Hale truly believes that the accused have been marked by the Devil. 67). By Act 4, many of the power structures that were firmly in place earlier in the play have disintegrated. 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. Hypocrisy is shown between the characters: Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and Hale. Reverend Parris' concerns about his reputation are immediately evident in Act 1. This is a lesson in how fear can twist perceptions of reality even for those who consider themselves reasonable under normal circumstances. The Bible that the Puritans swore to live by is not being honored when they used the trials to condemn their neighbors to death. John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. This attitude comes from a man who has shown no remorse for condemning people to death throughout the play. | 2 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. Reverend Hale, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. What Is The Hypocrisy In The Crucible. 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. Many people confess when threatened with execution, and this only heightens the paranoid atmosphere. A man of conscience is one who is aware of his moral and ethical beliefs and judgments and one who will prefer right over wrong. If you argued that John Proctor was the central tragic character, you could say that his flaws were an excessive concern for his reputation and overconfidence in the power of reason to overcome hysteria. 121). This causes problems down the line as Parris allows his paranoia about losing his position to translate into enthusiasm for the witch hunt. The evolution of his character is due to vairous . This new power is exciting and very dangerous because. Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. Tituba, the slave of Reverend Parris, is the first to admit to dancing with the devil. Miller writes: ''As for Rebecca herself, the general opinion of her character was so high that to explain how anyone dared cry her out for a witchwe must look to the fields and boundaries of that time.'' By examining the characters of the play, I believe that the three major characters who should be blamed the most for the witch trials are Abigail Williams. Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. Each new false confession is thrown onto the pile of evidence of a grand Satanic plot, and as the pile grows larger, the hysteria surrounding it is fed generously. Miller addresses a similar hysteria throughout his play. He appears to have no governing system of morality. Do you not know that God damns all liars? The authorities ignore any inconvenient logical objections to the proceedings because they, too, are swept up in the madness. The main pillars of traditional power are represented by the law and the church. The Crucible is a tragedy play written by Arthur Miller. This shows us how one person who starts. Danforth wont listen to him for this reason. Miller carries the theme of hypocrisy through Parris by giving the reverend a very greedy nature. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. Hale pg. Through Abigail Williams, Miller was trying to state the injustice in Salem because she targeted the innocent people, leading to their death. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the setting is Salem, Massachusetts during the late 1600s where the towns pious Puritan beliefs directly influence their government. I chose . 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. builds quickly as accusations of witchcraft proliferate throughout Salem. Lying- Explain why the girls are more willing to lie . What are their strengths and personal flaws? A constant theme through out the play is your personal reputation, maintaining a good name. Logic has no power to combat paranoia and superstition even when the claims of the girls are clearly fraudulent. The Crucible is a play written by American author, Arthur Miller, in 1953. Danforth continues to demonstrate the effects of hysteria in act 4 even after things have died down a bit in Salem and there have been rumblings of discontent about the courts actions. The overall message is that when a person's actions are driven by desires to preserve favorable public opinion rather than do the morally right thing, there can be extremely dire consequences. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (pg. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. How is Millers underlying message revealed in one of these themes and through the character?". As John gives his confession, Danforth says to Rebecca Nurse Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. The accusers cannot present concrete evidences, and their wrongful convictions must be further scrutinized. Mary is a hypocrite, because she's supposed to be helping the church rid of conjurers of the devil but instead she is deceitful. Thus demonstrating how mob mentality can impact an individual and ultimately drive the action of the play. Sure, you don't expect or want rain, but it's not the polar opposite of getting married. By Act 4, many of the power structures that were firmly in place earlier in the play have disintegrated. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. you are exactly right. This lie essentially condemns both of them. In the book the Crucible there are many hypocrites some dishonest some just following any one to be guilty, but one of the many character is Judge Danforth he mocks Marry when he ask "How were you instructed in your life? John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. Two characters who demonstrate how mob mentality can lead to the demise of Salem are Abigail and Mary Warren. This attitude comes from a man who has shown no remorse for condemning people to death throughout the play. 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. She also ran the local tavern. At first, Mary is being honest by admitting that Elizabeth . This new power is exciting and very dangerous because it encourages the girls to make additional accusations in order to preserve their value in the eyes of the court. He is weak and vulnerable after Abigail's theft of his life's savings, and hes even facing death threats from the townspeople as a result of John and Rebecca's imminent executions. They are extremely biased towards believing they have made the correct sentencing decisions in court thus far, so they are reluctant to accept new evidence that may prove them wrong. 119). Danforth also becomes frustrated with Proctor when he wont name names in his confession: Mr. She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. When she is brought in for questioning and claims to see Marys familiar spirit, she says Envy is a deadly sin, Mary.Abigail herself has acted out of envy for the entire play. In the case of a play like The Crucible, themes are revealed mainly through the dialogue of the characters. These are themes that could be considered subsets of the topics detailed in the previous sections, but there's also room to discuss them as topics in their own right. The Devil has returned putting children under his control is what many people believed in Salem village in 1962. 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. Miller explains this further: ''long-held hatreds of neighbors could now be openly expressed, and vengeance taken, despite the Bible's charitable injunctions.'' 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. 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. Fear that spread among a group of people in Salem during the Salem Witch Trials, that event in history is a prime example of Mass Hysteria. Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. Parris is extremely dismayed by this revelation because of the damage it will do to his reputation. 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 human lust and want for power has been and is the base of each and every witch-hunt. He is weak and vulnerable after Abigail's theft of his life's savings, and hes even facing death threats from the townspeople as a result of John and Rebecca's imminent executions. 130). Both Hale and Proctor don't want to live with the consequences of their mistakes, so they try to ignore or undo their past actions. Danforth explains his inability to free the accused people because, twelve are already hanged for the same crime. Irony abounds throughout The Crucibleascharacters who believe they are combating the Devils handiwork actually perform it themselves. There are two examples of Ad hominem from The Crucible in Act 2 and Act 3. Act 4 is Danforths turn to shine in the irony department. She believed she had seen spirits earlier because she was caught up in the delusions of those around her. If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. Why wont Danforth hear his evidence? If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. She puts on a fake front to get what she wants, ultimately creating a persona thats even worse than that of the hypocrites she criticizes. Do you not know that God damns all liars? (Miller 101). In today's society no one want to hear about something they fear, they would rather it be left alone than try to understand it. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie. 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. The seeds are planted in Act 1, when Abigail is questioned about her activities in the woods and ends up accusing Tituba of witchcraft to avoid punishment. 41). In telling people they must confess to their crimes or be hanged, the officials show that they have already decided the person is guilty no matter what evidence is provided in their defense. While it does provide an entertaining experience at face value, the true literary genius behind the work is Miller's . . In this act, we learn more details about the accused that paint a clearer picture of the influence of reputation and social standing on the patterns of accusations. Nowhere is there any consideration of ulterior motives. It is used to draw away from a person's counterargument through addressing something unrelated. In a way,John welcomes the loss of his reputation because he feels so guilty about the disconnect between howhe is perceived by others and the sins he has committed. Recall that hypocrisy is when someone's actions don't match up with the professed values. 44) but realizes that her word against Abigail will not stand. Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, is a story where many people had been accused of witchcraft and a lot of innocent victims faced a difficult decision. Abigail's strength in Act I is the strength that is within her ability to influence others. Abigails presence is always rife with irony in. 133). Before I get into the nitty-gritty of howThe Cruciblethemes are expressed, let's do a quick overview of what themes are and why they matter. The faces that people present to the public are designed to garner respect in the community, but the witch trials have thrown this system into disarray. Abigail, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle towards more power over her situation. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. It can be hard for the deaf and hard of hearing to become engaged in theater. In The Crucible many examples of hypocrisy are shown. He questions Abigail aggressively because hes worried his enemies will learn the full story of what happened in the woods first and use it to discredit him. He is completely oblivious to the fact that the victims might be lying. Arthur Miller speaks of Reverend Parris, stating: ''until this strange crisis he, like the rest of Salem, never conceived that the children were anything but thankful for being permitted to walk straight, eyes slightly lowered, arms at the sides, and mouths shut until bidden to speak.''. The Devil is precise.'' He refers to Johns refusal to confess as a calamity, looking past his own involvement in the larger calamity of the conviction that led John to this point. In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a dramatic play that expresses a very important message and that is how far people would go to save themselves from the hands of death. Explain who you believe is the central tragic character in the play. Rebecca Nurse is a pure soul, who always took care of other people's children. No one thinks a teenage orphan girl is capable of such extensive deception (or delusion), so she is consistently trusted. 130). Hypocrisy In Salem And The Crucible Proctor knows that unlike most of the other people who have gotten hanged, his is not completely innocent. He. People could not take another's land unless it was left to them in a will; however, if someone were to be executed for a crime, that land belonged to the state and could be re-distributed. Danforth and Mary Warren both embody hypocrisy, as seen when Mary says she cannot lie anymore and then lies when she becomes scared for her life, and Danforth when saying lying will send a person to Hell, but then forcing people to choose between lying and death. While touting his holy credentials, he claims that he dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of my conscience may doubt it (pg. Abigail accuses Tituba first because Tituba is the one person below her on the ladder of power, so she makes an easy scapegoat. Though hysteria overpowered the reputations of the accused in the past two acts, in act 4 the sticking power of their original reputations becomes apparent. Abigails presence is always rife with irony in The Crucible, as she constantly chastises others for sins she herself has committed. A 17-year-old girl named Abigail Williams had an affair with John Proctor, a wealthy, married man. How is Parris fate in act 4 ironic when considering his role in the events of the play? This hysteria-based evidence of witchcraft includes the discovery of the poppet in the Proctor household with a needle in it. Parris initially insists that there are no unnatural causes for Bettys illness because he fears that he will lose favor with the townspeople if witchcraft is discovered under his roof. Abigail distracts the judges from any rational investigation in this act by playing into this hysteria. Sign language interpreters, though extremely helpful, do not allow deaf audience members to fully experience a show. flashcard sets. She is clearly outspoken and dominant, but her initial position in society is one of very little influence and authority. She attended church regularly and was the embodiment of how a Puritan woman should behave. There's a message here about the choices we have in dealing with guilt. Envy, Selfishness, and lust for money/power demonstrate the flaws of humanity through the actions of Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and Thomas Putnam. Abigails low status and perceived innocence under normal circumstances allow her to claim even greater power in her current situation. In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. Parris begs Danforth to postpone their hangings because he fears for his life if the executions proceed as planned. When this fallacy is used, the unrealistic characteristic is undesirable, causing the other person to look bad. They so fear the devilish consequences of challenging the accusers that theyre willing to take them at their word and ignore any defenses the accused have to offer. The hypocrisy in this statement is almost funny. 91). There are many characters in the Crucible who are guilty of taking innocent lives, but there are three major characters who, without a doubt, are the most at blame. The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. 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. Why is Giles Cory expelled from court? 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). 67). AbracaDENIAL! " jesus christThe simple answer is of course, yes! Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in The Crucible. She openly threatens Danforth for even entertaining Mary and John's accusations of fraud against her. Theme 3: Reputation. 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. It is another trait we inherited from them, and it has helped to discipline us as well as to breed hypocrisy among us.'' Abigail is told by John to move on but instead, Abigail starts accusing the townspeople of witchcraft, including John Proctors wife Elizabeth. Miller fills us in on much of the history in breaks in the play where he offers commentary in his own voice. In this act, she yells Dont lie! at Tituba immediately before she tells some of the most damning lies of the play accusing Tituba of witchcraft (She comes to me while I sleep; shes always making me dream corruptions! pg. In one of the most well-known quotes in the play, John Proctor angrily insists that the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom (pg. Why does Mary Warren behave differently when she becomes involved in the trials? In steadfastly refusing to confess, Rebecca Nurse holds onto a great deal of power. The other two main female characters, Elizabeth and Mary Warren, are somewhat bland. For example, proctor waits till the very last minute to reveal Abigail is lying. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. 42). As mentioned in the overview, religion holds significant power over the people of Salem. 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. John finally comes to the realization that Mary's truthful testimony cannot compete with the hysteria that has taken hold of the court. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, we have Rebecca Nurse. 22). When she cant get John to abandon Elizabeth for her, she decides to take matters into her own hands and gain control through manipulating the fears of others. There are numerous connections between the flaws of individual characters and the overarching themes of the play that could be brought into this discussion. She beg me make charm (Miller, pg. John Proctor is the tragic hero because he is loving, loyal, authoritative, but his tragic flaw is his . Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. . Though the play is fictional, the characters are named after real people who lived in Salem during that time. 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. One path to higher standing and greater control would be in becoming John Proctors wife. Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. They say not to use superstition when dealing with the Devil, who is in fact a superstition used to cover up the sinful dealings of the people. Later in Act 4, Danforth becomes angry at the implication that Johns confession may not be the truth. I feel like its a lifeline. In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. MPP friends writing about life, love, and everything else in between together. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. In one of the most well-known quotes in the play, John Proctor angrily insists that the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom (pg. In this play, the author illustrates the central idea that people should not allow jealousy to control their actions. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play about the Salem witch trials. Miller himself was blacklisted for refusing to testify in front of the HUAC, a committee that was created to investigate any person who might be a communist. The Salem villagers exhibit failings, including greed, vengeance, and fear, which eventually lead to the downfall of their town. It's here that we see the hypocrisy of the situation. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? This vicious cycle continues to claim the lives of more and more people as the play progresses. The narrator tells the audience that there is very little good to be said of him (Miller 1100), yet as a minister the people of the town look to him to be a pious religious leader. There are several ironies in Act 1 that center around Abigail Williams. Instead of living a simple life and managing his duties in the town, he is always complaining that he either does not have enough material items or someone is attacking him, all thoughts that a priest should not be concerning himself with. 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." Danforth also acts out of concern for his reputations here. He has sentenced people to death based on lies about their dealings in black magic, and he has accepted other false confessions from those who would rather lie than be executed. I will not have it said my name is soiled! The second major theme in The Crucible (and one that teachers often ask about) is fear and hysteria.