pleading and terrified force, and I would direct her to lean forward and back a little once saying it, so it looks like she wants to reach out and grab Abigail. This conveys to the audience that Mary is petrified of Abigail and she knows what Abigail is doing. After this, Mercy steps forward out of the crowd of girls on stage and starts chattering her teeth and puts her arms out to show her shaking hands and looks at Danforth and Yells : Your Honour, I freeze! in a distinctive shivering voice. This conveys to the audience that Mercy wants the judges to believe Abigail, and shows that Mercy has understood Abigails hint to start seeing the devil. When Mary says her next line, I would direct Mary to do the line: Lord, save me! in a crying out loud motion, and I would direct her to fall to the floor by her knees starting to bend, and I would direct proctor to grab her underarms and lift her back up. This conveys to the audience that Mary doesnt have anything to do with what Abigail is doing, and she feels like she has no hope left in her, and that only the lord can save her. Danforth then looks directly at Mary and says: Mary Warren, do you with her? I say to you, do you send your spirit out? I would direct Danforth to look at Abigail before he says the line and then to look directly at Mary, this shows to the audience that he had noticed what is going on and is being biased about what he is saying. When Danforth is saying his lines I would direct him to say Mary Warren in a gruff tone, and once he has said her name he looks back at Abigail and then sharply turns his head back to Mary and gives pointy eyes (commonly known as e vils) to Mary. The he also says the line in a direct accusation tone. This shows the audience that Danforth believes Mary and he is frightening her. Once Abigail has said her line : oh, heavenly father, take away this shadow I would direct Proctor to leap forward, letting go of Mary, and grabs Abigail by the hair, and falls upon Danforths desk and then pulls himself up, still gripping her hair, and pulls her to her feet viciously, while Abigail screams in pain, and turns Abigail to face him (all of this would be a side view of the two inn front of the audience, so the audience can see what proctor is doing to Abigail) and he lets go of her hair, but with one hand still holding it tightly, and the other hand grabbing the bottom of her chin and he lifts her chin up and yells : How do you call heaven, Whore! Whore! This expresses to the audience that Proctor has lost his temper with Abigail, and is taking out his aggression on what she has done on her and is willing to lose his good mans reputation for it, to prove to the court that Abigail is capable of anything. Once Proctor and Abigail have been separated, Proctor should say his next line: It is a whore in a breathless and agonising way, and he should bend down and place his hands on his knees. This shows that he put all his effort into attacking Abigail and is now tired out. On the line: John, you cannot say such a - I would direct Francis to look horrified about what Proctor has just said about Abigail, and makes big hand gestures while saying it to show his emotion in what he is saying. This suggests to the audience that he doesnt want Proctor to say that Abigail is a whore, and it shows that he doesnt believe what Proctor has just said and that he doesnt believe that a child could be capable of it. I would direct proctor to look up, with his head held high, gripping his fists and trying to keep back the tears and says : in the proper place, where my beasts are bedded. On the last night of my joy, some eight months past. She used to serve me in my house, sir. (He has to clamp his jaw to stop him from weeping) A man may think that God sleeps, but God sees everything, I know it now, I beg you, sir, I beg you see her what she is. My wife, my dear good wife, took this girl soon after, sir, and put her put on the highroad. And being what she is, a lump of vanity, sir (he is being overcome. ) Excellency, forgive me. (Angrily against himself, he turns away from the Governor for a moment. Then as though to cry is his only means of speech left) she thinks to dance with me on my wifes grave! And well she might, for I thought of her softly. God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whores vengeance, and you must see it; I set myself entirely in your hands. I know you must see it now. Where the words are in italics, this is when I would direct proctor to nearly break down in tears, and show his true emotion; and the words that are in bold I would direct him to say these words distinctively. This communicates with the audience that Proctor is deeply ashamed of himself and is desperately trying to get through to the judge about what Abigail is like. After Proctors heart wrenching speech, I would direct Danforth to look at Abigail disappointingly, and then Abigail would say her line turning back to Danforth and stepping towards him saying in a sharp tone : what look do you give me? I would direct Danforth to look stunned at this point) Ill not have such looks. (she turns for the door) By Abigail saying this in a sharp tone, and Danforth being stunned, it conveys to the audience that Abigail is still manipulating Danforth and that Danforth is now starting to believe Proctor. Once Elizabeth has entered on page 90, I would direct Elizabeth to say her first line: Good, sir very faintly. This conveys to the audience that Elizabeth has been treated badly in the prison and has poor health. I would then direct Elizabeth to try to get proctors attention while saying: she were - I would direct her to glance in proctors direction, with a tear in her eye, and she would say the line very timidly. This conveys to the audience that Elizabeth doesnt know how to answer the question as she does not know if her husband wants her to tell them or not. When Elizabeth says the line Oh God! I would direct her to attempt to look back at proctor and for her to break down in tears. This conveys to the audience that she lied for Proctor not realising that he didnt want her to lie for him. After all this drama on stage, I would direct Hale to say his line a very demanding way. When he says the line: I believe him! (Pointing to Abigail. ) This girl has always struck me false! She has - I would direct him to quickly point at Abigail, using his whole arm and will walk to towards her before he finishes the sentence. This shows the audience that Hale believes Proctor and is trying to show the court what is really happening and that he is trying to convince the court to believe Proctor. When Abigail screams and says the line: You will not! Begone! Begone I say! In a very scared manner; I would direct Abigail to thrust her arms back and to look up at the ceiling while saying the line, but just before she says the line I would direct her to make a weird, wild and chilling cry. When Danforth asks Abigail what is the matter, I would direct Abigail to point at the ceiling with fear, and moves her head to face Danforth, and her eyes look frightened, with her face terribly awed, and then she looks at the girls, and they all do the same as what she was doing previously, and then Abigail looks up at the ceiling again. This conveys to the audience that Abigail is telling the girls to look up at the ceiling as something is there. When Proctor says the line : Do you see a bird I would direct him to say this in a confused way, to show that hes not sure if a real small bird is there or not. This conveys to the audience that only the girls can see the bird. On the line: Abby, Im here! I would direct Mary to be yelling this at Abigail while leaning forward a little, as if to go near her, whilst with both hands clenched on her heart. This conveys to the audience that Mary is desperate for Abby to stop it and that Mary isnt doing anything wrong. When all the girls say: Abby you mustnt I would direct all their eyes to fixed wide open. This creates a dramatic effect on stage and conveys to the audience that their actions have something to do with their plan with the devil. Mary then yells: Abby and I would direct her to have tears rolling down her cheeks, but not hysterically, and for her to stamp her feet like a little child desperate to get what she wants. This conveys to the audience again that Mary is desperate for Abigail to stop otherwise if the judges believe Abigail and the girls; Mary could face a death sentence for it. On the line: Look out! Shes coming down! I would direct all the girls to look up before that line and once the line is said, all the girls should shriek and run to wall on stage where the judges are not positioned. I would also direct the cover the eyes using a cross shape with their hand, with the palms facing outwards, like a shield before their eyes. The girls all scream, and then I would direct Mary to look around the courtroom, to look frightened, and close her eyes with her fists clenched, and for her to let out the loudest scream she possibly can, and as soon as this happens I would direct the girls screams to slowly fade and for them to un-shield their eyes, so everyone in the courtroom is watching Mary screaming. Then I would direct proctor to run towards her and to grab her by the shoulders. This suggests to the audience that Mary got to scared and joined Abigails side, and that Proctor is astonished by what Mary has just done. After that, I would direct that Mary pulls away from proctor and stops screaming, but turns to face him and slowly backs away shrieking: My name, he want my name (I would direct Mary to look at Danforth sympathetically and then turn back round) Ill murder you he say, if my wife hangs! we must go and overthrow the court he says! Then I would direct Danforths head to jerk towards proctor, with the most shock and horror on his face. This conveys to the audience that the girls are definitely lying because the audience knows that Proctor never said any of the things that Mary has accused him of. When Danforth says to Proctor: What are you? (Proctor is beyond speech to his anger. You are combined with anti- Christ, are you not? I have seen your power, you will not deny it! What say you, Mister? I would direct Danforth to say the first part of the passage in a disappointed way, as if to show that he is disgusted by what Proctor has become; I would then direct him to say the second bit of the passage in a disgraced and angry way. This conveys to the audience that Danforth believes the girls over what Proctor and Hales say. Hale goes extra mad at this and yells extremely loudly so all the members of the court turn to look at him: I denounce these proceedings! this conveys to the audience that Hale believes Proctor and wants to stop what the court is doing. The Crucible Essay Example The Crucible Essay Arthur Miller wrote the play The Crucible in response to the red scare of the 1950s, in which he was was condemned for disrespect disapproval of the United States Congress for being unsuccessful in naming numerous individuals who had attended meetings with him. In a bid to not only secure his career as a Journalist play writer and also to alert the American people against the government misinformation propaganda that were headed their way. The characters in the play are faced with the same tragedies sentences that befell people during the McCarthyism trials; he ses the Salem Witch Trials as a metaphor to draw national attention towards the doings and executioners of the McCarthyism propaganda. Arthur Miller uses allegory in his play, The Crucible, to show the similarities between the Salem witch trials and the Red Scare. During the McCarthy era, freedom was a very important aspect in life; during the Salem witch trials, religion was a very important aspect of life. In both of these events, people are frightened. The Red Scare led to many people fearing others, thinking everyone was a Communist. In the Salem witch trials, itchcraft is threatening the village. Miller also wanted to show the similarity between both corrupt courts in these two events. In the Salem witch trials, all substantial evidence is through out of the window, and everything that supports witchcraft is valid. Much is the same with the Red Scare court system. The obvious connections between the Salem Witch Trials and the McCarthy era are illustrated throughout The Crucible, and one could argue Miller wrote the play to help Americans realize the wrong in accusing others without evidence. During both the itch trials and the chaos in the 1950s, innocent people were blacklisted, trivial actions became suspicious, and humans allowed their fear to run their actions. We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In both cases, respectable people were unjustly accused, and blacklisted, permanently ruining their reputations. Accusations came from fear of being accused, as well as the fear of being in harm. Many people who were highly respected were accused of unreasonable crimes, and due to the hysteria at the time, they were not questioned. For example, in the 1950s Senator Joseph McCarthy created a list of potential ndividuals he feared were communist, such as Walt Disney, Ronald Regan and Arthur Miller. McCarthy created this list based off of his own fears of communism, and unsubstantial evidence, and accused many highly respected people of an unrealistic crime. McCarthy accused people of communism who did not support the communist party in any way, and resulted in their prominent careers being destroyed and loss of their family and friends all based on untrue rumors which were spread about them The Crucible By ritaaax33