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The crucible literary essay on witch hunt trails
The crucible literary essay on witch hunt trails
The crucible literary essay on witch hunt trails
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The Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller in 1953, is a story partially fictionalized and dramatized, that portrays the witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. Miller was inspired to write this play when the congressional committee was questioning him about his activities with the American Communist Party. The play is an allegory of the time when mass hysteria caused no one to be safe; it petitions for freedom and tolerance. When there is frenzy, in this case witchcraft, people act upon an impulse to deviate from what is moral, jump from evidence to conclusions, and fall under others’ influence. In the play, Mary Warren is John and Elizabeth Proctor’s maidservant who becomes one of the accusers during …show more content…
Throughout the play, Mary Warren develops her confidence and wisdom, but is ultimately given in to pressure followed by a decline in her morality. First, Mary’s morality changes from wanting to do what is ethnically correct to be sinfully condemning. For example, Mary wants to clear the confusion because she understands that the consequence of witchcraft was the death penalty. Apart from the other girls that danced in the woods, Mary only participated as a witness and understands that her knowledge of the truth could prevent the town from thinking it was witchcraft. She enters the play breathlessly warning the girls upon hearing that the word is out and the whole town is talking about witchcraft. In a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to clear the news, she pleads to the ringleader, Abigail Williams, “Abby, we’ve got to tell. Witchery’s a hangin’ error, a hangin’ like they done in Boston two year ago! We must tell the truth, Abby” (Miller 143)! In addition, Mary develops a guilty conscience as she witnesses the witch trials falsely convicting townspeople, whom she knows are all innocent. She becomes an official of the court and sews a fair poppet for Elizabeth during the court proceedings. As she hands the doll to Elizabeth, she …show more content…
For example, she becomes defiant when John forbids her from going back to Salem because he believes she should not be involved with the court since they will be hanging those arrested. She declares to John, “I would have you speak civilly to me, from this out” (Miller 165). Now that she feels important and useful for something other than to clean a house, she confronts John with morale and this newfound demand for respect. In addition, Mary’s confidence leads her to believe in her own lies. Even though she knows that Abigail’s story about witchcraft is fictional, she confesses in court that Sarah Good casted curses on her. Indignant with Elizabeth’s unbelief in her story, she states with confidence in her lie, “She tried to kill me many times, Goody Proctor” (Miller 164)! With her high esteem, she is able to experience the power of looking down on people, now that she is no longer amongst the common, but an official of the
She even claims that John should know her better than to expect such a thing from her. Elizabeth often believes that she has not been a good enough wife to John and that she does not deserve his love, or any love. She confesses, “I counted myself so plain, so poorly made, no honest love could come to me!” (137). Her confession displays humbleness, an admirable trait in any Puritan. All of the young girls in The Crucible exemplify conformity by submitting to Abigail Williams. As the leader of these young girls, Abigail persuaded them to do whatever she said, including accusing people of witchcraft. These accusations led to the deaths of many men and women. Mary Warren is a victim of Abigail’s peer pressure. She eventually admits that everything she claimed was a lie that Abigail made her tell. She explains these lies by saying, “It were only sport in the beginning, sir, but then the whole world cried spirits, spirits” (107). This confession is her way of saying that they never meant for one small lie to turn into something so huge. Later, Mary agrees to testify against Abigail in court, but, in yet another
In order to avoid charges, Abigail deflects the blame onto Tituba, the family servant, by saying that she forced her to drink blood. After realizing that the town might hang her for her crimes, Tituba confesses to witchcraft and accuses the low-class women of Salem, hoping that it might lighten her punishment. The town quickly breaks into hysteria as Mary is pulled into the center of the drama and the authorities ask her to testify against the accused. Realizing that her life is still under threat of Abigail if she doesn't do what Abigail asks of her, Mary lies on stand, ensuring her safety, as well as the death of two innocent women. Overwhelmed with culpability, Mary attempts to justify her
When faced with all the false accusations, she also exhibited grace, good judgment, and dignified behavior. Her case involves a love triangle between her, Abigail Williams and John Proctor. I couldn't imagine being in her shoes where you are forced to face both your internal dilemma of whether to forgive your husband and an external one. The jealousy and wickedness of a young girl who used to be Elizabeth’s husband’s mistress is the main reason why she is accused and charged. Abigail Williams childishly refuses to accept the truth when she was rejected by John Proctor. She plotted against his wife, Elizabeth, in a desperate attempt to take her husband and also, her place in the society as a mistress of a prospering home. Elizabeth Proctor bravely replies, “I cannot think the Devil may own a woman's soul, Mr. Hale, when she keeps an upright way as I have. I am a good woman, I know it; and if you believe I may do only good work in the world, and yet be secretly bound to Satan, then I must tell you I do not believe it.” when questioned by Reverend Hale. Furthermore, she exhibits a much greater strength and courage than her husband, despite her gentle and meek appearance. Elizabeth is the one who is not afraid to speak her mind openly and plainly and is not afraid to stand up to the judges. At one point she inspired her husband to act in a similar way when she openly challenged the doctrine. Elizabeth was the
For example, as a result of the lie Sarah is put in the position by the court that she may either confess to the crime and save herself or not confess and get hung. The act also affects the town of Salem because the girls notice how much influence they have over the court and begin to accuse of witchcraft anyone they do not like. Although Mary Warren does contribute to the hanging of many people, but when Proctor begs to her to go to the court with him and confess to save Elizabeth, she gets a chance to redeem herself. She tells the court that the whole witchery situation was just the girls pretending. Mary says, “I cannot charge murder on Abigail” and adds, “[s]he’ll kill me for sayin’ that!”
The Crucible by Arthur Miller The Crucible is a fictional retelling of events in American history surrounding the Salem witch trials of the seventeenth century, yet is as much a product of the time in which Arthur Miller wrote it, the early 1950s, as it is description of Puritan society. At that particular time in the 1950s, when Arthur Miller wrote the play the American Senator McCarthy who chaired the ‘House Un-American Activities Committee’ was very conscious of communism and feared its influence in America. It stopped authors’ writings being published in fear of them being socialist sympathisers. Miller was fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials and that human beings were capable of such madness. In the 1950s the audience would have seen the play as a parallel between the McCarthy trials and the Salem Trials.
Her relationship with John Proctor and her animosity to Goody Proctor also interest is as they are reasons why Elizabeth Proctor was accused as a witch and later the death of John. Abigail loved John but John only lusted because of strains in his marriage. When Elizabeth expelled Abigail, John gave up. This is shown when Abigail asked John."Give me a word,John. A soft word." John replies,"I will cut of my hand before I'll ever reach for you again." Abigail cannot have John, this caused bitterness and hatred towards Elizabeth. She says," She is blackening my name in the village! She is telling lies about me, She is a cold, snivelling woman..."
Many characters in The Crucible fall under the trap of lying, if not to other people, then to themselves. The Crucible is a fictional retelling of events in history, surrounding the Salem witch trials. It takes place in Salem, Massachusetts during 1692 and 1693. Additionally, Miller wrote the play as an allegory to mccarthyism, which is the practice of making accusations without evidence. In the play, Arthur Miller develops the theme of lies and deceit by showing Abigail lying for her own benefit, John Proctor committing adultery, and Elizabeth lying to protect her husband.
Abigail mastered a plan thought that painted Mary as a witch. First, Abigail looked at Mary and testified “a wind, a cold wind has come.”(108) Mercy Lewis then joined Abigail saying “ Mary,do you send this shadow on me?”(109). After the girls continue to frame Mary, Danforth states,” You will confess yourself or yourself or you will hang”(117). Then,she says after more torment from the girls “ You're the devil's man”(118). Her finger is pointing at John Proctor. She changed her testimony and ultimately convicted John and did not speak to save Elizabeth. Rather, Mary lied in order to save herself.
Mary Warren is in court admitting to the lies she tells earlier in the play, but is very unsure of herself. Furthermore the judge makes it worse by repeatedly asking “ Has he ever threatened you?” (Miller 101) after he hears her unsurety. Upon entering the court Abigail notices the weak state Mary is in. Taking advantage of this Abigail begins to pretend that Mary is performing witchcraft in the courtroom. Abigail begins to see a “bird” being controlled by Mary, yelling “ Oh, please, Mary!” Don’t come down.” (Miller 115). Just as Abigail did to Tituba she notices the effect her performance is having and continues the onslaught “Mary, please don’t hurt me!” (Miller 115) which sways the court more. This convinces the judge, Danforth, that he is witnessing witchcraft and he pleads “Mary Warren! Draw back your spirit out of them!” (Miller 116) to try and stop the madness. While this is going on Mary Warren keeps on attempting to defend herself, “They’re sporting!... Stop it!!” (Miller 116) but to no avail. Becoming overwhelmed by the situation Mary falters just as Tituba did and joins Abigail. This leads to Abigail being able to continue her lying and remain in control without opposition.
The Salem Witch Trials occurred from 1692-1693.Witch trials were not uncommon in Puritan society;therefore it was not unusual for it too have occurred. The only unusual aspect was the frenzy and large number of accused.The mass hysteria of this event was to be matched in the nation once more during the Red Scare of the Cold War period, and prompted Arthur Miller to write a play about it. Thus, The Crucible was born. In the play several characters contribute to the worsening situation in Salem. One of these characters whom carries the blame of the trials is surely Mary Warren.
Mary Warren started out in a manner reminiscent to that of Peter Pettigrew from the famous “Harry Potter,” series; she was a timid follower of a popular group, and admired the bravery and kindness she lacked. After Mary and her so-called ‘friends’ are found dancing naked around a fire in their conservative town, they know they will likely be accused of a crime that could punish them with death; witchcraft. Mary’s friend Abigail, tells the girls to stick to their story that they were dancing in the woods and threatens to kill the girls if they reveal the truth; that Abigail was practicing witchcraft and drank blood in order to take the life of the wife of a man she had had an affair with; Elizabeth Proctor, the boss and friend of Mary Warren.
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.
Mary realizes that what Abigail is doing is wrong and she’s the only one who can put a stop to it. Abigail’s frustration grew as Mary announced to the court that, “She [Abigail] sees nothin’!” (121) and tried to accuse her of murder. Abigail saw Mary’s confidence building up as Mary kept denying using witchcraft after she repeatedly accused Abby of it. Transition here Abigail screaming at the “bird” on the ceiling because she thought it was Mary, Mary supposedly sent to attack her as Danforth asks Mary, “Have you compacted with the Devil? Have you?”(121) and Mary replies with, “Never, Never” (121). Mary Warren knows that if she does not admit to using witchcraft she could be hung, but she knows she must put an end to Abby’s manipulation. Earlier in the novel, Mary was too intimidated by Abigail and would never have had the courage to accuse Abby of lying about the events in the woods. To successfully accuse Abby, Mary had to admit that, “I never saw no spirits” (112) which put her own life in danger as well. Until accusing Abby of witchcraft and murder in the court with John Proctor, Mary Warren had no confidence in herself and did what everyone else wanted her to do. At the end of the play, Mary made decisions for herself and wasn’t afraid to go against what everyone else was doing.
The Crucible is a famous play written by Arthur Miller in the Early 1950’s. It was written during the “Red scare, when McCarthyism was established. Many anti-communists wanted to prevent communism from spreading just like in The Crucible many wanted to get rid of witchcraft. Many would accuse others of witchcraft in order to not be accused just like many would accuse people of communism. In The Crucible witchcraft would be punishable by death. Many were scared to be accused; therefore many would admit practicing witchcraft in order to save their lives. The Crucible is considered a good play because it is based on real life events during the Salem witch Trials and shows how fear played a role in the individual’s life just like during the “Red” scare.