In the movie adaptation of the Crucible by Arthur Miller, Nicholas Hytner takes a play about a town filled with hysteria and superstition and makes it overly dramatic and lacking humane nature. By taking on the task of turning this profound play into a movie, the credibility of why the people of Salem would believe in the evils of witchcraft must be present. The element of hysteria arrives too quickly and only exists within a select group of people: the afflicted and their loved ones. It is also difficult to understand how the people of Salem could believe in witchcraft when Abigail William’s group of girls are obviously pretending to see spirits and feint to the ground because of the Devil’s acquaintances. Overall, this play is poorly adapted …show more content…
In the play, John Proctor is an honorable man who cannot forgive himself for committing lechery with Abigail. Everytime he interacts with her he is full of regret and very distant. But in the movie, Proctor and Abigail kiss in one of the scenes, and although John eventually pushes away, the moment still twists his honor and the viewer’s perspective of him. Arthur Miller needed Proctor to be a man who cannot forgive himself for breaking one of the ten commandments, not one that indulges in actions he should not. The reason he is depicted as he is in the play is so that in the end there is a strong notion that everything he does is to keep his name intact and to better his reputation. But, the kiss makes John Proctor seem like an indulgent sinner and lessens the credibility that he is a good man who made a mistake and cannot forgive himself. Although John’s death is very sad, this disconnect in the adaptation of the play lessens the viewer’s emotional connection to this tragic …show more content…
He is seen as an intellectual who everyone is hoping can solve the problem of witchcraft. But in the movie, specifically the scene where he is looking for signs of the Devil on Ruth Putnam, the angle of the camera just impacts the scene in a very negative way. Although Hale becomes more strong and influential at the end of the film, the naivety in the beginning causes an essential disconnect with Hale’s true character. His transformation throughout the whole movie, almost as significant as John Proctor’s, is actually one of the most beneficial moments and perfectly shown change. The final reason that this film is not a good adaptation of the play is that the final moment that Elizabeth and John Proctor share is more awkward than it is full of emotions. In the novel, there just are not enough words to say which leads to their silence, and that is made obvious. But in the movie, the silence is awkward and lacking purpose. The scenic aspects are beautiful as the emotions run high and the tears fall quickly as they stand in the strong winds. Yet their final goodbye takes away from the quality and significance of their love for each other. Small scenes and characteristics like these are what Arthur Miller places importance on, thus without them the movie is being poorly
In “The Crucible”, the author, Arthur Miller, conveys what he believes Senator Joe McCarthy is doing during the Red Scare. The Salem Witch Trials were true events, while this play uses these trials and adds a fictional twist to show a point. Witchcraft was punishable by death during this time. Once names started flying in town it was like a chain reaction, people were accusing others of witchcraft because they were not fond of them or they had something they wanted. Some definitions state mass hysteria as contagious, the characters in this play deemed it true. In this play, innocent people were hung because some of the girls in town cried witch.
As the play starts off, and John Proctor is introduced, it becomes know that he committed adultery with Abigail, the antagonist of the play. At this point, the play tells that John has gone against his own values by committing adultery, as well as the town’s values. He starts off seeming as though he is a very confused man and does not know what to think about his relationship with Abigail. “Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again.” (22). This is showing how he still likes her, but he feels he cannot commit adultery with her again.
During the early years of the colonies, there was a mad witch hunt striking the heart of Salem. Anger, reputation, and even religion play an important part during the play of The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller. The author allows us to witness the vivid idea of the hysteria taking place in Salem, Massachusetts, and why it was so vulnerable during the time.
The Crucible is an incredibly influential play no only in the fact that it displays many important themes, but it also portrays how a theocracy impacts societal actions. The Salem witch trials were the culmination of the problems with theocracy. The actions of society, not only are impacted by their personal thoughts, but also in religious undertones affect them. Act two in the play portrays not only all of these themes, but also some important events leading towards the witchcraft hysteria. Act two in the play portrays how theocracy ultimately leads to chaos.
The Crucible: Hysteria and Injustice Thesis Statement: The purpose is to educate and display to the reader the hysteria and injustice that can come from a group of people that thinks it's doing the "right" thing for society in relation to The Crucible by Arthur Miller. I. Introduction: The play is based on the real life witch hunts that occurred in the late 1600's in Salem, Massachusetts. It shows the people's fear of what they felt was the Devil's work and shows how a small group of powerful people wrongly accused and killed many people out of this fear and ignorance.
In 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, a group of teen girls caught in an innocent act of love potions to catch the love of men are compelled to tell lies that Satan had invaded them and forced them to participate in the rituals and are then forced to name those involved. Thrown into the mix are greedy preachers and other major landowners trying to steal others ' land and one young woman infatuated with a married man and determined to get rid of his innocent wife. Those who demanded their innocence were executed, those who would not name names were incarcerated and tortured, and those who admitted their guilt were immediately freed. The Salem Witch Trials are possibly the most notable examples of the persecution of witchcraft in the New World. In Arthur Miller’s 1996 film, The Crucible, it portrays the witch trials from the point of view of a small community that becomes disintegrated by frenzy and lunacy. The film, emphasizes the role of a group of girls led by Abigail Williams, and illustrates how society was so strict for not only women, but even young children. This caused an uncommon form of hysterical fear of witches, spirits and the Devil. This group of girls created an outlet of their own from their reality. “The witch trials are often taken as a lens to view the whole Puritan period in New England and to serve as an example of religious prejudice, social persecution, and superstition” (Ray
“It’s strange how I knew you, but I suppose you look as such a good soul should. We have all heard of your great charities in Beverly.” This quote, stated by Reverend Hale, referring to Rebecca Nurse explains how others in the town think very highly of her. Therefore, when Rebecca is accused of using witchcraft to murder Ann Putnam's babies during the Salem Witchcraft Trials, the townspeople suggest that it may be a hoax. I can relate to Rebecca Nurse because we are both greatly understanding, extremely skeptical, and very nurturing.
The Crucible – Characters and Changes & nbsp; Change is good for the future. " We hear the catchy phrase everywhere. From company slogans to motivational speeches, our world seems to impose this idea that change is always a good thing. Assuming that the change is for the better, it is probably a true statement in most cases. The root of this idea seems to come from the notion that we are dissatisfied with the state that we are in, so, in order to create a more enjoyable environment, we adjust.
In The Crucible, the members of the Salem community accept the lies that their neighbors are taking apart of witchcraft as the truth. The lies and deceit in the community help attribute to the play’s overall theme of hysteria. The theme of hysteria is prevalent throughout the play, as the belief that witchcraft is occurring in the town enables members of the community to believe that their neighbors have committed devilish acts. As the town descends into a hysterical climate, members of the community take advantage of the situation to act upon any long-held grudges or repressed sentiment. Characters, such as Abigail, use both lies and hysteria to seek revenge and gain power.
The crucible, written by Arthur Miller, is about the Salem witch trials and how people react to hysteria created from the fear of witches. In the play, after hysteria breaks out, the Salem government starts persecute and hang people it believes are witches. This prompts people to start to accusing people of witchcraft. Some people who accuse others of committing witchcraft are Abigail Williams and Thomas Putnam. They do not accuse people of witchcraft to stop witchcraft, but for personal gain or to hurt others. Thomas Putnam, one of the many characters who takes advantage of the witch trials, is able to use the fear of witches to bend the court to his will. Hysteria causes people to believe claims that are clearly false. This allows Putnam to persecute his enemies. He and many other are able to get away with this because hysteria driven persecutions are not run like regular courts and the fact that witchcraft is an invisible crime allows evidence to be made up. The theme of The Crucible is when any persecution is driven by fear and people can and will manipulate the system so they can gain and hurt another.
I, Elizabeth Proctor, am innocent. I have faced countless ridicule, discrimination, and hatred over an act that was never performed by me, near me, or around me. No one I have ever known has been a witch, and there’s no more of a reason for me to be considered one too. Sure, I have made mistakes in my life, but nothing as to which would be basis for the grounds upon me being accused of witchcraft. This is simply preposterous! I have lived a good Christian life and been god-fearing, what more do you vile accusers expect of me? I have been a good wife to a cheating husband and now will be a mother to one. Even with a delayed hanging until my baby is born, of what good will my child be, being raised without a loving mother? How will my baby be
A wise human once stated, “People are quick to believe the bad things they hear about good people”(Unknown). Bound by the nature of humans, many are hasty to believe inaccurate accounts, no matter the circumstances, whether the accounts have evidence, or if they have any veracity to them. In Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible, the hysteric citizens of Salem, Massachusetts experience an outrageous witch hunt movement, accumulating a hefty death total of twenty citizens. The play begins with Reverend Parris, a relatively new Puritan minister in Salem, whose daughter, Betty Parris, is stuck in a coma-like state. Parris reveals that his niece Abigail, was seen dancing with Betty, and Tituba, Parris’ black slave from Barbados. Concerned about his reputation,
“Well, all the plays that I was trying to write were plays that would grab an audience by the throat and not release them, rather than presenting an emotion which you could observe and walk away from.” by Arthur Miller. All great works provide a way to reach in and grab the audience through the reoccurring themes like, greed, jealousy, reputation and hypocrisy. Arthur Miller had one of those great works and it was called “The Crucible”. The play was based off of the witch trials that happened in Salem in the year of 1962. Some of the characters were actual characters involved in the witch trials. Arthur Miller wrote this play during the time of the “Red Scare”. Miller wrote The Crucible because he wanted to turn the The Salem Witch Trials into
In a society that demands conformity we see the effects on individuals who suffer in both The Crucible and Year of Wonders with their independence. The protagonist, John Proctor in The Crucible shares similar qualities with Anys Gowdie in Year of Wonders. Proctor’s disregard for social and religious customs creates a conflict between him and his community. He fails to conform to the teachings of society and is punished for his sins. He falters when recalling the ten commandments and commits the act of lechery. For this he suffers greatly, hanged for his confession of a lie. Much like Anys Gowdie who also does not attend church or any religious practices in complete disregard for the community’s religious views. For this she also suffers momentously as she is hanged on the accusation of witchery in the
Many different books, plays, and other works of art, compose to make up what is today called American literature. American literature however has no boundaries and has no definite start, and currently no definite end. Today American literature is heavily though of as works of literature composed by all Americans of all kinds. Meaning it has no true boundaries in the form of people. No matter race, location, or religion American literature, has a connection to all. American literature is what defines America and its peoples of all races. The true definition of American literature is vague and uncertain; however American literature exists and is a prominent subject throughout the world. Some of the greatest works of art come from American literature, and within this