Comparing The Crucible 'And Whiplash'

762 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Integrity meaning importance

Reputation is the way people perceive you. Integrity is the way you perceive yourself. In many plays and films the conflict between the two is often explored, that is between remaining true to oneself as well as living up to the expectations of others. This is certainly the case in "The Crucible," a play by Arthur Miller and "Whiplash" a film directed by Damien Chazelle. Individuals that thrive on reputation find it difficult to valence values of integrity and to maintain a reputation, within a community dealing with authoritative control. In authoritarian societies the use of manipulation and fear tactics destroy any form of individuality. Salem is a puritan community where individuals live in a restrictive society of religious standards. …show more content…

Individuals are drawn to others with positive reputations. In "Whiplash," Fletcher is an abusive figure which withholds a prestigious position and or reputation at 'Schaffer conversatory, New York.' The rebellion occurring throughout the many turning points in "Whiplash" from Andrew, takes effect upon the substantial power and control that Fletcher dominates. "There are no two words in the English language more harmful than good job." From the beginning Andrew sacrifices his integrity as he accepts the physiological and physical abuse of Fletcher. Andrew is passionate about his drumming and he is determined to impress Fletcher. He loses himself through the dedication of practicing until his hands bleed and breaks up with his girlfriend believing it will help achieve his success to be "one of the greats." In order to achieve his desired reputation Andrew endures an abusive relationship with Fletcher. The two battle authoritative control. Fletcher's purpose is to find the next "Charlie Parker" and Andrew wants to be that. It takes a lot to build a reputation and only one bad deed to ruin it. Fletcher manipulated Andrew's chance of success. "I'll cue you." Andrew overpowers Fletcher's control as he fights to save his reputation by proving his integrity through

Show More
Related

  • Salem Possessed: The Social Origins Of Witchcraft

    931 Words  | 2 Pages

    Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft is a concise, 231 page informational text by Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum. Published in 1974, it explores the economic and social conditions present in the Salem village during the 1600s that led to the hysteria surrounding witchcraft. Multiple graphs and illustrations are present, as well as an average sized font, an abundance of footnotes typically on the left page, and a prominent voice from the authors. The book was written to serve as a more comprehensive informational piece on the Salem witch trials due to the authors finding other pieces written about the same topic to be inaccurate. Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum wanted to create something that utilized

    Read More

  • Comparing The Crucible And V For Vendetta

    996 Words  | 2 Pages

    1. Both Arthur Miller, the author of The Crucible, and James McTeigue, the director of V for Vendetta, both convey the idea that 'governments should be afraid of their people'. Both texts express how the governments could control their people; however that control can lead to anarchy. Miller explains how the people ‘were not quite the dedicated folk that arrived on the Mayflower, [as] a vast differentiation had taken place, and in their own time a revolution unseated the royal government… at this moment of power'. Expressing how the people were controlling the government and how they were consumed by the power that they held. McTeigue expresses how the government would initially manipulate the people with how they controlled them, by treating them as lower class and enforcing laws. However, V’s rebellion, starting with blowing up the Old Bailey, caused the government to slowly begin losing control over its people as V conveyed his message and the power slowly shifted as the people

    Read More

  • Comparing The Crucible and Lord Of The Flies

    1075 Words  | 3 Pages

    The successful and what could have been successful societies in both Lord of the Flies and The Crucible eventually decayed and fell apart. There were struggles with good and evil in Salem and on the island that were the result of three main elements. Fear, misuse of power and fanatical religious beliefs were the cause of the two societies failure.

    Read More

  • Comparing One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and The Crucible

    1115 Words  | 3 Pages

    Authority and power and chaos and order are the main discourses that are present in Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Arthur Millar’s The Crucible. Through the context of each novel both authors use different dialogue, plots and situations to get their viewpoint across to the audience. In comparing the two texts with the similarities and differences, it is clear that both authors have had a different effect on the audience of today. It would appear as though both texts are focused around the theme of power and disempowerment, with the authors using different techniques to get their point across to the audience. Both texts will be discussed further through comparing and contrasting and discussing the description of the discourses present in both texts.

    Read More

  • Who Is Abigail Williams Angry In The Crucible

    580 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Salem Witch Trials marks a vulnerable era in history. The play allows us to see that uncontrolled rage, pride, and even religion at times, can lead to destruction and mayhem. With these factors, it’s quite clear to see why Salem was vulnerable to these

    Read More

  • A Comparison of The Crucible and Nazi Germany

    629 Words  | 2 Pages

    Arthur Miller's portrayal of Salem, Massachusetts can be juxtaposed with Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany. While the motivations differ, societal similarities exist and both teach us that when a whole society of people have a fear so great that it can be used against them, the society will try to do anything and everything in their power to prevent this from happening. Even when the means of prevention involves innocent people dieing and the judiciary system becoming corrupt, the society will act upon this fear of wickedness and the devil.

    Read More

  • Human Motives Exposed in The Crucible by Arthur Miller

    1463 Words  | 3 Pages

    Salem citizens in general were afraid of all ungodly things with their Puritan views. They had no trouble believing that, because Parris had called Reverend Hale, (known for his studies in demonic arts), there must truly be witchcraft within the town. The play progresses and certain characters begin to develop: here is a community full of underlying personal grudges. Religion pervades every aspect of life, 'A man may think that God sleeps, but God sees everything, I know it now.'; but it is a religion that lacks the ritual of confession. Here and throughout the play we see how this affects John Proctor, a man so proud of his name that guilt eats at his very heart, as he will not let out his secret pain in a vain attempt to keep his integrity.

    Read More

  • Causes of the Salem Witch Trials

    2019 Words  | 5 Pages

    From the beginning of time there has been conflict between the views of different people and their different groups. Conflict has brought prejudice and fear into communities around the world. As conflict is an inescapable part of any society, it can be expected to extend to the greatest impact possible. The Salem Witch Trials are one such conflict. This conflict caused many to be accused, arrested, and killed. Because of social, economic, religious, and physical problems within the community, Salem Village was present with prejudice and panic causing the Salem Witch Trials.

    Read More

  • Here Are No Newters By Richard Latner Summary

    636 Words  | 2 Pages

    Latner’s purpose of writing the article is to inform the reader of the reason why the events at Salem happened due to religious leaders impact and how their actions held significance. “Examining the bitter disputes that wracked Salem Village and Andover suggests that we should accord religion”(Latner, 2006, 93). Latners goal was to prove that the events of Salem happened not because of

    Read More

  • salem witchcraft trials cause and effect

    586 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1692 the area of Salem town and Salem village became very vulnerable to conflict. Severe weather such as hurricanes had damaged land and crops, the effects of King Phillips War began to impact New England society, and colonists were being forced off of the frontiers by Native peoples. The Church and the government were in heavy conflict. And those residing in Salem began to grow suspicious of one another when some prospered and others hadn’t (Marcus, p13).

    Read More

  • Differences Between The Crucible Book And Movie

    928 Words  | 2 Pages

    Author Arthur Miller, of The Crucible an excellent job of showing the cruelty of the witch trials. The movie based upon The Crucible, is almost an exact replica of the book. When showing many similarities, it also had some vast differences. These differences don't have much of an effect on the actually story. They are added for dramatic effect and to entice the viewer. Although there are many similarities there are some vast differences.

    Read More

  • The Crucible - Comparing Play And Movie

    978 Words  | 2 Pages

    Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, and the movie with the same name have many differences and similarities, all of which contribute to the individual effectiveness of each in conveying their central message.

    Read More

  • Abigail's Reputation In The Crucible

    422 Words  | 1 Pages

    In today's society a person's reputation is more important than a persons integrity because it is how people perceive you. No one should want to want to ruin their reputation. The fact of the matter is that reputation plays a big role in society and it is should be very important to people and they should value it.

    Read More

  • Power in The Crucible by Arthur Miller

    811 Words  | 2 Pages

    Salem is an isolated village in Massachusetts where power is one of the main driving forces that contribute to the dynamics of the community and how people interact with each other. Authority and power is dominant in two main areas- The Church and the Males.

    Read More

  • Explore the Theme of Reputation in 'The Crucible'

    1329 Words  | 3 Pages

    Reputation is the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something. A famous American poet once said: “Oh reputation dearer far than life”. James Russell Lowell highlights the importance of reputation by declaring it more important than even human life itself. This idea is also found in ‘The Crucible’ as many characters will be challenged between telling the truth and dying, or saving their reputation. In ‘The Crucible’, this theme beholds a key position in the unrolling of the story as an impression of control over the outcome of people’s lives is created by its importance.

    Read More

More about Comparing The Crucible 'And Whiplash'

Open Document