Most of us wish to atone for many of our past wrongdoings. Those that result from actions that have been undertaken with conscience or without. However, with atonement comes the need to hurt one's ego, to recognise, take accountability and act. We must become the critics and judge our personal merits – a process that takes effort, an effort that tears at our pride and can pick apart our self-righteousness. It requires goodness and strong will. In Arthur Miller's 1953 play The Crucible, John Proctor, a character who worked toward strengthening his once-poor integrity, invites readers to reflect upon themselves, recognise and uphold their individualistic principles of moral conduct. Through the elaborate and effective use of his creative licence, …show more content…
Through the incorporation of common themes in his writing, Miller effectively explores assumptions, ideologies and challenges that are not only relevant to readers but also encourage personal reflection and growth. Most – if not all – of Miller's characters have faced continuous challenges that have shaped them into whom they have become by the conclusion of the play. The extreme temperatures of the crucible could also signify the burning fires of hell. Through the Australian Story episode Lady Justice, featuring Australian lawyer and human rights activist Debbie Kilroy, similar concepts of character development are evident. Kilroy's relentless attempts to fight for the freedoms of the oppressed are highlighted throughout the episode. The documentary also emphasises her resilient character and strong will that allowed Kilroy to move beyond her troubled past and adopt an oppugnant lifestyle. The continued success of Australian Story is evidence of Australia's curiosity; Australians are interested in learning more about the individuals who have contributed to their shared …show more content…
An author can influence their audience in various ways through the practical uses of ethos, pathos, and logos. Both The Crucible and Australian Story episode Lady Justice explores notions of redemption and reform. However, where The Crucible suggests views of redemption per one’s moral conduct, Lady Justice instead emphasises the influence of broader society when striving for redemption. Ultimately, both texts explore and reinforce similar beliefs that reformation results from honesty and self-respect. The value of dignity and understanding one’s individualistic standards are explored in greater depth throughout both texts through the compelling portrayal of character and character experience. Clear parallels are drawn between The Crucible and The Red Scare, which took place in the US in the 1950s and gave rise to the vehement campaign called McCarthyism. Miller’s defiance of McCarthyism and refusal to testify against communist sympathisers led to his arrest in 1956. Through John Proctor, the playwright mirrors his personal experiences to that of his characters. Due to the honest and ethical nature of his character, Proctor imposes solid morals and values that disregard his personal need for social validation; his righteousness restricts his ability to tie himself to treachery and corrupt his
In Act Three of Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, John Proctor admits he has committed adultery with Abigail motivated in trying to save his wife, while his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, lies about why she kicked Abigail from their house to protect her and her husbands privacy. I feel as though John’s actions were justified and Elizabeth’s actions were not. John Proctor was trying to get the court to see Abigail was a terrible, unsaintly fraud in her claims of being witched. John tells the court that his wife, who has never told a lie, would concur to the affair accusations brought against Abigail. When brought into the court Elizabeth was questioned on why she had kicked Abigail out of their home and she replied in a manner that did not show
Proctor’s actions have taught us to put others before us. Through John Proctor's developments from a confused man to a conscience stricken man and ending in a town role model, Arthur Miller illustrates the ability of overcoming one’s past mistakes. John Proctor overcame his past challenges but he was a
ohn Proctor is an aggressor who employs gaslighting. Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible in the 1950s as a way of pointing out the insanity of the Communist Red Scare. During the Red Scare the House Un-American Activities Committee, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin, would predatorily target and accuse American citizens of being communists. In The Crucible, I argue that John Proctor could have prevented the widespread panic in Salem by confessing his crimes earlier, avoiding Abigail, and speaking out publicly against the allegations. John Proctor is to blame for every issue within The Crucible because he refused to accept accountability for his own behavior and instead placed the entire blame on Abigail when the text says”if she is
Miller wrote The Crucible to show cultural and political "excitement" during the communist era. John Proctor is one of Arthur most finest characters by development and personality. In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller develops Proctor’s redemption arc with his relationships with other characters and conflicts within the town to display the idea that people who look for redemption
“Evil hiding among us is an ancient theme” (John Carpenter). Throughout human history, harsh themes have surfaced time and time again. Within society, these subjects appear daily. In fact, in literature authors include these topics to provide further engagement for the reader. Among the themes displayed in Arthur Miller's The Crucible, the most pertinent of which are human weakness, displayed by John Proctor, vindictiveness, by Abigail Williams, and hypocrisy demonstrated by Danforth.
Separation between groups of people, one considered to be superior, creates a motivation of wanting to be on top. Egos’ within the superior group cause them to lie and do what they have to do to maintain status. The isolated group that is put on a pedestal feels that even though their actions are wrong they cannot risk losing their elevated position. In Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible, men are seen as elite, in the puritan society, above women in the social hierarchy. John Proctor as an exemplary puritan man lives his life as a superior, is unwilling to admit his obvious guilt and struggles in leaving his ignorance and pride behind him with far reaching consequences.
Living in Salem, Massachusetts in the 1600s, reputation was extremely significant in a town where social standing is tied to one’s ability to follow religious rules. In Salem, having a good name is the only way to have a good reputation among other people, or to receive a fair trial. In the play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, character’s actions is influenced to keep their name pure. Arthur Miller uses John Proctor and Reverend Parris to elucidate how preserving one’s reputation is a prevalent theme throughout the play.
Living in a society where motivations are what infuences our day-to-day actions, it shows the importance of an individual’s motivations to how they react to situations. The Crucible, an allegorical play by Arthur Miller, delves into how motivations influences how an individual reacts to the situation they are faced with. In the play, we are shown how multiple characters’ motivations influenced their actions. Parris, one of the characters in the play, is portrayed as someone who would do anything in order to keep his name clear of any allegation. While other characters could not bare the guilt of doing anything horrible to clear their names.
Amidst times of chaos when fear and uncertainty is abundant, many individuals prioritize their own survival above all else. Arthur Miller's 1953 play The Crucible, is an examination of this instinct in the framework of the Salem witch trials. Through his use of literary devices, specifically dialogue, Miller delves into complex themes of self-preservation, mass hysteria, and truth. In The Crucible, Miller employs character dialogue to illustrate the unfortunate reality that during the witch trials, self-preservation often held more value than moral principles and honesty. By exploring the different characters and their motivations, Miller reveals the dangerous consequences of prioritizing self-preservation above fundamental beliefs.
In Arthur Miller's Play The Crucible, various characters face major conflict, whether through physical trials or unseen personal struggles. Some people live every day in fear, wondering if they will be falsely accused of witchcraft. Others face more internal challenges, such as forgiving those who have hurt them. John Proctor, was a man of strong moral character who held himself to a high standard for the sake of his good name and family.
Cruelty is a recurrent theme in literature that often acts as a critical factor in a novel’s development. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, the occurrence of cruelty is seen to be gradually increasing as the story goes on from accusations of witchcraft that lead into chaos and death. Through Miller’s depiction of the merciless accusations and murders of innocent people, cruelty reveals a high extent of people’s animosity and vengeance that is greatly influenced by the attitude of the surrounding atmosphere. The accusations first began when the girls who were caught “dancing” in the forest were under pressure to confess what they were truly doing.
Helen Keller, a disabled rights activist, American author, and lecturer once said “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” This quote relates to The Crucible by Arthur Miller by showing how a dynamic character changes throughout the story of the Salem witch trials. During this story, the character who goes through the most change is the character Reverend Hale. Through Reverend Hale’s change from a narcissistic holy man to a humbled, guilt-ridden man, Arthur Miller illustrates the realization of regret changing a man.
Reputation is the belief or opinions from others based upon your character .I s a good image more important than telling the truth? Reputation is important in the strict Puritan way of life town Salem. Public and Private moralities are equal in importance in the Crucible. Several Characters base their actions to protect their reputations.
In the play “The Crucible”, Arthur Miller uses his writing as a way to inform readers of the dangers of conforming. He writes about the years of the Salem witch trials, while adding realistic fiction drama in
In Arthur Miller’s dramatic play The Crucible, John Proctor, the protagonist, symbolized truth and justice by displaying honor and pride in his name. The change in balance between those two attributes acted as a catalyst in defining moments of the play. In the beginning, Proctor equally reflected both pride and honor in separate events. However, when forced to make a decision, he chose honor over pride. Ultimately, both his honor and pride pushed him to commit the ultimate sacrifice.