It caused many people, in Salem during this event to think fast, rash and jump to conclusions. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. How do the witch trials empower individuals who were previously powerless? The judges cannot force her to commit herself to a lie, and her martyrdom severely damages their legitimacy and favor amongst the townspeople. officials (like Danforth) unable or unwilling to listen to reason? Abigail possesses a two- pronged approach in her motivation. No one even considers Mary's statement about sticking the needle in herself. 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). This new power is exciting and very dangerous because. This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. 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. Even before Abigail makes accusations, rumors of witchcraft have morphed into accepted truths in the minds of the more superstitious members of the community. 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. Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" is a fictional account of the real life Salem witch trials, but the play has far deeper meanings than just a dramatic interpretation of the event. Nowhere is there any consideration of ulterior motives. How does Parris pride prevent him from doing anything to stop the progression of events in the play? 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. As this hysteria begins to rise, other people such as Thomas Putnam, a rich landowner, start to also allege Salem villagers. This new power is exciting and very dangerous because it encourages the girls to make additional accusations in order to preserve their value in the eyes of the court. 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). Here's another example of a potential essay question for The Crucible that's less explicit in its request for you to discuss themes of the play: "Most of the main characters in the play have personal flaws and either contribute to or end up in tragedy. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. Reverend Parris' concerns about his reputation are immediately evident in Act 1. Hypocrisy relates to The Crucible in that both Reverend Parris and Mr. Putnam are incredibly hypocritical characters. 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. Themes tell us what the purpose of the work is. Act 4 is Danforths turn to shine in the irony department. How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. If Danforth accepts Marys testimony, it would mean that he wrongly convicted numerous people already. . 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. I'll give a short summary of how each plays a role in the events of The Crucible. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. She openly threatens Danforth for even entertaining Mary and John's accusations of fraud against her. This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. This is especially true with the reputation and hysteria themes. She is cast as a villain. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. John attempts to crush his guilt instead of facing it, which only ends up making it an even more destructive factor in his life. 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). Every person has some kind of flaw; no one is completely perfect. Hereferences the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. Create your account, 7 chapters | | 2 Tituba is conscious that she is in danger, she is also very frightened because her slave sense has warned her that, as always, trouble in this house eventually lands on her back (Miller, pg. In Act 3, Abigails power in the courthouse is on display. As he says,How may I live without my name? Combining this notion with the one he declared earlier displays the hypocritical nature of Danforth when put in this hysterical. Being in contact with someone else means mediating between ourselves and the other. In reality, true irony only happens when a situation is the exact opposite of what you would expect. One path to higher standing and greater control would be in becoming John Proctors wife. In saying this he admits that a person can only avoid a hanging by confessing to witchcraft even if their statement contains no truth. 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. Proctor changes from a normal citizen and sinner to a tragic hero with a high sense of morality. He is appalled by Elizabeths lack of emotion when he asks her to help the court get a confession out of her husband (pg. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. One theory of the cause of the trials is that people used the trials as a way to gain land. All rights reserved. Explain the irony of Hales position at the end of the play as compared to his actions at the beginning. She also ran the local tavern. Diehard fan of The Wire. Support me by becoming a Medium member: https://bit.ly/39Cybb8. 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John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. 133). 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. hypocrisy is a flaw in human character that can be avoided if chosen to be. 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. She is clearly outspoken and dominant, but her initial position in society is one of very little influence and authority. How do outside forces contribute to the character's flaws and eventual downfall?". She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. This leads to Marys hysterical accusation of Proctor after she finds herself targeted by the other girls and about to be consumed by the hysteria herself if she doesnt contribute to it. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. 61). In a way. And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." 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. This hysteria-based evidence of witchcraft includes the discovery of the poppet in the Proctor household with a needle in it. 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. In reality. The life of such man is ruled by the desire to seek the truth and justice in all that surrounds him, including himself. This mob mentality leads to unthoughtful acts and false accusations. Parris is extremely dismayed by this revelation because of the damage it will do to his reputation. 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. "She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris's house tonight, and without word nor warnin' she falls to the floor. 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. 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. 22). The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. 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. In the play there was a character by the name of John Proctor; Proctor was a family man that made a huge mistake. By examining the characters of the play, I believe that the three major characters who should be blamed the most for the witch trials are Abigail Williams. This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. She continues to act under the assumption that his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, and she does not reveal the affair. Posted at 02:28h in motion to dismiss child support arrears by how does shakespeare present lady macbeth as ambitious. Abigails low status and perceived innocence under normal circumstances allow her to claim even greater power in her current situation. The fact that he forgets only this commandment shows that he is trying extremely hard to repress his guilt. Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. 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. The Crucible is a play written by American author, Arthur Miller, in 1953. Abigails many deceptions are sometimes laughably ironic as she chastises others for lying even as she is spinning falsehoods. Nowhere is there any consideration of ulterior motives. Is there any character besides John Proctor that represents the voice of common sense amidst the madness? The Puritans believed that children were to be seen and not heard. . This lie essentially condemns both of them. Danforth has extensive pride in his intelligence and perceptiveness. 118). In The Crucible, they all fear witchcraft, because there is a rumor going around. Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. 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. (Cheever pg. Fear that spread among a group of people in Salem during the Salem Witch Trials, that event in history is a prime example of Mass Hysteria. Hypocrisy is "the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform". The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. Hypocrisy In Salem And The Crucible Proctor knows that unlike most of the other people who have gotten hanged, his is not completely innocent. Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. Compare and contrast three authority figures in this drama: Hale, Danforth, and Parris. Mary Warrens sense of self-importance has increased as a result of the perceived value of her participation in court. The most substantial female character is Abigail, who is portrayed as a devious and highly sexualized young woman. 119). Though Danforth is the most powerful official figure in court, Abigail manipulates him easily with her performance as a victim of witchcraft. If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. Miller accomplishes this through almost, if not every character in the story. People were put to death because their neighbors suspected them of committing a crime, but murder is a sin in the Puritan religion. 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. In this environment, whoever yells the loudest seems to get the most credibility. Greed is a sin in the Puritan religion, so the people who supported the accusations were indeed hypocrites. In one of the most well-known quotes in the play, John Proctor angrily insists that the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom (pg. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. These are themes that could be considered subsets of the topics detailed in the previous sections, but there's also room to discuss them as topics in their own right. He is somewhat responsible for all of the witch trials; if he wouldn't of committed adultery with Abigail, she wouldn't have gone on her rampage of blaming people. 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. Upon arriving in the court Mary Warren says, I cannot lie no more. Parris initially insists that there are no unnatural causes for Bettys illness because he fears that he will lose favor with the townspeople if witchcraft is discovered under his roof. It's here that we see the hypocrisy of the situation. 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. 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. 71). He claims that they must not jump to conclusions based on superstition in their investigation of Bettys affliction. 130). In a case like this, you'd be writing directly about a specific theme in connection to one of the characters. One single example is ; Corporate and political greed and desire for power is the reason for most of the suffering as claimed by many. 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. Danforth, who has the most authority, is also the most sold on her act, and it only takes a few screams to persuade him that hes in the presence of witchcraft. Hypocrisy, actually, didn't have a bad meaning until hypocrisy met politics in the 4th century B.C. The Devil has returned putting children under his control is what many people believed in Salem village in 1962. Parris begs Danforth to postpone their hangings because he fears for his life if the executions proceed as planned. I propose that each and every one of us is, or at some time has been, guilty of hyopcrisy. 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. The play is about human weakness, hypocrisy, and vindictiveness. Hale pg. It is another trait we inherited from them, and it has helped to discipline us as well as to breed hypocrisy among us.'' Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!" Rebecca Nurse, a woman whose character was previously thought to be unimpeachable, is accused and arrested. 6). She believed she had seen spirits earlier because she was caught up in the delusions of those around her. The second major theme in The Crucible (and one that teachers often ask about) is fear and hysteria. Why does he decide to do so anyways? 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. Later in Act 4, Danforth becomes angry at the implication that Johns confession may not be the truth. 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. How does Reverend Hale make Tituba feel important? Proctor is infuriated. When he starts to realize he continues to avoid people from getting mad at him for putting innocent people in jail and killing them. 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. Why wont Danforth hear his evidence? Ironically, he is the first to demand a confession from Tituba based on Abigail's dramatic but false testimony. The Devil is really a superstition hiding the townspeople, who are ''precise'' in their accusations because they want land from others. Examples Of Hypocrisy In The Crucible. A 17-year-old girl named Abigail Williams had an affair with John Proctor, a wealthy, married man. It is not just, (Miller 129). Though a character can have significant moral flaws, they can be wise enough to recognize their flaws and change their ways. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 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. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (pg. Why is Giles Cory expelled from court? 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. Danforths image is extremely valuable to him, and he refuses to allow Parris concerns to disrupt his belief in the validity of his decisions. He chooses to die instead of providing a false confession because he doesnt think life will be worth living after he is so disgraced. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, we have Rebecca Nurse. Because, the people of Salem will find out about the affair, this would weaken his reputation. Miller carries the theme of hypocrisy through Parris by giving the reverend a very greedy nature.