For centuries, humans have utilized defense mechanisms to explain the unfortunate occurrences of humanity that we are incapable of conceiving through our narrow, defensive minds. Humans most commonly scapegoat their enemies, or the entirely innocent, for their internal issues as a means of coping for their insecurities or explaining the irrational or biased situations they find themselves in. Similarly, others cope just as easily by lying to themselves, which can establish a false reality in the mind of the self-deceiver and, ultimately, leads to fallacies in logic. Coherently, Arthur Miller utilizes his diverse cast of characters in his play write “The Crucible” to demonstrate the ease at which lying to one’s self can create false …show more content…
Elizabeth’s passive aggression constitutes Danforth’s denial, therefore demonstrating human hypocrisy. Judge Danforth, a theocratic representative of God, similar to Proctor, recognizes he is at fault for the fate of many innocent people. However, being a representative of God and giving arrested so many, Danforth concludes that he cannot be wrong, despite his knowledge that the children are lying, which unmistakably proves his denial. During Act III, in the courthouse, Danforth tells Proctor, “Indeed not, but it strike hard upon me that she would dare come here with such a tale. Now, Mr. Proctor, before I decide whether I shall hear you or not, it is my duty to tell you this. We burn a hot fire in here; it melts down all concealment” (Miller 89). In addition to the quote being a metaphorical reference to a literal crucible, which melts ores until they become pure and exposed metals, free of impurities, Danforth’s quote simultaneously suggests his inability to conceive the concept that the children are fake, a truth revealed to him after his sentencing of many innocent people with no evidence. Danforth, unable to decide between attempting to maintain his personal ethos or pardoning those he knows are innocent, demonstrates his denial. However, Danforth, being well aware of his mistake, is prevented by
Hook: Crucible is a book filled with mistakes and the outcomes of those mistakes. Every single action that a person commits leads to either a positive or a negative consequence, and this piece of literature provides readers with an opportunity to analyze some causes and effects.
Thou shalt not lie, thou shalt not murder, and thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor are three of the ten commandments that God created for his people to follow. The Puritans valued the commandments and devoted their lives to following them. They supposedly believed in going to church every sunday, having their children baptized young, and living day by day in accordance with the scripture. The Puritans were thought to be holy and without fault, but no one is perfect; therefore, the Puritan society was bound to make a mistake. Instead of confessing and publicly stating that they were deviant, they chose to cover it up and hide. They claimed to be the innocent Christians that they were raised to be, but deep down, they were
People come and go, but fear remains constant. In 1692, the people of Salem were scared into believing there was witches among them, and in 1950’s the Red Scare destroyed thousands of people's lives by saying they were Communists. Those accused were both witch hunts were put on trial, and in Salem they were killed, and the Red Scare had blacklisted those persecuted. Theres many similarities in "The Great Fear” and a poem on Sacco and Vendetti, Margaret Chase Smith’s speech, and Senator Elizabeth Warren. The similarity are lives being over and the towns, the people who started the mess and, the people who spoke out.
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” ( Dr. Seuss) “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” (Psalm 23:4) “God has given you one face, and you make yourself another.” (William Shakespeare) These quotes, found throughout many different time periods of history, all say the same: “Be who you are and don’t let anything change that.” These are great words to live by, but, in time of weakness, does one stay true? Can even the good be twisted? This is a theme that is represented throughout The Crucible many times. Characters such as Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor, and Reverend Hale had good intentions
In 1952 a play was written by Arthur Miller, about events that happened in Salem in 1692. The play was about affairs, accusations, and innocent people being accused of witches. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Abigail and Mary Warren are introduced as two separate people. Although people might see Abigail and Mary Warren as two separate people and nothing alike, they are more alike than meet's the eye. Abigail and Mary Warren have three things in common; they are both are deceitful, they both dishonest, and they are both apprehensive.
The Crucible was about a group of girls who lied about seeing witches and the devil. The whole community sat back and watched different townspeople get hanged because they didn't want to tell a lie. The girls faked being cursed and having the devil come to them at night while they were sleeping. The story is so silly it's hard to believe but these things were actually inspired by a true story. Innocent people were hanged or stoned to death all based upon lies.
pull it down and so denounce God and place a whore in God’s place is
It was a bright cold day in Salem, where the sun seeped through overcast skies above and the mist danced around in the street. The wind hissed and howled, and swept through the narrow streets. In the centre of the town, stood the proud house of Reverend Parris. But that day, Reverend Parris was not a proud man as the accusations of witchcraft drifted through the town, overwhelming him completely.
The Crucible Film The Crucible; an intensely emotional and dramatic film based on the horrific story of the Salem witch trials. The opening and concluding sequences are of great importance in conjuring the melancholy atmosphere present throughout the story. The director uses various different devices to achieve this.
The Crucible was based in 1692 in and around the town of Salem, Massachusetts, USA. The Salem witch-hunt was view as one of the strangest and most horrendous chapters in the human history. People that were prosecuted were all innocent and their deaths were all due to false accusation of people’s ridiculous belief in superstition and their paranoia. The Puritans in those times were very strict in personal habits and morality; swearing, drunkenness and gambling would be punished. The people of Salem believed in the devil and thought that witchcraft should be hunted out.
The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is a rich and enticing play set in the late 1600’s describing the epic horrors and emotions through the events of the Salem witch trials. The Crucible, focuses primarily on the inconsistencies of the Salem witch trials and the extreme behavior that can result from dark desires and hidden agendas. The play begins with the discovery of several young girls and an African American slave, Tituba, in the woods just outside of Salem, dancing and pretending to conjure spirits. The Puritans of Salem stood for complete religious intolerance and stressed the need to follow the ways of the bible literally without exception. The actions of the women in
The Crucible is a complex and intriguing novel with events, characters and themes comparable to almost every period of human history. It is common for humans to fear change and what is unknown, in the play The Crucible this is witchcraft and the devil, in more recent times it can be seen in post World War Two and Cold War United States, through McCarthyism. The themes in the crucible are as important to people in the 21st century as in Salem in 1692. These include justice, reputation, hysteria, intolerance and empowerment. All of these are common themes throughout human history. The characters in The Crucible are also important to people of the 21st century as they can teach us a little bit about people around us and their reactions when
he mood and situtation that he was in. At the end (Act ]I[) John Proctor was
One of the many works written and driven by Puritan influence, The Crucible by Arthur Miller has continued to influence life and thinkings. Its story tracing the 1692 Salem Witch Trials has been widely read, received and understood, along with influencing the reader and their ideals. The play has manifested into more than words on a page and has become of the greatest influences, even sixty years after its publication. Though its story has not changed and is merely a retelling of the original itself, its themes have greatly impacted its universal and enduring state.
In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Reverend Parris is a character in the play that is very static. His character does not evolve in many ways during the course of the play. By the end of the play, Reverend Parris is still selfish, stubborn, and greedy. However, one of his most prominent flaws at the begging of the play is his selfishness.