It is a somewhat fictional play about the Salem Witch Trials. The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. Judge Danforth a well respected man in the society that has the supreme rule over the court. In today's society no one want to hear about something they fear, they would rather it be left alone than try to understand it. She was seen as a grandmother to the village. Johns concern for his reputation is strong throughout the play, and his hesitation to reveal Abigails true nature is a product of his own fears of being labeled an adulterer. Lying- Explain why the girls are more willing to lie . In reality, true irony only happens when a situation is the exact opposite of what you would expect. The play, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller demonstrates the implications of a society in complete chaos over an irrational fear of witchcraft in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. It's atoxic strategy that causes panic to spread quickly and fear for ones life to take the place of rationality. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie. As mentioned in the overview, religion holds significant power over the people of Salem. 61). Hale tries to combat his guilt by persuading the prisoners to confess, refusing to accept that the damage has already been done. Jennifer has taught high school English for eight years and has a master's degree in curriculum and assessment. No one will listen to Tituba until she agrees to confirm the version of events that the people in traditional positions of authority have already decided is true, a pattern which continues throughout the play. Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. Miller explains this further: ''long-held hatreds of neighbors could now be openly expressed, and vengeance taken, despite the Bible's charitable injunctions.'' In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller repeatedly portrays that duplicity and deceit are a natural part of human lives. 6). The evolution of his character is due to vairous . Its easy for more respectable citizens to accept that shes in league with the Devil because she is an "other" in Salem, just like Tituba. Rebecca Nurse is a pure soul, who always took care of other people's children. Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. This shows us how one person who starts. In this play, the author illustrates the central idea that people should not allow jealousy to control their actions. 12) The first act of The Crucibleclearly establishes the fact that a bad reputation can damage a persons position in this society severely and irreparably. references the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. Because, the people of Salem will find out about the affair, this would weaken his reputation. It is used to draw away from a person's counterargument through addressing something unrelated. The fact that he forgets only this commandment shows that he is trying extremely hard to repress his guilt. Each new false confession is thrown onto the pile of evidence of a grand Satanic plot, and as the pile grows larger, the hysteria surrounding it is fed generously. In reality, he is constantly judging himself, and this leads to outbursts of anger against others who remind him of what he did (he already feels guilty enough!). The Crucible provides an example of how convenient lies can build on one another to create a universally accepted truth even in the absence of any real evidence. He's already accepted her testimony as evidence, so he is happy for any excuse to believe her over John and Mary.John finally comes to the realization that Mary's truthful testimony cannot compete with the hysteria that has taken hold of the court. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. Tituba attempts to tell the truth about Abigail when she says, You beg me to conjure! Compare and contrast three authority figures in this drama: Hale, Danforth, and Parris. Danforth, who has the most authority, is also the most sold on her act, and it only takes a few screams to persuade him that hes in the presence of witchcraft. Here's another example of a potential essay question for The Crucible that's less explicit in its request for you to discuss themes of the play: "Most of the main characters in the play have personal flaws and either contribute to or end up in tragedy. Fear that spread among a group of people in Salem during the Salem Witch Trials, that event in history is a prime example of Mass Hysteria. Is reputation more important than truth? How to use hypocrisy in a sentence. In one of the most well-known quotes in the play, John Proctor angrily insists that the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom (pg. Her jealousy of Elizabeth Proctors position as Johns wife has led her to attempted murder, first by the charm in the woods and now by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft. The idea that a witch's familiar spirit is capable of stabbing people is too scary for the superstitious and now hysterical people of Salem to give Elizabeth the benefit of the doubt. A professor tells us that he has a strict rule about cell phones in the classroom, then he answers it midway through his own lecture. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. One path to higher standing and greater control would be in becoming John Proctors wife. The power of mass hysteria is further revealed when Mary is unable to faint outside of a charged courtroom environment. At the end this act, John Proctor delivers a short monologue anticipating the imminent loss of the disguises of propriety worn by himself and other members of the Salem community. If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. By examining the characters of the play, I believe that the three major characters who should be blamed the most for the witch trials are Abigail Williams. She attended church regularly and was the embodiment of how a Puritan woman should behave. The Crucible presents a view of women that essentially reduces them to caricatures of human beings that are defined by their roles as mothers, wives, and servants to men. Innocent and guilty people have been put to death underneath his Judgement, to him this demonstrates his superiority and power. John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. Always include specific details, including direct quotes, to support your argument about how the theme is expressed in the play. No one even considers Mary's statement about sticking the needle in herself. She is clearly outspoken and dominant, but her initial position in society is one of very little influence and authority. One single example is ; Corporate and political greed and desire for power is the reason for most of the suffering as claimed by many. As Abigail begins to be accused she is pressured to deter from the truth. Just like generosity, honesty and kindness are natural in people with those tendencies. At first, Mary is being honest by admitting that Elizabeth . He claims that they must not jump to conclusions based on superstition in their investigation of Bettys affliction. Being in contact with someone else means mediating between ourselves and the other. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, we have Rebecca Nurse. Through this statement he clearly demonstrates his belief that lying will send a person to Hell. The play, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller demonstrates the implications of a society in complete chaos over an irrational fear of witchcraft in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. John Proctor sabotages his own reputation in Act 3 after realizing it's the only way he can discredit Abigail. It is not just, (Miller 129). This mob mentality leads to unthoughtful acts and false accusations. The judges cannot force her to commit herself to a lie, and her martyrdom severely damages their legitimacy and favor amongst the townspeople. In telling people they must confess to their crimes or be hanged, the officials show that they have already decided the person is guilty no matter what evidence is provided in their defense. He chooses to die instead of providing a false confession because he doesnt think life will be worth living after he is so disgraced. Proctors good reputation is almost a burden for him at this point because he knows that he doesnt deserve it. This attitude comes from a man who has shown no remorse for condemning people to death throughout the play. This is irony of the same type that I discussed in the overview of this theme. The town suspected her of lewd dealings, so she was put to death for it. John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. In this act, she yells Dont lie! at Tituba immediately before she tells some of the most damning lies of the play accusing Tituba of witchcraft (She comes to me while I sleep; shes always making me dream corruptions! pg. The most substantial female character is Abigail, who is portrayed as a devious and highly sexualized young woman. Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. 119). The Crucible is a play written by American author, Arthur Miller, in 1953. Hales involvement is taken to mean that there must be a supernatural element to Bettys illness. The ruthlessness with which the suspected witches are treated is aimed at purifying Salem, but it achieves the opposite outcome. He has sentenced people to death based on lies about their dealings in black magic, and he has accepted other false confessions from those who would rather lie than be executed. But these themes aren't always easy to explain or dissect in the context of the play, and they can be even harder to develop into essays. He appears to have no governing system of morality. They say not to use superstition when dealing with the Devil, who is in fact a superstition used to cover up the sinful dealings of the people. The hypocrisy in this statement is almost funny. Parris is hypocritical because he is not a . For example, proctor waits till the very last minute to reveal Abigail is lying. Though actions are often motivated by fear and desires for power and revenge, they are also propped up by underlying worries about how a loss of reputation will negatively affect characters' lives. The human lust and want for power has been and is the base of each and every witch-hunt. While touting his holy credentials, he claims that he dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of my conscience may doubt it (pg. Other essay questions may not ask you directly about the themes listed in this article, but that doesn't mean that the themes are irrelevant to your writing. Danforth is the governor of Massachusetts who thinks of himself as a fair man. Read on for an overview of what a theme is, a list of important themes in The Crucible with specific act-by-act details, and a summary of how to use this information in your essays and other assignments. Proctors strengths consist of, honesty and pride. The people who preside over the trials are corrupt. He believes that Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now. The power of collective hysteria ultimately becomes insurmountable because it grows larger than the influence of the few rational voices in the community. The play loosely follows the tale of Salem and how the trials came to pass. He questions Abigail aggressively because hes worried his enemies will learn the full story of what happened in the woods first and use it to discredit him. Why is hypocrisy so common in repressive communities like Salem? Shes not a traditionally accepted target like the others (except in her susceptibility as a woman to the misogyny that runs rampant in the play). Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is set in Salem in a Puritan community. Themes tell us what the purpose of the work is. He is completely oblivious to the fact that the victims might be lying. First off, what is irony? Though Rebecca Nurse's involvement has already been corroborated by other confessors, Danforth demands to hear it from John to confirm that John is fully committed to renouncing his supposed ties to Satan. This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. The prisoners have lost all faith in earthly authority figures and look towards the judgment of God. Hypocrisy: A Human Flaw In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller repeatedly portrays that duplicity and deceit are a natural part of human lives. As much as I loved Bernie Sanders, he made millions of dollars while preaching for democratic. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. How is the arrest of Rebecca Nurse a sign that the hysteria in Salem has gotten out of control? Hypocrisy is shown between the characters: Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and Hale. makes them feel the best about themselves. He chooses to die instead of providing a false confession because he doesnt think life will be worth living after he is so disgraced. In her conversation with John, Abigail claims that he helped her realize all the lies she was told by two-faced people in Salem who only publicly adhere to the conventions of respectable society (pg. The classic example of an incorrect use of irony is in Alanis Morisette's song "Ironic" when she says that "rain on your wedding day" is an example of irony. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. Giles got arrested for contempt. Parris begs Danforth to postpone their hangings because he fears for his life if the executions proceed as planned. Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. In telling people they must confess to their crimes or be hanged, the officials show that they have already decided the person is guilty no matter what evidence is provided in their defense. Danforth, who has the most authority, is also the most sold on her act, and it only takes a few screams to persuade him that hes in the presence of witchcraft. These people are the only ones who refuse to throw out false accusations or lie about involvement in witchcraft, so they find themselves condemned (this is the fate of Rebecca Nurse). 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If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. John finally comes to the realization that Mary's truthful testimony cannot compete with the hysteria that has taken hold of the court. As this hysteria begins to rise, other people such as Thomas Putnam, a rich landowner, start to also allege Salem villagers. The dark, witchcraft-filled production follows a series of deaf characters who are narrated in English, rather than the other way around. Proctor changes from a normal citizen and sinner to a tragic hero with a high sense of morality. Danforth also becomes frustrated with Proctor when he wont name names in his confession: Mr. Danforth is convinced that there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country! and anyone who doubts the decisions of the court is potentially involved. The girls are essentially given permission by authority figures to continue their act because they are made to feel special and important for their participation. The evidence used in the Salem Witch Trials further demonstrates the hypocrisy in the Puritan times. Is there any character besides John Proctor that represents the voice of common sense amidst the madness? The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, is a story where many people had been accused of witchcraft and a lot of innocent victims faced a difficult decision. The Devil is really a superstition hiding the townspeople, who are ''precise'' in their accusations because they want land from others. "She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris's house tonight, and without word nor warnin' she falls to the floor. These two institutions fuse together in The Crucible to actively encourage accusers and discourage rational explanations of events. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. People were put to death because their neighbors suspected them of committing a crime, but murder is a sin in the Puritan religion. It is part of our carnal nature to hold others to a higher standard than our own. And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." He has sentenced people to death based on lies about their dealings in black magic, and he has accepted other false confessions from those who would rather lie than be executed. Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. Many people confess when threatened with execution, and this only heightens the paranoid atmosphere. Elizabeth doesnt realize that John is willing to sacrifice his reputation to save her life. These types of statements made by Hale earlier in the play become even more ironic in Act 4 when he realizes he made a horrible mistake by trusting the evidence that was presented to him. To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. I'll give a short summary of how each plays a role in the events of The Crucible. flashcard sets. She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. In Act 1 he jumped on board with the hysteria to preserve his power, but he ended up losing what little authority he had in the first place (and, according to Miller's afterward, was voted out of office soon after the end of the play). Parris is extremely dismayed by this revelation because of the damage it will do to his reputation. Elizabeth's side of the story is disregarded because Abigails testimony is far more dramatic. Thomas Putnam tells him to Wait for no one to charge you - declare it yourself.. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (pg. The play takes place in the city of Salem, a city filled with people that would do anything to keep their reputation clean. While it does provide an entertaining experience at face value, the true literary genius behind the work is Miller's . Being a hypocrite is one of the worst things you can be called youre someone who criticizes others and yet does the same sin yourself. 73), meaning the girls are testing out the extent of the chaos they can create with their newfound power. Elizabeth is a victim of cruel irony in this Act when she is summoned to testify on the reasons why she dismissed Abigail from her household. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. A Comprehensive Guide. Posted at 02:28h in motion to dismiss child support arrears by how does shakespeare present lady macbeth as ambitious. An error occurred trying to load this video. The main pillars of traditional power are represented by the law and the church. In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. Elizabeth is a victim of cruel irony in this Act when she is summoned to testify on the reasons why she dismissed Abigail from her household. However, this runs up against Danforths desire to preserve his reputation as a strong judge. 129). What Are The Human Flaws In The Crucible 1560 Words | 7 Pages. A 17-year-old girl named Abigail Williams had an affair with John Proctor, a wealthy, married man. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. When he starts to realize he continues to avoid people from getting mad at him for putting innocent people in jail and killing them. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? In Act 3, Abigails power in the courthouse is on display. This well-intentioned mistake seals both of their fates. Greed is a sin in the Puritan religion, so the people who supported the accusations were indeed hypocrites. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the setting is Salem, Massachusetts during the late 1600s where the towns pious Puritan beliefs directly influence their government. There are two examples of Ad hominem from The Crucible in Act 2 and Act 3. He refers to Johns refusal to confess as a calamity, looking past his own involvement in the larger calamity of the conviction that led John to this point. We saw that Arthur Miller used the Puritans in The Crucible to explore the themes, or main ideas of a text, in order to make the statement that society can be hypocritical and that we should question intentions. He wrote the play as an allegory of McCarthyism, when the US government discriminated communists. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. Flaws in Human Reasoning Create a Tragic Figure One tragedy is a result of numerous conflicts and wrongdoings. The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. He. Abigails many deceptions are sometimes laughably ironic as she chastises others for lying even as she is spinning falsehoods. The book is about witchcraft or what the town thinks is witchcraft. When Hale asks him to recite his commandments, the only one he forgets is adultery. 123). Miller himself was blacklisted for refusing to testify in front of the HUAC, a committee that was created to investigate any person who might be a communist. I chose . Human flaws such as lust for power, greed and jealousy explain the errors many tragic figures from books make, from Mr Kurtz to Lord Voldemort. As he says, How may I live without my name? The meaning of HYPOCRISY is a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not : behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel; especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion. This lie essentially condemns both of them. Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her articles. Reverend Hale enters as a specialist from Boston who has seen the effects that witchcraft has had on others. How is Parris fate in act 4 ironic when considering his role in the events of the play? Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. What is the writer attempting to convey to the viewer? succeed. Danforth explains his inability to free the accused people because, twelve are already hanged for the same crime. No one considers that the accusers are lying, partially because theyre seen as innocent children and partially because many witches confess to avoid the death penalty. Tituba, the slave of Reverend Parris, is the first to admit to dancing with the devil. This website helped me pass! This causes problems down the line as Parris allows his paranoia about losing his position to translate into enthusiasm for the witch hunt. As he says,How may I live without my name? She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. Though the play is fictional, the characters are named after real people who lived in Salem during that time. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. Many of us in today's society do not believe in this; however, the Puritans really did believe that people could be vessels for the Devil. Many people are under the impression that irony is just when something happens that you don't expect (or that you really hoped wouldn't happen). Why does John decide to ruin his reputation in Act 3 by confessing to the affair? Hypocrisy In Salem And The Crucible Proctor knows that unlike most of the other people who have gotten hanged, his is not completely innocent. In fact, we've all seen hypocrisy in our daily lives. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play about the Salem witch trials. Abigail also shows concern for her reputation. Combining this notion with the one he declared earlier displays the hypocritical nature of Danforth when put in this hysterical. How does the central tragic character change throughout the play, and how does this relate to the play's title? The only power they have left is in refusing to confess and preserving their integrity. The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. John feels incredibly ashamed of his affair with Abigail, so he tries to bury it and pretend it never happened. In this act, we learn more details about the accused that paint a clearer picture of the influence of reputation and social standing on the patterns of accusations. Hypocrisy: A Human Flaw As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 Fear plays an immense role in the way people make their decisions, such as when the characters of Danforth and Mary Warren . He is somewhat responsible for all of the witch trials; if he wouldn't of committed adultery with Abigail, she wouldn't have gone on her rampage of blaming people. Hale pg. She is clearly outspoken and dominant, but her initial position in society is one of very little influence and authority. He is weak and vulnerable after Abigail's theft of his life's savings, and hes even facing death threats from the townspeople as a result of John and Rebecca's imminent executions. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in. Miller fills us in on much of the history in breaks in the play where he offers commentary in his own voice. The court's attempts to preserve Puritan morality by arresting and executing accused witches ironically lead to the removal of the most virtuous people from society.