I am exploring the question of are we are motivated by fear, human nature, and just how far we will go for our reputations. All three of theses are major themes in the Cucubile by Arthur Miller. And each theme plays a major part in how the Crucible was rounded while also showing a very strong perspective on how the author wanted the reader to perceive the crucible.
The reason I think that we continue to read, study, and perform the Crucible to this day is because it was a major part in history where many innocent people were killed due to fear and false accusations. The Crucible was written about a time period that Arthur Miller acknowledges as a time where fear and reputation totally took over. “fear doesn't travel well; just as it can warp judgment, its absence can diminish memory’s truth. what terrifies one generation is likely to bring only a puzzled
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Many of the characters in the crucible are very worried about how they are seen by others. John Proctor is worried that his reputation in Salem will be ruined because he committed one of the biggest sins adultery with Abigail. Even though John knows that all the girls in Salem are pretending, he still isn't sure if he should confess to what he knows to be the truth. “ john, if it were not Abagail that you must hurt, would you falter now? i think not” (early act 2) On the other hand, Reverend Parris is worried about his reputation as well because Abigail is his niece, and he can't even control her; but yet he is looked to as the authority of the town of Salem and everyone looks at him for direction and guidance. “ I must Call reverend Hale to come to Salem” Parris decides to call in Hale for help and guidance because he has no control over the girls. This shows just how badly people in Salem were willing to go to keep their reputations, making it one of the major themes displayed in the
In the beginning of the play, Parris and his niece Abigail are alone in Betty’s room. He persuades Abigail to confess of dancing in the forest because “[his] ministry [was] at stake”(11). Clearly, Parris is more concerned about his own reputation than anything else. Even though his daughter is laying motionless in bed, all he could think about is his reputation and his name in the town. This shows that people would rather place their well-being on top of others.
Many claims are located in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. From themes of honor to themes of power. And many characters show these themes through the actions they perform and the words they spoke. But there is only one dominant theme, or claim, in The Crucible. Both Parris and Proctor convey the dominant claim that preservation of reputation is extremely important.
“One lie is enough to question all truths” – Anonymous, 8 July, 2013. During your childhood I am sure that you can recall your parents repeatedly telling you to be honest or that lying is wrong. In “The Crucible” Arthur Miller shows that the consequences of lies and deception to prove just how devastating they can be. The play starts off with the girls being caught in the process of preforming witchcraft in the woods, and in attempts to stay out of trouble the lies start.
The loud cackle, green skin, broomstick and pot of potions all bring the thought of witches to mind. In Salem, Massachusetts though, thoughts of witches were found in a different source, the very faces of their own neighbors. It was discovered, that these witches found in Salem may have come through the rising social pressures in the belief of the existents of witches. In “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, he illustrates the social pressures during the Salem witch Trial Era. Miller shows that due to social pressures, Parris, Hale, and Proctor’s actions and choices were influenced; whether to hang and condemn someone, to seek the truth no matter how drastic, or die because you refused to give in.
The Crucible Analytical Essay The Crucible is a story written by Arthur Miller. In the story, many conflicts are apparent, but one that stands out is the one between Elizabeth and Abigail. Elizabeth fired Abigail from their home, and it took her away from John, the man she was having an affair with, that sparked a need for vengeance. Abigail’s conflict is likely the reason everything in this story happened, reason being is she was jealous of Elizabeth for being with John. In act one, the conflict can be seen when John talks to Elizabeth and she claims Elizabeth is “blackening her name in the Village” and is “telling lies” about her (Miller 150).
The Crucible Throughout The crucible, written by Arthur Miller, many people who did not have power but through others suspicions, became the center of addition in the town. The crucible was a series of trials based solely on the vengeance of others resulting in many innocent people being killed. People used the suspicions of others to their benefit and gain of power in order to kill those they dislike. People within the eyes of the law murdered others who were innocent to crimes they did not commit. A witch hunt within the small town of Salem was underway sparking the fire of accusation among one another resulting in the death of many.
In The Crucible, there are many characters concerned about their reputation. Several want to keep a good name and others feel like the truth is more important. However, I know the truth is always more important than a good name. Telling the truth has kept me out of trouble many times even though I didn’t look so good afterwards. When I was in fourth grade, my best friend Emily
In Salem, having a good reputation is extremely important. You are accepted by society, and if you don’t have a good reputation you will be completely rejected. John Proctor would no longer be thought of an honorably straight and moral person. Reverend Parris would lose all of his respect and not be accepted by the citizens. And Judge Danforth would always be questioned and looked bad upon for accusing the innocent.
Analyzing and Explaining Themes in The Crucible In a dramatic work, authors can create thematic ideas through character conflict. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, there were many themes presented that stood out. Of those themes, the most important and recurring theme was the choices that the characters had. Throughout the play, many characters were given the option to tell the truth, maintain their integrity and face the consequences, or to lie so they don’t get in trouble or hurt their reputation.
Individuals vs. Society The Salem Witch Trials, of the strangest accounts of mass hangings in history, were the fault of a few young women. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, John Proctor is forced to make a decision as to whether or not to give up his good name to save this small town. People have to choose between self-interest and that which would benefit the society in which they live. Often, people face some great cause prior to choosing to help the greater society over their own selfish wants.
The Crucible Theme and Conflict The Crucible by Arthur Miller is filled with different themes and conflicts. Throughout the book you could pick up many different themes and conflicts, although I found many just one sticks out to me. If you tell the truth, good may come your way. When proctor is being accused and he confesses but the judge needed it in writing also, which he didn’t do.
Arthur miller greatest stage play The Crucible wrote in 1953. The crucible was wrote as a metaphor to the mccarthy trials . Mr. Miller described the book witchcraft trials which is a whole different time period but, this book was trying to represent that the time of the mccarthyism, and how everyone was being accused and harassed for being a commie. In fact Mr. Miller himself was accused for being a commie. In his stage play he made similar connection, like how he had the characters all be accused of witchcraft and even anyone who talk or looked like one was accused , many of the them where innocent people.
A crucible is known as a very severe situation, or a trial. In the play, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, the people of Salem experienced a crucible when they went through the witch trials. The trials became so severe that innocent people were dying in ways such as hanging or having boulders placed on them. The Crucible got its name from the trials, the impact it had on society, and other after effects of the trial.
The Crucible Essay The theme of hysteria is evident throughout Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and in everyday life and society. Driven by self-preservation, hysteria influences many characters’ actions and leads to the devastating witch trials in Salem. For instance, many characters in The Crucible are driven to execute drastic actions to sustain their reputation and protect themselves.
Repression is the action of subduing someone or something by force. Often times, the act of repressing one is used as a defense mechanism. Every form of repression sparks a rebellion. In the Crucible, the citizens are socially repressed due to them practicing the puritan faith.