Compare And Contrast Gattaca And The Crucible

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The Crucible, by Arthur Miller as well as Gattaca by Andrew Niccol use the protagonist of their texts to show disapproval of the societies that they have created. While both authors vary the presentation of their societies, they both explore the damaging qualities of the societies through their central protagonist. Gattaca, set in the not too distant future explores the effects of compulsory genetic modification on society while, contrastingly, conformity and the rules of the church are explored throughout The Crucible.
Although Gattaca is a film and, The Crucible is a play, Niccol and Miller both highlight the disapproval of their societies through their protagonists, Vincent Freeman and John Proctor. Through the use of the interpolation Miller …show more content…

By the end of Gattaca, Vincent has overcome his many obstacles and is within minutes of accomplishing his childhood goal. Throughout Gattaca, Vincent is forced to have medical testing, which could easily uncover the fact that he is an Invalid member of society. But unbeknown to him the doctor, Lamar, does in fact know that he is an Invalid. In his last minutes on Earth, Vincent is forced to have a urine test, he is visibly worried as he says “Just remember. I was as good as any, and better than most. I could’ve gone up and back and nobody would’ve been the wiser.” Dr. Lamar is unfazed by this confession and reveals that he knew all along “for future reference, right handed men don’t hold it with their left. Just one of those things.” As Dr. Lamar lets Vincent leave, he shows that he supports Vincent and his dreams, because of this Dr. Lamar represents the way that the society could change for the better. Just as there are hopes for the society in Gattaca to redeem itself, there are also hopes of redemption in The Crucible. In the fourth act of The Crucible, John falsely confesses to binding himself to the devil in hopes to save his life, but when he is forced to sign his confession so it can be hung on the church doors for everyone to see, John refuses, “No, no. I have signed it. You have seen me. It is done! You have no need for this.” As a result, his confession is void, and John is hung. By refusing to confess and give up his good name John defeats the corrupt system, he is able to achieve goodness by refusing to conform. The final stage direction suggests hope that the madness of the witch hunts are at an end. By accepting death over complicity with the church, the theocracy is

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