The Role Of Power In The Crucible

Coming to the conclusion that Betty and Ruth have both been placed into a trance by the “Devil” and are disconnected with the outside world. Being the Devil’s first physical action against people, an immense amount of terror is manufactured. .This sickness then transforms into the first idea that the Devil is able “control” others, ultimately aiding his authority and command over the townsfolk. As well, in order to discover the truth, Parris and Putnam threaten Tituba with death. After listening to such violent repercussions, Tituba admits that she “don 't desire to work for him”(44) though implying contact between the Devil and herself.

Reverend Parris is convincing Judge Danforth, that John Proctor is trying to dismantle the court, but John is only there to save the lives of those on trial. Marlow wrote, “Parris is evident in the stage directions where we first see Parris encounter his niece and are directly informed that she is glamorous and a compulsive liar” (1). Marlow is saying how Reverend Parris knows Abigail is a compulsive liar, but he believes her anyway. This 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.

Putnam claims that “There is a murdering witch among us, bound to keep herself in the dark. Let your enemies make of it what they will, you cannot blink it more” (16). Putnam is yet another powerful male figure in Salem Betty has taken a grip over in the town. He, in this quote, truly believes that the devil is among the town of Salem based on Betty’s current condition. Reverend Hale, encouraging Tituba to give more names of witches, tells her to look at Betty’s “god- given innocence; her soul is so tender; we must protect her; Tituba; the Devil is out and preying on her like a beast upon the flesh of a pure lamb.

The men of the town have all the power and their rule is reinforced not only by law, but also by the supposed sanction of God. In this society, the lower rungs of the social ladder are unmarried youths like Abigail. Powerless in daily life, Abigail finds a sudden source of control in her alleged possession by the devil and the hysterical denunciation of her fellow townsfolk. The Puritans believe that the Devil is working to tempt human beings away from God. All references to witchcraft are connected with fear, suspicion and the collapse of normal social values.

He falls to the false accusations of the girls and begins to believe them. It could also be Danforth's fear of witches that causes him to act so blindly. Danforth may be so scared of the devil that he does not act rationally when accusations of witchcraft are made because he takes the accusation with the utmost concern. Because of this Abigail takes advantage of his incompetence. This is displayed when Abigail fools him after screaming.

They can either follow God or the Devil’s wishes; it is entirely their choice. However, The Crucible takes place in Salem where they use this religion to force control on the society. Those who are holy are with the government and those who are unholy are against the government. The governing bodies of Salem took the free will away from the community. They must be holy or else they will pay for their sin.

Although the townspeople of Salem used religion as the reason for the witch hunt, the witch hunt created chaos because people started using it a revenge mechanism. Much of what happens in Salem still resembles some things we see in society today. The word of one man can change people’s ideas and images of another without conclusive evidence. What people fear the most can sometimes bind us together, even if it is not

People tend to be judged by how others perceive them to be, rather than how they actually are. This statement is shown in the play, Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. One example from the play in which this type of unfair judgement is displayed is when the news of Henry Drummond being the defense attorney for Bert Cates was announced. “Henry Drummond, the agnostic… A vicious, godless man… Henry Drummond is an agent of darkness. We won’t let him in the town… God didn’t make him, that he is a creature of the Devil, perhaps even the Devil himself.” (27-28).

In both stories Nathaniel Hawthorne offers a portrait of how he views puritan society by setting each story in a small Puritan village, and in “Young Goodman Brown” he shows his true contempt by setting the story about villagers conspiring with the devil in Salem, his childhood home. He portrays the villagers in each story as gossiping, in “The Minister's Black Veil” and as followers of Satan in “Young Goodman Brown”. These stories would not have the same impact or offer the in-depth look at Hawthorne they do if the stories were set elsewhere. The stories would then simply be an indictment of people in general without the added effect of Hawthorne’s personal disdain for the Puritans way of

The belief in supernatural beings and occurrences are responsible for mass hysteria, social disruption, and devastating people’s reputations. The Crucible tells the tale of a Puritan village blinded by hysteria that goes on a witchhunt because of superstition and fear. Although many people denounce the existence of the supernatural, nearly all societies are defined and distinguished by their beliefs in the supernatural through religion and culture. In the drama, The Crucible, Arthur Miller uses the ignorance of Dr.Griggs, Mrs. Putnam, and Reverend Parris to prove the human mind suggests odd occurrences beyond human comprehension are caused by the supernatural. The most highly regarded members of Salem often stipulate odd occurrences and the

In The Crucible Thomas Putnam’s main motivations are greed and selfishness. He shows this throughout the book, by accusing people of witchcraft. Thomas Putnam’s brother in law was prevented from being elected the office of minister. “Thomas Putnam felt that his own name and honor of his family had been smirched by the village, and he meant to right matters however he could” (Miller1221). To right his name and honor from being smirched he accused many

While he himself is a Puritan, he would want to strive for helping others instead of just helping himself. He was asked to bring witches to trial lawfully and with proof, but alas he just profited from the many accusations of his. In the truth the irony of this whole situation is that during these events the holy Puritans threw their beliefs out the metaphorical window. And in doing so turned their civilized village to and savage society. Option B With several judges coming to salem to commence the trials of the few soon to be the many.

This, along with his sparse church attendance, gives enough reason to kick him out of the puritan town and label him a sinner, best to be avoided. Later, John Proctor confesses his sin to the court. Proctor is trying to expose Abby and the girls as frauds; however, his intention failed when the court called in Goody Proctor. They asked her if her husband was a lecher, and she lied and told the judges he was not (1311). It was the

In the play Abigail Williams, and Thomas Putnam’s take advantage of the pervasive fear in the village, allowing them to fulfill their selfish and exploitative motives which are what truly fuel the Salem Witch Trials. To begin with, Abigail Williams starts the accusations of witchcraft in order to fulfill her ulterior motives. We first see hints of her motives when Abigail tells John Proctor, a married man under whom she had worked that, “I am waiting’ for you every night”(1099). While Abigail worked under John and Elizabeth Proctor, she had developed feelings for John. Elizabeth removes her which angers Abigail deeply.

was a punishment for sinful behavior. In Salem the Devil was as real as God. The people also believed Satan (the devil) would