Pressure In The Crucible
The dictionary defines a crucible as a place or occasion of severe tests or trials. During the late seventeenth century, many places around the world began to have an increased fear of the supernatural. Witch trials sparked by these fears brought great pressure upon all involved. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the people of Salem were placed under a lot of pressure as the witch trials were occurring. With pressure mounting, three men from the story each struggled in a different manner; Parris becoming fearful and cowardly, Hale undergoing a change in character, and Proctor taking a stand for what he believed to be right. Through the entire story, Reverend Parris is under a great deal of pressure and does not deal with it well. From the beginning …show more content…
Whilst trying to prove Abigail and the other girls were pretending, John confesses, “I have known her [Abigail], sir” (3.110). The fact that he is willing to confess such a heavy sin for this purpose is a huge deal. He willingly, albeit reluctantly, soils his name and reputation to bring the truth to light. In the end, Proctor refuses to give a false confession that would condemn the others who were falsely accused. He decided what he felt was right and refused to stray from it. His decision, along with those of others who did the same, eventually brought the chaos and hysteria to an end. John Proctor held firmly to what he believed was right, even in the face of great pressure. The pressure of the Salem witch trials elicited various responses from three of the characters in The Crucible; Parris fell victim to fear, Hale took on an entirely different worldview, and Proctor established himself as one who would stand for the truth. The ways these men reacted show us that pressure does not affect everyone in the same way. Some emerge stronger because of it, while others are destroyed. Arthur Miller has shown the readers a lot about the variances in human nature through The
Click here to unlock this and over one million essays
Show MoreThe Crucible Quotes
607 Words | 3 PagesThe quote above shows how during the witch trials, it was close to impossible to give proof of someone being a witch. That you could not show the court hard evidence of the “supernatural occurrences” of the devil’s doing to support your side of the story in court. Which relates to the definition of the word “crucible” by showing that there were severe trials going on in the play which relates to the meaning of the title. To help better explain how the title relates to the play, the text includes trials which characters are put through to prove their innocence of not signing their name to the devil.
Examples Of Abigail Williams In The Crucible
696 Words | 3 PagesA crucible is a difficult test or challenge; it can also be described as a place or situation that forces people to make a difficult decision. “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller shows many different situations where people are tested. Each test reveals someone's true nature, some were brave and courageous, while others were cowards and selfish. Rebecca Nurse and Abigail Williams were both tested, and something different was revealed about each of them. Rebecca Nurse was tested throughout the book, and it was shown that she is strong and stands for what she believes in.
John Proctor Honest Analysis
566 Words | 3 PagesIn the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor was accused of witchcraft. John Proctor was a man of great integrity and knew he did nothing wrong. He was given the choice to confess and lie or be hung. Being the honest and stubborn man that he was, he decided his name was more important than his life. John struggled both internally and with others while trying to fight for what he thought was right.
The Crucible Assignment
1948 Words | 8 PagesHow does Parris feel about his parishioners? Miller characterizes Parris as someone who is selfish and worries too much about his reputation. Parris is always anxious and worries about everything. He took so long to build
John Proctor's Reputation In The Crucible
1487 Words | 6 PagesThis demonstrates how distraught Parris has become due to the constant fear he experiences from losing the town’s interest in his preaching. Fearful of losing his followers, Parris denies hard facts and abandons his daughter to keep himself from losing any more traction in the town. In The Crucible, well respected individuals show how simple it is for someone to take his eyes off God in fear of losing his reputation. One respected member in Salem is John Proctor.
Three People Who To Blame In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
543 Words | 3 PagesAbigail decided to start a sexual relationship with John Proctor. This led to heartbreak, compulsive lying, sneaking around, and legal trouble because she was under age at the time the affair was going on. Once John realized what he was doing was wrong, he decided to confess his sins to the court. John states, “I’ll plead my honesty no more.” This shows he thinks it’s best to confess.
Life Or Death: Did John Proctor Make The Right Decision?
1158 Words | 5 PagesJohn Proctor here is reinstating that he wants to continue if he has his name and if Danforth and the court cannot provide that to him he does not know how he could possibly go on. Based on the quote John’s quality of life would eventually prove to be dreary if he did confess as he would feel like he no longer had a soul. Although John knew it would be a risk for him to confess his wife helped convince him that life was worth living, but it’s his own choice. Elizabeth sorrowfully states to John “Do what you will. But let none be your judge.
How Did The Salem Witch Trials Affect The Community
286 Words | 2 PagesDuring The Crucible, the Witch Trials caused many court hearings. A good deal of the court hearings consisted of people over exaggerating outbursts of demons inside of them just to get somebody convicted. The Witch Trails also affected the church in many ways. Reverend Parris’ already had a wicked reputation as their minister, and the trials made it even worse. People wanted him out of the church.
Social Pressure In The Crucible
578 Words | 3 PagesWe all know peer pressure can make you do things, But Arthur Miller’s The Crucible shows us the extremes of social pressure and how it can make us do things we would never have thought of doing. One of the major themes in The Crucible is that popular belief causes you to act and operate differently than you would normally. Some examples of this is Mary’s behavior, the girls fainting, and Proctors struggle to not confess. One of the main examples of someone giving in to social pressure is when Mary Warren decides to convict Proctor and say he is working with the devil.
What Is John Proctor's Reputation In The Crucible
1159 Words | 5 PagesIn The Crucible, a drama by Arthur Miller, John Proctor demonstrates courage by speaking out for what he believes in while knowing his consequences, admitting his wrong doings with Abigail to save Elizabeth’s life, and choosing to be hanged over having his name posted on the church door because the second his signed confession is posted, his and his loved ones reputations will be ruined. In the beginning of the play all John Proctor cared about was his reputation. However, ultimately he sacrificed his reputation by telling the court he committed adultery. John telling the court he was guilty ruined his reputation, which made all hell break loose.
Integrity In The Crucible
818 Words | 4 PagesParris is dynamic like John, but for the majority of the story he sacrifices his integrity like his niece Abigail. Not is it until the end of the story Reverend Parris realizes what he has done was wrong. " Go to him! He rushes out the door, as though to hold back his fate. Proctor!
Pride And Honor In The Crucible
794 Words | 4 PagesHe refused to attend weekly Church meetings because he believed that Rev. Parris was an unsuitable puritan minister. Proctor knew that the puritans were supposed to be abstemious, yet “[Parris] preached nothin’ but golden candlesticks”(page 65). Afterwards, by claiming, “I nailed the roof upon the church, I hung the door,” Proctor proved his piety by implying that building a Church is an honorable deed. Clearly, Proctor managed to show both pride and honor simultaneously, illustrating the distinct characteristics of each in separate events. However, when conflicts arose, he had to choose between the
Salem Witch Trials In The Crucible
1580 Words | 7 PagesThe Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play about what happened during the Salem Witch Trials. It gives insight about what people had to deal with in this situation and how they handled it. The trials were basically a big test which helped figuring out whether or not people were guilty of witchcraft. This is an example of what a crucible is. In our world today we still have crucibles and even though they are different than back then, they all relate to each other because of what influence they have on people.
Theme Of Manipulation In The Crucible
831 Words | 4 PagesThis causes a problem because Reverend Parris then spreads the lies. When Reverend Parris realizes he is spreading lies, he keeps it to himself to protect him from his enemies. Abbotson wrote, “By fixating so much on sin, the religious extremists, represented by men like Parris and Danforth, become sinful and turned from God” (1). Abbotson is saying how Reverend Parris has turned his back on God and is a sinner. Reverend Parris is brought to believe cruel and deceitful lies by his niece,
John Proctor Conflict In The Crucible
302 Words | 2 PagesIn The Crucible, the protagonist John Proctor was. In the town of Salem, in 1692, a group of young ladies by the names of Betty Williams, Abigail Williams and Tituba were found dancing in the forest naked by Reverend Parris, Abigail’s’ uncle. Reverend Parris assumed that they were participating in witchcraft. This idea of witchcraft spread through the city of Salem and the citizens began accusing each other of being witches. This started a series of court cases known as the Salem Witch Trials.
More about Pressure In The Crucible
The Crucible Quotes
607 Words | 3 PagesExamples Of Abigail Williams In The Crucible
696 Words | 3 PagesJohn Proctor Honest Analysis
566 Words | 3 PagesThe Crucible Assignment
1948 Words | 8 PagesJohn Proctor's Reputation In The Crucible
1487 Words | 6 PagesThree People Who To Blame In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
543 Words | 3 PagesLife Or Death: Did John Proctor Make The Right Decision?
1158 Words | 5 PagesHow Did The Salem Witch Trials Affect The Community
286 Words | 2 PagesSocial Pressure In The Crucible
578 Words | 3 PagesWhat Is John Proctor's Reputation In The Crucible
1159 Words | 5 PagesIntegrity In The Crucible
818 Words | 4 PagesPride And Honor In The Crucible
794 Words | 4 PagesSalem Witch Trials In The Crucible
1580 Words | 7 PagesTheme Of Manipulation In The Crucible
831 Words | 4 PagesJohn Proctor Conflict In The Crucible
302 Words | 2 Pages