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The Crucible Literary Analysis

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Recommended: A character study of the crucible

The human mind is far more complex than humans themselves realize. The concept of free will and its limits can alter either the person or their life. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller presents the idea that misguided motives lead to decisions that wrong others by fearing what they don’t understand. The fear of the worst to occur is what fuels these people to encourage unreliable reasons for misinterpreted conduct. “I know it, sir. I sent my child she would learn from Tituba who murdered her sisters.” [-Mrs. Putnam Act I, Line 771]. Miller introduces Mrs. Putnam as a mother in denial when she describes her previous stillborns to be murdered. Applying that she doesn’t understand Tituba’s culture, Goody Putnam believes her strange lifestyle includes …show more content…

“My husband is good and righteous mantle is never drunk as some are nor wastin’ his time at the shore l board, but always at big work.” [-Elizabeth Proctor Act III, Line 934]. Elizabeth amplifies the plot it could’ve ended in that moment if it weren’t for her deciding it was the moment to lie for the first time. However, Miller points out the mistakes immediately after because he would like to display Goody Proctor is still human. “I never had no wife that be so taken with books, and I thought to find the cause of it.” [-Giles Corey Act III, Line 70]. Miller adds to Giles Corey’s conflict as he tries to assure judge Danforth he meant nothing by saying she read strange books – Miller carries the idea of how confused Giles or even Danforth must be with the issue. “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” [-John Proctor Act IV, Line 725]. Miller establishes Proctor refusing to allow his name be shamed by a false confession

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953 Words | 4 Pages

The Author Charles Frazier wrote in his book Cold Mountain “[No] matter what a waste a man has made of ones life, it is ever possible to find some path to redemption, however partial” John Proctor is a prime example of this quote. Towards the beginning of the play Miller gives the reader an impression that he is a selfish and immoral man that does not care about his family or the feelings of his wife, Elizabeth. As the play goes on however Miller’s representation of proctor can sway the opinions they have of John when he decides to let himself be hanged for good reason. Within the short timeline of the story John Proctor was able to look past his mistakes and restored his morals. John Proctor was denounced in the story when he was seduced

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553 Words | 3 Pages

The times back then were terrible. The Crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller in 1953 about The Salem Witch Trials of 1692.McCarthyism was the “witch hunt” for the communist in 1953.the parallels between The Crucible and McCarthyism are naming names,lack of proof ,and reststance. The first reason they are parallel is because of naming names. Hollywood director Elia Kazan went in front of the HUAC twice. The first time he did not confess and names.

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1268 Words | 6 Pages

Miller was able to relay these traits through John Procter who first and foremost is a representation of Millers personal ideology and embodiment of his aspirations. Through the use of exclamation, “In her life, sir she have never lied … my wife cannot lie!” we see that Proctors imperfections make him a relatable representation to his audience. His courage to not name his wife Elizabeth ironically demonstrates his goodness as by not naming names in essence equates to her not being guilty. This is representative of Millers political values of the law and 1950’s

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611 Words | 3 Pages

Arguments and debates are a part of everyday life, being used to convince others to agree with a certain point of view or belief. Elizabeth Proctor makes a perpetual effort to argue during The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, while the chaos of the Salem Witch Trials continues . She employs an earnest and dignified tone simply to convince Reverend Hale that she has nothing to do with witchcraft and never has during her Puritan life. Elizabeth Proctor utilizes critical rhetorical devices including tone, logos, and pathos throughout Arthur Miller's The Crucible to argue that she is innocent of witchcraft.

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1158 Words | 5 Pages

There be no higher judge under Heaven than Proctor is! Forgive me, forgive me, John—I never knew such goodness in the world!”(137). Elizabeth is explaining to Proctor that life would be worth living as they have a family to raise. Proctor’s quality of life would be affected by this choice because if Proctor chose to live with these circumstances he would be seen as awful and a as sellout by friends. Evidently based on the given information Proctor’s quality of life would be miserable, for himself and his family if he had chosen to

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608 Words | 3 Pages

In history there have been many major events that have shaped the times we live in. Two of the major events of our time are the "witchunts" of the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism. The Crucible is a 1953 play by American playwright Arthur Miller. It is a drama and fictional story of the Salem Witch Trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during 1692-1693. Miller wrote the play as a parable for McCarthyism, when the United States government ostracized people for being communists.

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626 Words | 3 Pages

Human is a species that live in group, and conformity is one of the distinct characteristic of human nature. In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller investigates various natures in community throughout Act 1 and 2. The play took place at Salem, a town that primarily based on puritanism, the major plot of this play is about witchcraft and witch hunt. Miller conveys a essential message of people always search for conformity from society as a form to prove their identity, further, any rebellion would consider as outcast from majority. The author explores the theme by the use of conflict, this literary element best demonstrates changes of characterizations and complication between others and internal struggle.

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1224 Words | 5 Pages

Both Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” and Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” are both books that present us with the theme of ‘men of conscience’. John Proctor and Atticus Finch, both fictional characters from the books, are considered to be ‘men of conscience’. A man of conscience is a man aware of the moral and ethical judgements he has a strong desire to do the right thing whenever possible. The life of these men is ruled by their desire to seek the truth and justice in the situations around them; these traits are displayed in both of the characters throughout both the novel and the play.

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630 Words | 3 Pages

Shawn Jande Ms. Clancy American Literature B3 15 November 2015 The Crucible Analytical Essay Imagine, being accused of a crime you didn’t commit by your neighbors and friends out of jealousy, and desire. This is what many people in the town of Salem had to go through during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. People's motives such as: gaining and maintaining power, and aspirations for what other people had caused them to make irrational, and atrocious decisions. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, desire and power drive characters to create chaos in the community.

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570 Words | 3 Pages

John Proctor suffers from a sense of excessive pride throughout the entirety of the play. In Act II of The Crucible the reader sees Proctors pride when he is arguing with Elizabeth, his wife, about sin he committed with Abbigail. One line that supports this is “I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you, and still an everlasting funeral marches round your heart. I cannot speak but I am doubted, every moment judged for lies, as though I come into a court when I come into this house!” (Miller 58) Proctor acts as if he has done no wrong and will not have a soft heart towards his wife who is doubtful after he committed

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1387 Words | 6 Pages

One of the biggest shocks people hear when it comes to the Crucible is that those characters were real, which makes the weight of their deaths that much heavier. A total of 20 people died in the Salem Witch Trials: 19 of them were hanged, and one was tortured to death by pressing; that person was Giles Corey. Not much is said about Giles Corey in the play, but it is said that actions speak louder than words, and that is true for him. When he refused to utter the names of others that might’ve been involved with witchcraft, he set himself up to be tortured to death and yet never said anything other than “more weight” (Miller, 207). Although he is a minor character, Giles Corey plays the role of an anti-hero, who not only displays probably the biggest act of bravery in the whole play, but also demonstrates the fact that although the judges were “learned and all-powerful”, a high education and obsession for power cannot silence the tenacity displayed by such a truthful character.

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914 Words | 4 Pages

Proctor doubts his goodness and constantly seeks forgiveness. This is evident when he says "I cannot mount the giblet like a saint, my honesty is broke elizebeth, I am no good man. When Proctor finally has the bravery to go to court, despite the risk of exposure, he breaks down under the pressure of Abigails power and denounces god in frustration. As a result of this he is arrested. In act four, Proctor's integrity outweighs his will to live.

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705 Words | 3 Pages

He defends his wife and tells the court that his wife fired Abigail because of their affair. When the court brought Elizabeth Proctor into the court and asked her about the affair she denied it. Even though she knew the affair was true she denied it because she didn’t know Proctor had confessed and wanted to take her husband’s name

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612 Words | 3 Pages

This is demonstrated in this excerpt, “Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang!” (Miller 143). This quote shows the audience he thinks he is worth nothing. Proctor undergoes a transformation where he retrieves his dignity and respect for himself.

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999 Words | 4 Pages

In order to save herself from extensive consequences when the society had found out about her eating of the chicken blood in the forest, she is forced to blame someone for her wrongdoing. With this, Tituba comes close to her death, as it is intolerable for any Puritan to take play in witchcraft or consult with the Devil. Abigail claims that Tituba always “comes to [her] while [she] sleep[s] [and that] she's always making [her] dream corruptions!” (44). Although this is untrue, the Devil is placed in a situation of crime, which raises his level of power, as he is the one who is known to force people into performing sinful acts when they are under his influence.

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