...In Arthur Millers play, The Crucible, many themes are displayed through his writing. One of the main themes in his piece is the idea of conformity. There are so many situations that people conform in, some of which include; trying to fit in, not knowing what is the right thing to do, and often time people conform due to fear. Fear is something that can cause you to make both good and bad decisions. In The Crucible, fear is one of the main reasons for conformity, there are many reasons for why this happens and all of those are explained in the play. While depending on the situation while conform, or choose not to conform, based on the conditions they are in. In some situations we will often accuse others of actions they did not do in order...
Words: 761 - Pages: 4
...establishes the foundations of The Crucible: courage, truth , and weakness which are represented by many characters throughout the play. Elizabeth Proctor, one of the plays most important characters, resembles truth like no other in the play. The part where she reveals her honesty and character is when she is called in front of the court to testify against Abigail Williams for comiting adultery with her husband. In this moment, she lies to protect her husband. Here she is honest to her husband and to her marriage. She is honest and tries to the bigger person in times of trial which is something we can all admire her for. John Proctor, like his wife, has not only superior morals and character, but more courage than the average man. Proctor shows us multiple times that he is more than willing to stand up for...
Words: 522 - Pages: 3
...Jealousy and Greediness in The Crucible Have you ever been involved in an action that led to a tragic consequence because of someone’s jealousy or greediness? The quote by Victor Hugo stated, “Society is a republic. When an individual tries to lift themselves above others, they are dragged down by masses, either by ridicule or slander.” This means he strongly believes that when someone tries to act better than other people they feel like the need to put others down by making fun of them. Therefore it can led into bad consequences. In the book, The Crucible by Arthur Miller shows this by the character named Abigail who tried bringing down everybody because of her jealousy, Putman who showed greediness with land, and also in my experience this has happened to a close friend of mine whom was very selfish. The Crucible also can relate to the real world. We’ve at least witnessed a person's flaws on human nature that went wrong at the end. A old friend of mine seemed to have jealousy of a girl that happened to be taken by a guy...
Words: 867 - Pages: 4
...The Crucible by Arthur Miller Form and Structure In The Crucible all the events flow smoothly from one act to the next. Everything happens naturally from the natures of the characters. The fact that the story isn't contrived, and even more that it is based on a true story is interesting. The result is a very believable play. Throughout each act the action rises to a crescendo and comes to a dramatic climax at the end, and thus ensuring the audience or reader of the play is gripped by the story throughout the whole play. The incident begins with the girls dancing in the forest and soon escalates into a huge witch hunt. There is sufficient conflict to keep the reader or audience member's interest aroused. There is a great deal of of tension and suspense in the story. It essentially covers basic human instincts and qualities. It depicts the human necessity for survival, and the lengths at which a person will go to save his life, and also the treacherous nature of many. There is also the idea of honor and truth. Proctor tries to keep his reputation but gives it up to reveal the truth. Through his struggle he achieves righteousness. All these things keep the plot moving. Proctor's relationship with Elizabeth can be seen to grow and mature. He continually grows more pure in Elizabeth's sight until she is able to forgive him in act four. Proctor character also attains a kind of moral supermeminence - He does not want to get involved in the court proceedings...
Words: 943 - Pages: 4
...As of human nature, people do certain actions based on pressure or motivations. For instance, a person might go to the gym and workout with the motivation of losing weight or gaining muscles. In the novel The Crucible, each character had different motivations to do specific actions. The characters had dissimilar motivates to falsely accuse others of witchcraft. For example: Abigail Williams, who is a huge part of the novel, her motivations were: staying out of trouble and taking Elizabeth Proctor place. While, Thomas Putnam was motivated to accuse others of witchcraft, because of his greediness and selfishness. Lastly, Mary Warren accused others with the motivations of fear from Abigail. Abigail is a young lady who lies to benefit herself. She decides to accuse others to prevent being hanged. She throws others people lives in danger just to save her life. It was mentioned in the novel the fact it is better to confess and name others than denying. Abigail simply accused others as if she would not, she will be killed. She started to accuse others so she will not be hanged. Therefore, after she confessed to working with the devil, she is seen as a helping device that God sent to the court members and the town people to be able to identify all the witches and wizards in the town. Plainly, she wants to stay out of problems....
Words: 598 - Pages: 3
...Nevertheless, the segregation of people by race, religious affiliation, ethnicity, sexuality, and occupation are still problems people face on a daily basis. Philosopher and novelist George Santayana understands this reoccurring problem better than anyone. He states, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” True to this statement, hundreds of years before The American Civil War and World War II were the Salem Witch Trials where people were segregated simply on suspicion of witchcraft. Two eye-opening, fictional retellings of this tragedy are The Crucible...
Words: 911 - Pages: 4
...evidence of this in The Merchant of Venice and The Crucible, when their characters step away from their morals and carry out wrongful actions. Although the underlying reason for the characters’ social demises is similar, the motives for their actions are specific and personal. By carrying out actions fueled by revenge, both Abigail...
Words: 1306 - Pages: 6
...from literature to actual historical events. It takes strong character to uphold the ideals of personal integrity; to stand up against all things that are not morally right, regardless of the consequences. Most people simply break under the pressure to lead a life that is safe, however immoral. These people choose to take the easy road out. They choose to ignore what is morally right in an attempt to fit in with the crowd. They do what is easy, not what is right. However, some people have that strong character which allows them to go against the masses and pursue moral truth and justice always. This describes the theme of personal integrity: a theme which is present in the play The Crucible, historical events such as the McCarthyism era, and religion. In the Salem witch trials of the play The Crucible, the theme of personal integrity plays a huge role. Many townspeople are falsely accused of trafficking with the devil. If they admit to this horrific crime, their lives will be spared. However, if they refuse to admit to the lie, therefore displaying personal integrity, they will instead be sentenced to death. This is clearly a difficult decision to make, with the only options being to lie and live or to tell the truth and...
Words: 892 - Pages: 4
...If the modern American judicial system sent people presenting a defense in a case to jail for contempt against the court, it would be a wholly corrupt and unconstitutional scurrility. If the same courts were to judge the accused based upon the laws of the Christian Bible, it would violate, so blatantly, the first amendment of the American Constitution, and there would surely be some sort of uprising, or even an insurrection, among the people of the nation. But, 400 years ago, in the prerevolutionary English colonies of North America, especially in the area of New England, theocratic law and highly prejudiced courts were affluent. In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, Miller uses despicable characters, such as Danforth, to send ethical messages to...
Words: 987 - Pages: 4
...questioned by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) as part of a series of trials remarkably similar to the witch trials portrayed in his play The Crucible, written two years previously. Just over forty years later, with HUAC long out of power, The Crucible became a film with a budget of $25 million, produced by the well-known Twentieth-Century Fox Film Corporation (IMDb). The perseverance of this story is a testament to its intriguing portrayal of power struggle during the Salem witch trials that applies to many situations even today. The movie version of the play alters the text and storyline; in particular, the scene in which Tituba is accused and confesses was changed in several ways in order to focus on the details of the witch trials that made them so effective....
Words: 733 - Pages: 3
...Conjurer and communist are two very different words with two very different meanings. So what do they have in common? The similarities lie in the fact that in some point in American history having any relation or connotation with either of the words would lead to social and political oppression. Fear is what drives human nature. The primal instinct of fearing the unknown has kept us ,as a species, alive for thousands of years, but in a community it can also lead to unprecedented persecution. In the 1940s, all across America the people were fearful of the spread of communism, and for good reason. Afterall in a Communist system, individual people do not own land, factories, or machinery. Instead, the government or the whole community owns these...
Words: 502 - Pages: 3
...As of human nature, people do certain actions based on pressure or motivations. For instance, a person might go to the gym and workout with the motivation of losing weight or gaining muscles. In the novel The Crucible, each character had different motivations to do specific actions. The characters had dissimilar motivates to falsely accuse others of witchcraft. For example: Abigail Williams who is a huge part of the novel, her motivations were: staying out of trouble and taking Elizabeth Proctor place. While, Thomas Putnam was motivated to accuse others of witchcraft, because of his greediness and selfishness. Lastly, Mary Warren accused others with the motivations of fear from Abigail. Abigail who is fair to name as the evilness...
Words: 359 - Pages: 2
...Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” is a fictional account of the real life Salem witch trials, but the play has far deeper meanings than just a dramatic interpretation of the event. While it does provide an entertaining experience at face value, the true literary genius behind the work is Miller’s insight on human nature and the depravity of man. He uses the story of the witch trials to touch on hypocrisy, tendency to turn to revenge, and human weakness. Firstly, the theme of hypocrisy is found amongst the town of Salem as a whole, especially those who support the witch trials. They are supposed to have strong Christian values, yet they are extremely vindictive. More specifically, Mary Warren says that she is doing the Lord’s work, when in fact she is contributing to the deaths of people who know and love God. “I must tell you, sir, I will be gone every day now. I am amazed you do not see what weighty work we do,” (56) she says in act II. Another example is the hypocrisy within the Salem court system. Judge Danforth claims that his court reveals all truth when he says, “We burn a hot fire here:...
Words: 531 - Pages: 3
...Women, throughout history, have been demonized and demeaned, devalued and defaced, defiled and denounced. They are often the antagonist of our myths, tales, and fables. They are the antithesis of the masculine; sinful and volatile, opposed to the heroic and virtuous man. Centuries of art, literature, thought, and religious doctrine have painted women as temptresses and wicked witches. The female characters in Arthur Miller’s 1953 drama, The Crucible, reflect these ‘evil’ women of myth and legend. The patriarchal, austere society of the Puritan town of Salem during the witch trials demonstrates the societal effect of centuries of female vilification. Powerful women have historically been branded as witches or accused of evil deeds as a way to...
Words: 1907 - Pages: 8
...Fear can influence decisions and corrupt ones morality. The fear of death, judgment and isolation all have the capability to make good people do bad things. Arthur Miller portrays this phenomenon in his book The Crucible. In The Crucible there are distinct examples of fear debilitating ones ability to make the right decision. Mary Warrens fear of death resulted in many deaths. John Proctor’s fear of judgment kept him from revealing the truth. Lastly, the fear of the unknown, in the mind of the townspeople, set off a series of devastating events that transpired throughout the book. Furthermore, fear darkened their conscience, and as a result, self preservation became prioritized above all else. Mary Warren, naturally a honest women, wanted to confess to the dancing and conjuring spirits in the woods. However, Abigail disagreed and threatened to kill her and, consequently, fear overtook Mary until she was Abigail’s slave, or rather, a slave to fear (Miller, pg.19). Mary knew the truth, the truth that could have saved lives, but withheld it. She lied and became dishonest, for the reason that she was afraid of being hung as a witch herself. Therefore, she accused John Proctor, an upstanding man, and in doing so, she put him to death (Miller, pg.118). She was terrified of death, and Abigail made that horror something real that she couldn't overcome. So in turn, she took the pressure off herself and took a mans life to preserve her own. Abigail was a dishonest and deceitful...
Words: 1253 - Pages: 6
