ipl-logo

Examples Of Determinism In The Crucible

1046 Words5 Pages

How does Arthur Miller use contrasting images in The Crucible to explore ideas related to the conflict between free will and determinism? The conflict between free will and determinism is a universal and recurring theme in society. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller explores this theme using symbols of individual desire and social responsibility, and different characters to represent the theme. In doing so, the author symbolises religion and witchcraft to compare the puritanical society of The Crucible with the McCarthy Era. Subsequently, Miller communicates the universal idea that everyone has free will, regardless of the type of society they live in. This is foundational for the communication of the author’s other ideas, which express that determinism …show more content…

Miller uses the symbol of individual desire and the symbol of social responsibility to illustrate his ideas about the theme in the play. One way this is shown, is through the actions of characters in relation to the contrast of their individual desire from social responsibilities, which govern their society. For instance, Miller uses the character Goody Putnam who disregarded her social responsibilities and willingly sent her daughter to “conjure up the dead”, committing a “formidable sin” in doing so. Consequently, in dialogue the character openly expressed that “[she takes] it on [her] soul, but who else may surely [tell] what person murdered [her] babies?” (Pg. 23). Hence, Miller shows that her actions were guided by free will, even in the deterministic setting …show more content…

The symbols are used to explore the demonization of characters, and even inanimate objects, which do not comply with the societal stereotypes of the deterministic and authoritarian setting. Such demonization and fear of the “other” is prevalent in modern society with respect to conflict regarding equality. Miller displays this when he uses prose to describe the forest as “the last place on Earth that was not paying homage to God” (Pg. 15), and again when he uses dialogue of Parris to comment that “abominations are done in the forest” (Pg. 19). Thus, Miller demonizes the forest as many people have demonized difference throughout history, in this context owing to the inability of Christians to convert the Indians. Therefore, highlighting the extent to which difference was feared in the play. Furthermore, the author then uses the actions of Proctor to highlight the extent to which free will conflicts with determinism, when the character chooses to die, rather than accuse others and “blacken all of them when [his confession] is nailed to the church the very day they hang for silence” (Pg. 124). Thus, Miller showed that a balance should exist between free will and determinism, and that everyone has free will, regardless of the type of society they reside

Show More
Related

  • Examples Of Motivations In The Crucible

    612 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, the characters' motivations seem to be corrupt. Taking a persons life away or saving it, is what motivation can do. The people of Salem tend to use it for there own personal gain instead of helping others. This can be traced back to Thomas Putnam's greed, Mary Warren's fear and Abigail William's lust to falsely accuse there neighbors of witchcraft.

    Read More

  • The Crucible Multi Modal Speech Analysis

    807 Words  | 4 Pages

    Multimodal Speech Analysis Power has influenced society throughout time and is acquired through knowledge, a patriarchal society, monarchy, a family name, birth right, reputation or placement within social hierarchy. This has been revealed in various ways through texts such as The Crucible. A good name or reputation can influence, empower and determine how much respect a family or person gets from others. The Crucible was written by Arthur Miller and was set in the Massachusetts town of Salem in 1692. Salem was a theocratic and patriarchal society.

    Read More

  • Conformity In The Crucible

    626 Words  | 3 Pages

    Human is a species that live in group, and conformity is one of the distinct characteristic of human nature. In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller investigates various natures in community throughout Act 1 and 2. The play took place at Salem, a town that primarily based on puritanism, the major plot of this play is about witchcraft and witch hunt. Miller conveys a essential message of people always search for conformity from society as a form to prove their identity, further, any rebellion would consider as outcast from majority. The author explores the theme by the use of conflict, this literary element best demonstrates changes of characterizations and complication between others and internal struggle.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Hale's Transformation In The Crucible

    962 Words  | 4 Pages

    Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, presents a theme that demonstrates how characters change throughout the storyline. The dramatic changes of the characters show how people in late 1600’s managed to get through the accusations of witchcraft and moreover how the accusers and or condemners were able to handle the chaotic event. Miller’s play helps one understand what the Salem Witch Trials did to people’s emotions and mentalities. People demanded one to be hung or burned if the person sinned unless they confessed, turned back around to God, and blamed others for their sin. In The Crucible, with Hale’s transformation Miller is emphasizing that humanity will always seek redemption, the truth will triumph the lies, and people will constantly try

    Read More

  • What Are The Selfish Issues In The Crucible

    91 Words  | 1 Pages

    In The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, the various issues in Puritan society serve as reasoning and justification for their heinous acts against the innocent. Some of these issues include the establishment of a theocratic government, in which a religious group is in power. Similarly is the ideology of predestination, in which God has already chosen who to save and who to damn. These two, combined with a plethora of other cracks in their system, contribute vastly to how Reverend Parris and Abigail Williams carry out their unrelentingly selfish agendas.

    Read More

  • Inhumane In The Crucible

    674 Words  | 3 Pages

    Society has always perpetuated a firm distinction between that perceived as “good” and that of “evil.” Human nature, however, does not function in terms of absolutes such as these. As a way to attempt reconciliation between these seemingly paradoxical statements, art and literature have developed into mediums which have made the study of morality accessible. Because of this direct connection, Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible can be seen as an exploration into the human psyche. Within the drama, Miller succeeds in juxtaposing the role of the “saint” with that of the “sinner,” thus returning to the basic, human debate between righteousness and corruption. While many, if not all, of the characters display some level of this conflict, the

    Read More

  • Authority In The Crucible

    2099 Words  | 9 Pages

    As for Hale, in the beginning of the play authority for him is absolute and just whatever it does it is the right thing, but as the events unfold, he comes to understand that just because the court has the upper hand does not necessarily mean that it does the right thing. That is why he recants the procedures of the trails and condemns them (Bly 68). " I denounce these proceedings, I quit the court " ( III .iii. 120). To Danforth when it comes to authority, it is sacred , so accordingly, he is very strict to see it well served.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Paradox In The Crucible

    677 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most communities in the world today believe that excluding harmful thoughts, ideas, actions, and sometimes people are ultimately the best course of action for uniting their group. An example is the exclusion of same-sex marriage in most states, but especially in the Catholic Church. By excluding same-sex marriage, the Catholic Church community unites with a feeling of purity towards their religious community. In the play, The Crucible, Arthur Miller presents the audience with a paradox that was exemplified through the Salem witchcraft trials. The paradox “Unity through Exclusion” means that a community will become closer together through the exclusion or exile of harmful people.

    Read More

  • The Crucible: Theme Of Hysteria In Everyday Life And Society

    481 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Act 2 Scene 2 In The Crucible

    865 Words  | 4 Pages

    As supported by psychology, it takes more than a single interaction for one to draw a conclusion on the true characteristic of another. For, if one only used that one moment to judge the characteristics of another, then he or she would most likely misjudge how that person truly is. Instead, it is crucial to use a multitude of instances with another to piece together their true intentions and moral values. In The Crucible, a tragedy, by Arthur Miller, scene 2.2 should be included in the play because it adds to the development of character.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of The Crucible By Arthur Miller

    586 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Crucible is a piece of literature that can be attributed to a few other situations in history, not simply just the Salem Witch Trials. People throughout history have turned on each other in fear, and have use irrational thinking to justify what they have done. Though the story portrays the Witch Trials, it is able to connect with other events in history due to how the themes can connect with the reader and resonate with how people can feel under certain stress at these moments. Arthur Miller writes in the way that the story can live on in other situations to make points on how we treat each other during these times, the rhetorical appeals he uses becoming important as to why this story is still important to our history in more than one event. As spoken before, The Crucible is set in a certain time period, but advances its meaning into other aspects of history; written in the 50’s, it can be traced back to a connection with McCarthyism, the story an allegory for this period.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Integrity In The Crucible

    1112 Words  | 5 Pages

    As Bob Marley once said, “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” Integrity is the quality of being honest and upholding one’s morals and principles. Living in a fast-paced and ever-changing society, human beings have come into contact with adversity and hardship all throughout history. Those who act with integrity during tough times have a major influence on those around them, and taking a stand and upholding ones’ beliefs and morals at great self sacrifice can inspire and encourage others to do the same. Arthur Miller’s 1953 play, The Crucible is a prime example of upholding integrity, and the characters within the play face difficult choices between doing

    Read More

  • Social Pressure In The Crucible

    578 Words  | 3 Pages

    What lesson is this trying to teach? Arthur Miller is trying to teach us that there is going to be immense negative pressure from our peers/society and that we should persevere through that pressure like Proctor did. In The Crucible and in the Salem witch trials many people gave in to the pressure and conformed; few brave people stood their ground and did the right thing. In his time he had the same experiences. People had great pressures put upon them to find the commies and or confess you were a communist.

    Read More

  • John Proctor's Confession In The Crucible

    730 Words  | 3 Pages

    (Miller, 42) Elizabeth: “I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you.” (Miller, 45) His death for what was right gave a sense of reaffirmation between them and allowed for Proctor to prove himself to

    Read More

  • Salem The Devil Character Analysis

    1069 Words  | 5 Pages

    Power, the ability to maintain control, command, or authority over others can often be determined by one’s reputation and his or her persuasiveness. This principle is displayed within The Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller, in which follows the town of Salem, Massachusetts attempting to navigate through a “Witchcraft” outbreak supposedly lead by the Devil. Within such a theocratic society such as Salem, the Devil is often associated with death, fear, and uncertainty. While his name alone is often believed to be able to influence others in to following through in certain actions. The Devil, as a key figure behind the immense “witchcraft” occurring in Salem, is crafted by Miller as the most influential “character” due to his infamous reputation and his ability to control characters’ actions.

    Read More

More about Examples Of Determinism In The Crucible

Open Document