Here are some discussion questions to consider after reading about the thematic role of the concepts of power and authority in the events of the play: Mary Warren when she comes back from Salem in Act 2. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. The court refuses to challenge anyone who claims to have been afflicted. Hypocrisy is "the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform". Why doesnt John immediately tell the court that he knows Abigail is faking? Both flaws led him to delay telling the truth about Abigail's fraudulent claims and their previous relationship, thus dooming himself and many others to death or imprisonment. She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. Hypocrisy: A Human Flaw In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller repeatedly portrays that duplicity and deceit are a natural part of human lives. How does Parris pride prevent him from doing anything to stop the progression of events in the play? Why is Cheever both astonished and afraid when he finds the poppet with the needle in it? 67). John tells the judge to summon Elizabeth to back him up because he knows she always tells the truth. Hypocrisy: A Human Flaw Miller wrote it as an allegory to the Red Scare, the promotion of fear of a potential rise of communism. How is Millers underlying message revealed in one of these themes and through the character?". Abigail accuses Tituba first because Tituba is the one person below her on the ladder of power, so she makes an easy scapegoat. Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. There are several ironies in Act 1 that center around Abigail Williams. South Plantation High School, one of the only schools to offer a program for the deaf, cast tradition aside to create a rendition of The Crucible that is truly one of a kind. "She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris's house tonight, and without word nor warnin' she falls to the floor. It is not just, (Miller 129). Believer, Baltimore City IEP Chair, and 2:39 marathon runner. In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. I'll give a short summary of how each plays a role in the events of The Crucible. These attributes are seen in both character, John Proctor from Arthur Millers play, The Crucible, set in Salem in the early seventeenth century and in Atticus Finch from Harper Lees novel, To Kill a Mockingbird set in New York in 1950. In reality. Many of us in today's society do not believe in this; however, the Puritans really did believe that people could be vessels for the Devil. The desire to preserve and gain power pervadesThe Crucible as the witch trials lead to dramatic changes in which characters hold the greatest control over the course of events. Hale pg. How do you think Arthur Miller wishes the audience to respond - eNotes Most Important Themes in The Crucible, Analyzed - PrepScholar People in power continue to believe the accusers out of fear for their own safety, taking the hysteria to a point where no one is above condemnation. The Devil has returned putting children under his control is what many people believed in Salem village in 1962. Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!" The idea that a witch's familiar spirit is capable of stabbing people is too scary for the superstitious and now hysterical people of Salem to give Elizabeth the benefit of the doubt. 123). Explore examples of hypocrisy in the play, including the hypocrisy in land disputes, sin, and the characters of Rebecca Nurse, Reverend Hale, and the children. Fear plays an immense role in the way people make their decisions, such as when the characters of Danforth and Mary Warren resort to hypocrisy when no other options remain. Is hypocrisy a natural human flaw? - Opinions and Principles In steadfastly refusing to confess, Rebecca Nurse holds onto a great deal of power. The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. People are quick to believe something even if there is no evidence for their fear. She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. Can a work of art bring about change in the world? These types of statements made by Hale earlier in the play become even more ironic in Act 4 when he realizes he made a horrible mistake by trusting the evidence that was presented to him. The main display of Abby's hypocrisy is her incessant accusations of the accused as being unholy, God-damned and doing the Devils work. . No one considers that the accusers are lying, partially because theyre seen as innocent children and partially because many witches confess to avoid the death penalty. Hypocrisy in The Crucible by Emily Walker - Prezi In the next few sections,I'll take a look at a group of broad themes inThe Crucible, including irony, hysteria, reputation, and power. It is part of our carnal nature to hold others to a higher standard than our own. How are characters behaviors affected by concern for their reputations? This is irony of the same type that I discussed in the overview of this theme. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. What Are John Proctor's Flaws In The Crucible - 799 Words | Cram Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. When the petition testifying to the good character of the accused women is presented, the reaction from Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris is to arrest the people who signed it rather than considering that this might indicate that the women are innocent. A character named Abigail lived with proctor and his wife and his two sons. The court's attempts to preserve Puritan morality by arresting and executing accused witches ironically lead to the removal of the most virtuous people from society. Proctor's wife, Elizabeth, is accused of being a witch and Proctor has to make a moral decision . Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in. Thomas Putnam claims to be a holy, church-going man, yet his priority in life is to acquire land. As mentioned in the overview, religion holds significant power over the people of Salem. The Crucible - 534 Words | Studymode 44) but realizes that her word against Abigail will not stand. For example, Bridget Bishop dressed in red, a color that was abhorrent in the Puritan eyes. How do outside forces contribute to the character's flaws and eventual downfall?". In her conversation with John, Abigail claims that he helped her realize all the lies she was told by two-faced people in Salem who only publicly adhere to the conventions of respectable society (pg. Examples Of Weak In The Crucible - 444 Words | Internet Public Library Human flaws such as lust for power, greed and jealousy explain the errors many tragic figures from books make, from Mr Kurtz to Lord Voldemort. Ironically, he is the first to demand a confession from Tituba based on Abigail's dramatic but false testimony. By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. Act 4 is Danforths turn to shine in the irony department. This is irony of the same type that I discussed in the overview of this theme. What motivates their attitudes and responses toward the witch trials? Sure, you don't expect or want rain, but it's not the polar opposite of getting married. This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. Johns concern for his reputation is strong throughout the play, and his hesitation to reveal Abigails true nature is a product of his own fears of being labeled an adulterer. Proctor changes from a normal citizen and sinner to a tragic hero with a high sense of morality. The court refuses to challenge anyone who claims to have been afflicted. Miller fills us in on much of the history in breaks in the play where he offers commentary in his own voice. Danforths image is extremely valuable to him, and he refuses to allow Parris concerns to disrupt his belief in the validity of his decisions. No one even considers Mary's statement about sticking the needle in herself. The importance placed on reputation helps perpetuate hysteria because it leads to inaction, inflexibility, and, in many cases, active sabotage of the reputations of others for selfish purposes. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. The thematic significance of hysteria builds quickly as accusations of witchcraft proliferate throughout Salem. Deception is a major driving force inThe Crucible. Parris is hypocritical because he is not a . He is known for making the right decisions and never going against them. The Crucible remains a staple of high school English because it is rich in themes that are consistently relevant to human beings regardless of time period. The people in charge are so eager to hold onto their power that if anyone disagrees with them in the way the trials are conducted, it is taken as a personal affront and challenge to their authority. Most Important Themes in The Crucible, Analyzed. The irony is that, in the face of Johns rejection, Abigail turns around and creates her own lies soon after that give her increased control over the society she resents. | 2 This is interesting because the children are the ones that the rest of the village relies upon to condemn people to death. In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. 121). When the petition testifying to the good character of the accused women is presented, the reaction from Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris is to arrest the people who signed it rather than considering that this might indicate that the women are innocent. Of course, we know that Danforth has been trading peoples lives for lies this whole time. 118). Explain who you believe is the central tragic character in the play. Many people confess when threatened with execution, and this only heightens the paranoid atmosphere. Combining this notion with the one he declared earlier displays the hypocritical nature of Danforth when put in this hysterical. This lie essentially condemns both of them. In addition to grubbing for a few extra pounds every year, Parris makes a show out of needing golden candlesticks for the altar to replace the pewter ones that have served the church since it was built. Hales involvement is taken to mean that there must be a supernatural element to Bettys illness. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. -Hypocrisy is the state of falsely claiming to possess virtuous characteristics that one lacks. He is appalled by Elizabeths lack of emotion when he asks her to help the court get a confession out of her husband (pg. Through Abigail Williams, Miller was trying to state the injustice in Salem because she targeted the innocent people, leading to their death. Tituba, the slave of Reverend Parris, is the first to admit to dancing with the devil. Take a look at this article for details on the history and thematic parallels behind this connection. Hale tries to combat his guilt by persuading the prisoners to confess, refusing to accept that the damage has already been done. It can be hard for the deaf and hard of hearing to become engaged in theater. The meaning of HYPOCRISY is a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not : behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel; especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion. In reality, true irony only happens when a situation is the exact opposite of what you would expect. What the people of Salem have seen as demonic possessions of the girls is nothing more than an act of deception. An example of hypocrisy is when Mary defends Elizabeth in court, but then gives her a poppet which lands Elizabeth in jail for owning a tool of witchcraft. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. Is hypocrisy a natural state of the human mind? - Quora Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. Parris begs Danforth to postpone their hangings because he fears for his life if the executions proceed as planned. Essay prompts will ask about these themes in a variety of different ways. Though the Puritans believed that children were not to be taken seriously, they are later convinced by the court officials that the children are the authorities on witchcraft. Danforth, who has the most authority, is also the most sold on her act, and it only takes a few screams to persuade him that hes in the presence of witchcraft. This is taken as evidence that things are really getting out of control ("if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing's left to stop the whole green world from burning." But these themes aren't always easy to explain or dissect in the context of the play, and they can be even harder to develop into essays. In The Crucible, they all fear witchcraft, because there is a rumor going around. The irony is that, in the face of Johns rejection, Abigail turns around and creates her own lies soon after that give her increased control over the society she resents. In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller repeatedly portrays that duplicity and deceit are a natural part of human lives. This mob mentality leads to unthoughtful acts and false accusations. This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. I chose . These two institutions fuse together in The Crucible to actively encourage accusers and discourage rational explanations of events. Posted at 02:28h in motion to dismiss child support arrears by how does shakespeare present lady macbeth as ambitious. The fact that he forgets only this commandment shows that he is trying extremely hard to repress his guilt. Parris begs Danforth to postpone their hangings because he fears for his life if the executions proceed as planned. Why wont Danforth hear his evidence? He is completely oblivious to the fact that the victims might be lying. The ruthlessness with which the suspected witches are treated is aimed at purifying Salem, but it achieves the opposite outcome. Some will be very direct. Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. As John gives his confession, Danforth says to Rebecca Nurse Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. This is ironic because, Once the accusations begin, Parris initiates an ironic thought process that persists throughout. 71). People who were accused of witchcraft are wrongfully indicted, and those transgressions must be justified. Abigails many deceptions are sometimes laughably ironic as she chastises others for lying even as she is spinning falsehoods. Parris is extremely dismayed by this revelation because of the damage it will do to his reputation. It is a somewhat fictional play about the Salem Witch Trials. The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. How to use hypocrisy in a sentence. The accused people of Salem are all innocent and have nothing to do with neither witchcraft nor convening with the devil. 91). She continues to act under the assumption that his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, and she does not reveal the affair. An example would be something like: "How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Examples Of Flaws In The Crucible - 598 Words | Bartleby Reverend Parris is in a position of power as the town's spiritual leader, but he is insecure about his authority. Danforth is the governor of Massachusetts who thinks of himself as a fair man. The main point that the story revolves around is that people would rather lie and blame someone else instead of confessing and accepting the punishment. Elizabeth is a victim of cruel irony in this Act when she is summoned to testify on the reasons why she dismissed Abigail from her household. "(3-84), since Danforth is in power for being the judge he thinks that everyone else is ignorant and not being equal as him. This is especially true with the reputation and hysteria themes. references the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. Lust and pride were John Proctors tragic flaws, lust is of course, one out of the seven sins. As John gives his confession, Danforth says to Rebecca Nurse Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. 118). It's here that we see the hypocrisy of the situation. In Act 3, Abigails power in the courthouse is on display. This attitude comes from a man who has shown no remorse for condemning people to death throughout the play. Here are a few discussion questions to consider after you've read my summary of how the theme of reputation motivates characters and plot developments in The Crucible: If you're an old beggar woman who sometimes takes shelter in this creepy shack, you better believe these jerks are gonna turn on you as soon as anyone says the word "witch.". Shes not a traditionally accepted target like the others (except in her susceptibility as a woman to the misogyny that runs rampant in the play). Hypocrisy Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Tituba is pressured to confess and name the names of other witches to avoid execution, which leads to Abigail and Bettys accusations, now validated by a coerced confession. PPTX The Crucible by Arthur Miller - Dr. Coffman's English Classes In fact, we've all seen hypocrisy in our daily lives. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play about the Salem witch trials. The dark, witchcraft-filled production follows a series of deaf characters who are narrated in English, rather than the other way around. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. Mary Warrens sense of self-importance has increased as a result of the perceived value of her participation in court. The fear caused by the thought of supernatural evil in Salem causes the characters in the play to turn a blind eye to logic and instead believe in claims not backed by actual "hard as rock" proof. What makes Danforth so unwilling to consider that the girls could be pretending? So, she decides to manipulate the situation by saying that the Devil has come to her and she has resisted his commands to kill Mr. Parris. Abigails power skyrockets as the hysteria grows more severe. In the Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play that is based of 1962 Salem Massachusetts, the site of one of the worst witch-hunts in history. Tituba is pressured to confess and name the names of other witches to avoid execution, which leads to Abigail and Bettys accusations, now validated by a coerced confession. No one considers that the accusers are lying, partially because theyre seen as innocent children and partially because many witches confess to avoid the death penalty. In Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, the events that occurred during the Salem witch trials are dramatized, and the truth of judgement and vengeance is examined in a web of lies amongst the townspeople. The power of collective hysteria ultimately becomes insurmountable because it grows larger than the influence of the few rational voices in the community. Other essay questions may not ask you directly about the themes listed in this article, but that doesn't mean that the themes are irrelevant to your writing. I feel like its a lifeline. Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. His only goal is to get on the good side of the community as a whole, even in the midst of this bout of collective hysteria. Why does Mary Warren behave differently when she becomes involved in the trials? While Mary Warren gets pressured by Proctor to reveal the truth about Abigail, but the overwhelming pressure from the mob makes her turn from the truth. A Comprehensive Guide. In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. There's a message here about the choices we have in dealing with guilt. 41). Historical Context. Hysteria blinds the people of Salem to reason as they become convinced that there is a grand Satanic plot brewing in town, and they must not hesitate to condemn anyone who could be involved. Diehard fan of The Wire. Support me by becoming a Medium member: https://bit.ly/39Cybb8. Here are a few questions about hysteria to consider now that you've read a summary of how this theme was expressed throughout the plot of the play: Even though there is significant reason to believe Abigail is lying about Elizabeth's familiar spirit stabbing her, the frenzied investigators ignore testimony that challenges their chosen witchy narrative.
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