Examples Of Semiotics In The Crucible '

AP Language Gender, Semiotics, Power Assessment

Societies view on every person is objectively determined by their language: the way they speak, how they say it, and whom they deem important enough to address. Obviously, other things, such as looks or actions, inform the impression someone leaves, however the way one speaks and what they say has arguably the greatest affect on the people they are surrounded by. This is why rhetoric and language play such a huge role in the process of establishing superiority over others and creating truths that may or may not be accurate. Social norms are established that are then used and manipulated by others through eloquence of speech to gain power over others. Through the examples provided in pieces such

Characteristically articulate speech and well-informed decisions seem to be traits that are naturally instilled in political authorities. This pre-existing idea of formidable ambience becomes a background to every word they say, and as shown in literature such as The Crucible, is used as evidence to support any point made. Judge Danforth, one of the presiding judges during the Salem Witch Trials, uses his political status as justification to the credibility of his decisions. He makes it seem as though his ruling and knowledge is better than others’ through indirectly citing his political status, thereby gaining power over all others in the room. The diction which he uses, concise and succinct leaves little room for argument, and presents everything he says as though it is truth. This same tone and linguistic characteristics can be found in the way Koro, Paikea’s grandfather and tribe leader in The Whale Rider, address nearly everyone. Paikea’s lifelong dream is to hold the political and culturally respected position as tribe leader, and as the only child of Koro’s son, she should inherit that spot. However, because she is female, Paikea gets denied the opportunity again and again in a short, concise manner by the current head of the tribe, her grandfather. Everytime he rejects Paikea, he gains more power by making her

Cultural norms and popular opinion are used to support extreme points whether or not these norms and opinions are actually just. The citation of these norms and how individuals manipulate them to fit their opinions is what constitutes as their use of language to gain power. For example, during the time period The Crucible is set in, the myth of witches is very much alive and feared. This is why, when Abigail Williams (a young girl in the village) is accused of dancing, she is easily able to spin it off as witchcraft on the part of older women in the town. Her claims are somewhat ridiculous, and when analyzed from an unbiased perspective one can clearly see Abigail’s true motives, however, because of the confidence in Abigail’s diction, and the previous cultural myth of witches, this false truth is easily produced. If she were less assertive in her claims, the adults in Salem most likely would have brushed her off without a thought. Cultural norms being used in language to justify points and establish authority can also be seen in the film The Whale Rider. In a less extreme culture, the desire clearly seen in Paikea to be the tribe leader along with the hardworking spirit continuously shown, would be enough to sway her grandfather’s support. However, because of norms so thoroughly established, Paikea’s grandfather easily says no, using that as support for his denial. He