What are some principles or beliefs that you are willing to die for? Most people would answer with something very meaningful and significant to them. The play “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller portraits how important principles may be. Hale, a character in the play, states that “No principle, however glorious is worth dying for”. His statement and opinion is wrong.
In the movie, The Crucible, the Salem Witch Trials and their effects are highlighted. It begins in the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Reverend Parris, the town minister, discovers his daughter, Betty, his niece, Abigail, and other girls dancing in the forest with his slave Tituba. Betty faints and does not wake up due to the shock and fear of being discovered. The villagers suspect witchcraft and gather at Parris 's house.
Lying can either make or break a person. It affects the outcomes and events that are given to the deceiver, and that individual has to live with the lies’ consequences. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the act of dishonest actions actions impacts the characters’ thoughts and decisions through the manipulation of fear and choice, whether to be truthful or not. The citizens in Salem, Massachusetts call themselves Puritans, a group of Protestants of the 16th century known for withholding a religious aspect. Even with their Puritan background, the hysteria of witchcraft seems to break through and consume their beliefs.
Vacuous Danforth replies to Abigail’s expression of “hurt” feelings: “weakening: Child, I do not mistrust you-” (Page 108). Subsequently, Danforth’s stupidity and “weakness” resulted in the horrific death of more than 20 innocent humans. As a result, trust was betrayed, justice was mocked and the essence of decency became obscure. The events projected in The Crucible represent the epitome of human nature without rational restrictions.
There are many points in our lives in which we may be forced to make decisions that may prove to define us as a person. In some cases, these choices can impact those around us as well as ourselves, though not always for their benefit. When ones moral integrity is brought into question by others in exchange for their life, they must then make a decision upon whether they value their personal and social honour or their own life more, which may cause them to succumb to hasty decision making, which could lead to their demise, or the possible harming of others. This reality of life is evident in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and comes to light in a multitude of situations, and in both aspects of the hypothetical decision; with characters choosing
The Culminating Writing Task In The Crucible Arthur Miller illustrates the weight of lies and jealousy throughout the play. Abigail Williams, a seventeen year old girl whose obsession with John Proctor, a married man lost love for her. Throughout the play the character, setting, and plot help readers understand the theme in the play. Miller demonstrates the central idea that lies and jealousy destroyed the town of Salem by letting Abby and other people in the town accuse innocent people of witchcraft.
In Arthur MIller’s play “The Crucible”, Thomas Putnam conveys the theme that “Jealousy and greed can be very destructive”. This is because Putnam’s character is constant throughout the entire play. He is an arrogant and envious, older man who is willing to go to extreme measures to get his way and to obtain his selfish desires. Due to Putnam’s actions of extreme methods to obtain his selfish desires, he invites a large amount of chaos in the small town of Salem,Massachusetts all while into his own and many others lives. Putnam’s character conveys the theme that “ Jealousy and greed can be very destructive” because of his arrogant nature and attitude.
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it-- always.” This quote by Mahatma Gandhi reveals the theme of this amazing story, love prevails. Throughout this book, The Crucible, relationships are put into question, characters are questioned on their honesty, and the community as a whole is shown everyone's real morals.
High standards of morality can be considered dangerous because they raise the expectations of peers for one another. We see this warning of extremism in the reactions of the people. When the very thought of witchcraft being involved is brought about by the actions of Abigail Parris, Betty Parris, and others, the townspeople run with it (Miller 9). Also, despite not being 100% sure or having absolute damning evidence, Mr. Putnam says that Tituba, a suspected witch, should be hanged (44). The very beliefs of Puritanism are that one must be perfect.
The richness of El Paso, Texas relies on the vast diversity observed in each one of its citizens, which has opened the way for El Paso to develop as a multicultural city. Emigration has been one of the main factors that has diversified El Paso’s cultural background, citizens from all over the world have landed a foot over American territory and have made it theirs, several nationalities, several races, one community, one El Paso. Emigration has also caused the expansion of a plethora of traditions across the area, which has made El Paso’s culture an indispensable resource of the state of Texas. A diverse country, state or city is the one that values the difference in people and therefore recognizes that people with different backgrounds,
When people are in a group, they feel more anonymous, and less likely to be caught doing something wrong. A concept that Arthur Miller shows clearly in The Crucible. According to the article this causes people to feel superior and untouchable. As the “grouping” article states “They may also feel a diminished sense of personal responsibility for collective actions.” Because of a person’s fear of being responsible for wrong doing, indulging in such groups makes them feel as though they will not be caught or they feel seemingly invincible from penalty.
In Arthur Miller's play, dignity and reflection of one's self plays an important role in what makes up a person's character. Through John Proctor's actions and words, Miller's element of tragedy that emphasizes laying down one's life for personal dignity is demonstrated in The Crucible as people will go any extent to accomplish their desires and fight for their beliefs, despite the consequences because they are trying to protect who they are. Tragedy lies within
Goodness and nobility is determined by an individual’s morality and their willingness to follow a virtuous path in their life. It is also determined by the ability of an individual to acknowledge their shortcomings and become more self-aware. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor is a good man as he showcases righteous morals and principles. This is shown, as he ends his affair with Abigail, protects his wife and his friends’ wives, and dies to preserve his integrity and honour. First, John Proctor shows his goodness, by refusing the physical advances of Abigail, who wishes to continue their love affair.
People tend to force the ideas of morals to be more black-and-white than they are. It is easier for people to pick out “good and bad guys” for the sake of simplicity, even with situations that call for otherwise. A great example of complex and conflicting morals in a story can be found in Arthur Miller’s historical fiction play, The Crucible. The situations and conflicts in the play can often be misinterpreted, leading to the readers’ misconceptions about how the hysteria should have been handled throughout the story. In the play, the character Reverend Hale, while thought of as a leading instigator of the chaos in Salem, actually does not have the power to change what happens.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play which contains a multitude of complex characters . In the play, the characters’ motivations and inner processes are explored. Because of the historical setting, the characters live in a society of judgement and extreme religious devotion. This is a factor that places any of the characters’ choices and morals in a public balance to be judged by others. Abigail Williams is the main character of the play and acts with an utter selfishness and obsession.
