The play the crucible by Arthur Miller show alot of exaggeration that happened in salem. All this exaggeration started because of a thing called McCarthyism. McCarthyism is the act of accusing other people falsely just because either you don't like the person or you don't like something they did. The play is set in Salem Massachusetts in 1692. The first act starts off in a small bedroom of the home of Reverend parris. A group of girls snuck off one night into the woods one night. They danced around a fire and a pot of things they brought. Some were naked when dancing Abigail William’s uncle catches them and they run off. The next morning one of the girls Betty is found ill and won't wake up.Tituba walked into the room to see if betty is going …show more content…
We find out that John Proctor had an affair with Abigail Williams. Mary Warren had bad news about all the people who are condemned to hang there are 39 people who have been arrested. Discussion about witchcraft came about and Salem started to worry more about the evil spirits. Everyone feared Abigail Williams, she was the decider of who were to be a witch or not. Hale came to the Proctor House to question them on their religious practices. He asked them to recite their commandments and John Proctor forgot the one about adultery. Abigail didn't like Elizabeth -created a scheme to frame her. Mary made a poppet and stuck a needle into it, and Abigail stuck a needle into herself and told the authorities that Elizabeth did this with the poppet. More cases appeared in the courtroom. Elizabeth is taken away from the house by the authorities. Led to the innocent people of Salem being annihilated or sentenced to …show more content…
He has been trying to get the convicted to confess. Hale feels guilty because he has changed his mind about the witchcraft and feels like it is his fault that all these people have died. Abigail and Mercy Lewis robbed Parris penniless and boarded a ship. Paris is devastated not because Abigail vanished but because he is penniless. Hale tries to convince Danforth to hold off with the hangings for a week so he has more time to convince the convicted. Danforth refuses because the people are expecting the hangings and postponement will make him look bad. They decide to have Elizabeth talk to John and try and get him to confess. Elizabeth says that she cannot judge him and that it's not her soul, it's his. John decides to confess, but doesn't understand why he needs to put it on paper. By Rebecca Nurse not confessing and showing no fear, it convinces him to not confess and he rips up the paper. As they are led out to the gallows, Hale begs Elizabeth to go get John, she says that he has his goodness now, god forbid she take it from him. Parris is afraid that he will be killed by the townspeople if he lets good people be hanged. Elizabeth confesses that it is partially her fault that John cheated on her. Giles Corey was pressed to death for refusing to answer to his indictment. All he said was "more weight". John proctor rips up the papper becase he wanted to save his
The Crucible was set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It was set in a little country town full of what everyone thought were good people. When we started reading The Crucible we were introduced to many people from this small town of Salem. There are many pros and cons to living in a small town, but this book shows us many of these pros and cons. The three main characters that we were introduced are Abigail Williams, John Proctor, and Reverend Hale. In this story these characters contributed some of the most irrational things that caused most of the problems in this small town.
Among these are the adulterous relationship between Abigail Adams and John Proctor, Abigail’s intense hatred of Elizabeth, numerous accusations towards Salem citizens, and the pressing of Giles Corey‒ only to name a few. Abigail and Proctor’s relationship has a major influence on the play as a whole. This conflict is the driving force of the plot. Abigail’s loathing of Elizabeth is also portrayed in the film. Abigail claims that Elizabeth’s possessed spirit stabbed her with a needle; this needle was found in the poppet gifted to Elizabeth by Mary Warren. Abigail forms a devious plot in hopes that Elizabeth will either be arrested or killed, so she can take her place as the wife of John Proctor. What Abigail does not intend is for John to be the one hanged. Giles Corey is pressed to death for his refusal to give a name. Without these events, the themes of injustice and selfishness would no longer be important to the
Elizabeth and John start to feel the tension when Elizabeth tries to convince John about going to court and persecuting Abigail but he refuses. When he disputes with his wife he argues, “you will judge me no more Elizabeth I have good reason to charge fraud on Abigail and I will think on it” (193). Proctor is not completely satisfied about throwing Abigail under the bus because he doesn’t want to initially hurt her and he would lose his respect in the town if he did. So he isn’t convinced about the fact that his wife is trying to get him to charge fraud at this point of the play. Soon afterward Mary the proctor’s servant comes home with news that Elizabeth has been convicted of witchcraft as well and was arrested by the sheriff in town to be brought to the trials.
When the play sets in to action, John has had a past affair with his servant Abigail Williams. His wife, Elizabeth Proctor is very forgiving of his sin, but John has his mind set that he will not confess to anyone else, in fear of ruining his good name, and reputation. The affair between John and Abigail caused the start of chaotic witchery and accusation. After the affair, Abigail became horribly jealous of Elizabeth Proctor. Proctor realizes there is only one way to stop all the witch hysteria in Salem, and that would be to confess his sin of adultery. Although he knows he should, he continues to be determined not to confess. Also in the beginning Reverend Paris is new to town, and John insist continually that he is only speaking of hell, and hardly ever of God, as Proctor goes on to say to Parris, "Can you speak one minute without we land in Hell again? I am sick of Hell!" (Miller 30). In the drama, Mary Warren places a needle in a poppet she gave to Elizabeth; John firmly demands that Mary Warren tell the courts that she really put the needle in the poppet that day. Proctor says to her, "You're coming to the court with me, Mary. You will tell it in the court." (Miller 80). Furthermore, at the end of the play Proctor is persistent by saying that no matter what anyone says to convince him differently, he would rather die an honest man and save his name. John Proctor took pride in his thoughts, feelings, values, and his name. It took persistency to make his intent clear to others.
When these women of Salem Massachusetts started to do witchcraft and pass it on to other people, they were put on trial for their actions, which at the time was, illegal. It had caught on all over England and was spreading fast. Arthur Miller made a play called the Crucible that was about the Salem witchcraft trials. Arthur Miller took the historical accounts and changed them to be suitable for the play. The crucible had many alterations to the historical documents that took place in 1962 which were in the characters, the historical differences, and why the theme of history was changed.
It was easier for them to blame the devil for the problems of society than fix the problems of their own strict way of life. So the girls involved with Abigail, like Mercy Lewis and Mary Warren, named many people in the town as witches. These people were put in jail and would be hanged if they did not confess to the crime of devil worship or witchcraft. Another part of the developing plot is that John Proctor knows Abigail and her friends are lying, but he is afraid to say anything because eight months before he had an affair with Abigail and did not want to be seen by the town as a lecher, which means wife cheater. So, Mr. Proctor has to fight with himself to come out and tell the truth, or his wife might die because of Abigail saying she was a witch.
"Power tends to corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" - Lord Action. In "The Crucible" composed by Arthur Miller control, power, fear and greed were the main factors that began the Salem witch trails. Power brings out the true nature of a person and we see that happening to Abigail throughout the play. That brings me to my next point fear, Abigail used the fear of accusing people of being witches to gain power and control. It all started with Abigail misunderstanding lust for love. John Proctor thought softly of her and she began dreaming of replacing his wife willing to go to any needs necessary.
When Proctor is put on trial, Danforth brings in Elizabeth to questions about the affair. Elizabeth must feel her heart racing because his life is in her hands. The words that came out of Elizabeth’s mouth is taken seriously. When Danfourth questions Elizabeth he says “Look at me! To your own knowledge, has John Proctor even committed the crime of lechery?”(Miller 105). Elizabeth answers faintly and says “No, sir”(Miller 105). At that moment, things went terribly wrong. Elizabeth tries to protect Proctor’s name, so she does not tell the truth. Little does she know, Proctor confesses beforehand. Obviously, she does this because no matter what, she still loves him. After the trial, Elizabeth talks to John about the situation. When Elizabeth soothes John about the situation, she says “John, it come to naught that I should forgive you, if you’ll not forgive yourself” (Miller 126). Elizabeth’s forgiveness makes John want to keep lying. If he knows she is okay with it, he will deny it to others. Her opinion is so important to him because he wants the best for her. Although, he decides to confess. This proves Elizabeth does not want him to die. Finally , after everything Proctor has been through, she lies to the court, so they do not hang him. This proves Elizabeth is a loyal
The witchcraft trials became a significant event in Salem. There were 20 innocent people that died and many more accused. There is a debate on whether who was the main reason for the witchcraft trials and all the deaths of the accused. There are good arguments on about every side. Judge Danforth, Abigail Williams, John Proctor, Reverend Hale, Reverend Parris, Elizabeth Proctor and Mary Warren are all the main arguments for the blame. Personally, I believe that Abigail Williams is the main reason why the witchcraft trials came about and that so many people have died and were accused.
Lies. Death. Affairs. John Proctor had fornication with Abigail, who hates his wife and would do anything to make sure she was out of the picture. Abigail started the talk of witchcraft because her and the girls were caught dancing in the woods and she did not want to get into any trouble. John died because he was accused of witchcraft . Reverend Hale came into town and aided in pursuing the “witchcraft hunt”. In the book The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, Hale is the most responsible for John Proctor’s death because when he arrived in town he started the gossip of witchcraft, he pressured and inquired the girls to give him a name, and he left the court when he could have tried to salvage the innocent people.
Abigail is attracted to Proctor and instead of suppressing her attraction, she pursues and seduces him. Once Goody Proctor learns of the affair Abigail is quickly removed from the home. She resents Goody Proctor because she prevents her from being with Proctor. Proctor goes to the home of Reverend Paris one night after rumors spread around town of witchcraft. Abigail confronts him, “I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near! Or did I dream that? It’s she who put me out, you cannot pretend it were you. I saw your face when she put me out, and you loved me then and you do now!” (Miller 145). Abigail resents Goody Proctor for kicking her out and claims that she is spreading rumors around town about her. To prove that Abigail is not being truthful with her claims about the witch trials, Proctor goes to the courts to tell of their affair. Looking for validation Governor Danforth calls forth Goody Proctor to confirm her husband’s accusations. The judge does not allow her to look at her husband when she is called in and in hopes to save him, she denies the claim when questioned (Miller 194). Proctor is then also taken into custody and later hung. Proctor’s sinful choices with Abigail cost the lives of countless men and women in the Salem witch
In 1953, the play called “The Crucible” written by Arthur Miller created hysteria in all parts of the country. This play describes the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692 and the irony of a terrible period of American history.
The Crucible is a 1953 play by Arthur Miller. Initially, it was known as The Chronicles of Sarah Good. The Crucible was set in the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts. It talks of McCarthyism that happened in the late 1600’s whereby the general public and people like Arthur Miller were tried and persecuted. The Crucible exemplifies persecutions during the Salem Witch Trials. The people were convicted and hung without any tangible proof of committing any crime. Persecutions were the order of the day. When a finger was pointed at any individual as a witch, the Deputy Governor Danforth never looked for evidence against them or evidence that incriminated them; he ordered them to be hanged. This can be seen through his words “Hang them high over the town! Who weeps for those, weeps for corruption!” (1273), the people were persecuted aimlessly. The four main characters in the play, John Proctor, Abigail Adams, Reverend Hale and Reverend Parris, are caught in the middle of the witchcraft panic in the religious Salem, Massachusetts in late 1690’s. Persecution is the most important theme in the Crucible, the leaders and citizens of Salem attacks and persecutes one of their own without any tangible evidence against them.
Salem was a town where status was everything, filled with mass proportions in devout Puritan belief, that created a terrible mix that eventually led to the Salem Witch Trial Hysteria. The Crucible, a play based on the events of the Salem Witch Trials, included several scenes filled with irony that involved John Proctor, proving crucial to the overall story. Ironic events throughout the story that were crucial to the outcome were: when John Proctor failed to name the ten commandments to Reverend Hale, when he told the truth about his affair with Abigail which had a reverse effect of what he wanted, and when John Proctor ultimately redeemed himself by solidifying his future; death. The Crucible was an exceptional play that shined light on the
To start things off in the court, John Proctor is the protagonist and Abigail is the antagonist. Abigail also leads the girls in court in their witchcraft accusations. To start the court situation off, Hale believed that all the information that she told him were indeed false and only lead Abigail to point at others such as Mary Warren. “But God made my face; you cannot want to tear my face. Envy is a deadly sin, Mary”. (Miller 120). The irony here is she calls out Mary Warren for committing a deadly sin such as envy, however both lies with the lord’s name in vain and committed adultery with John Proctor (as that is what she stats happened). Abigail also points again to Elizabeth Proctor and accuses her of creating a voodoo doll and stuck pins into it to harm her, when it was Mary Warren who put it into the Proctor’s home to have proof that the Elizabeth needed to be arrested. “Tis hard proof!(To Hale) I find here a poppet Goody Proctor keeps. I have found it sir. And in the belly of the poppet is a needle’s stuck” (Miller 79). Also it was Mary Warren who put it there, everyone assumed it was Goody Proctor who did because it was in the Proctor home. However, even after Goody Proctor was set to be arrested with enough proof, Mary Warren comes out to tell everyone that it is her poppet.