. 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. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. In addition to grubbing for a few extra pounds every year, Parris makes a show out of needing golden candlesticks for the altar to replace the pewter ones that have served the church since it was built. How do the witch trials empower individuals who were previously powerless? Danforth insists that John must know more about the Devil's dealings than he has revealed. 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. The prisoners have lost all faith in earthly authority figures and look towards the judgment of God. Hypocrisy In Salem And The Crucible Proctor knows that unlike most of the other people who have gotten hanged, his is not completely innocent. Miller explains this further: ''long-held hatreds of neighbors could now be openly expressed, and vengeance taken, despite the Bible's charitable injunctions.'' One single example is ; Corporate and political greed and desire for power is the reason for most of the suffering as claimed by many. The attitudes towards women in the 1950s, when the play was written, are evident in the roles they're given. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Jennifer has taught high school English for eight years and has a master's degree in curriculum and assessment. This is a lesson in how fear can twist perceptions of reality even for those who consider themselves reasonable under normal circumstances. The importance placed on reputation helps perpetuate hysteria because it leads to inaction, inflexibility, and, in many cases, active sabotage of the reputations of others for selfish purposes. 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. This makes him particularly averse to accepting that he's been fooled by a teenage girl. Though a character can have significant moral flaws, they can be wise enough to recognize their flaws and change their ways. He chooses to die instead of providing a false confession because he doesnt think life will be worth living after he is so disgraced. If you hope to write an awesome essay onThe Crucible, you should have extensive knowledge of its themes. Not living up to our beliefs, opinions,virtues, feelings, qualities, or standards is not a hypocrisy.Hypocrisy is pretending (and lying to others) to have them when we don't. This vicious cycle continues to claim the lives of more and more people as the play progresses. The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. The main pillars of traditional power are represented by the law and the church. Why is hypocrisy so common in repressive communities like Salem? Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. officials (like Danforth) unable or unwilling to listen to reason? He appears to have no governing system of morality. I'll give a short summary of how each plays a role in the events of The Crucible. She beg me make charm (Miller, pg. Theme 3: Reputation. The theme of guilt is one that is deeply relevant to John Proctor's character development throughout the play. 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. What is the writer attempting to convey to the viewer? | 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. 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). Many people confess when threatened with execution, and this only heightens the paranoid atmosphere. The Crucible is commonly viewed as an allegorical representation of the communist "witch hunts" conducted in the 1950s. By the end of class, you should be able to: Identify basic elements of McCarthyism, including the following terms: 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. Elizabeth doesnt realize that John is willing to sacrifice his reputation to save her life. 22). 67). 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. 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. The judges cannot force her to commit herself to a lie, and her martyrdom severely damages their legitimacy and favor amongst the townspeople. 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. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in. Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. This website helped me pass! Lying- Explain why the girls are more willing to lie . 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. To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. Here are some discussion questions to consider after reading about the thematic role of the concepts of power and authority in the events of the play: Mary Warren when she comes back from Salem in Act 2. 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. There are two examples of Ad hominem from The Crucible in Act 2 and Act 3. A professor tells us that he has a strict rule about cell phones in the classroom, then he answers it midway through his own lecture. Essay questions that ask about themes in this straightforward way can be tricky because there's a temptation to speak in vague terms about the theme's significance. The Devil is really a superstition hiding the townspeople, who are ''precise'' in their accusations because they want land from others. 123). 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. You can also read my full summary of The Crucible here for a review of exactly what happens in the plot in each act. Furthermore, this is destructive influence because by telling Elizabeth to tell Proctor to lie, this adds upon his sins. She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. Of course, we know that Danforth has been trading peoples lives for lies this whole time. Danforth is convinced that there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country! and anyone who doubts the decisions of the court is potentially involved. There's a message here about the choices we have in dealing with guilt. They so fear the devilish consequences of challenging the accusers that theyre willing to take them at their word and ignore any defenses the accused have to offer. 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). It caused many people, in Salem during this event to think fast, rash and jump to conclusions. How is Parris fate in act 4 ironic when considering his role in the events of the play? Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. Posted at 02:28h in motion to dismiss child support arrears by how does shakespeare present lady macbeth as ambitious. Miller fills us in on much of the history in breaks in the play where he offers commentary in his own voice. 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. 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. In Act 3, Abigails power in the courthouse is on display. 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. Though Danforth is the most powerful official figure in court, Abigail manipulates him easily with her performance as a victim of witchcraft. " jesus christThe simple answer is of course, yes! Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? This is also the commandment that he has violated most explicitly, so youd think it would be the first one to spring to mind. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. Judge Danforth a well respected man in the society that has the supreme rule over the court. Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. The Crucible presents a view of women that essentially reduces them to caricatures of human beings that are defined by their roles as mothers, wives, and servants to men. 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. Other essay questions may not ask you directly about the themes listed in this article, but that doesn't mean that the themes are irrelevant to your writing. The second major theme in The Crucible (and one that teachers often ask about) is fear and hysteria. Throughout "The Crucible", Abigail Williams commits the largest act of hypocrisy. Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. While it does provide an entertaining experience at face value, the true literary genius behind the work is Miller's . 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