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The Conversation Between John And Elizabeth Proctor In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

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“The Crucible” is a play written by Arthur Miller about the Salem witch trials. Because the story takes place in a puritan society, sex or anything related to it is taboo, except between a husband and wife. This causes many problems throughout the course of the play. The lust the characters have for each other is one of the reasons for their hatred towards one another and their desire for revenge. It is the reason behind many of the convictions made in the play. Abigail’s actions were mainly the result of the affair she had with John Proctor. Because John Proctor rejected her she felt like used and hurt, Abigail also pretended to be angry with Elizabeth, saying to Proctor “She is blackening my name in the village! …show more content…

Elizabeth expresses to John that she might be partially responsible for the affair he had with Abigail. In act four Elizabeth says to Proctor “ I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.” (Miller 129) By this Elizabeth is saying that she didn’t show him the affection that she should have because she thought so poorly of herself, she states that she thought she was so plain, and poorly made that no one could truly ever love her. This is a huge change from the start of act two, where Proctor and Elizabeth sat at the dinner table and tried to engage in a conversation but are unable to for long because of the clear dissapoint that Elizabeth feels towards him, and the guilt and shame that Proctor is feeling. This contibutes to the idea that Proctors and Elizabeth’s repressed sexual feelings towards each other is one of the main causes of their marital issues. The taboo nature of sex in a Puritan society makes the court room a very difficult place for both John and Elizabeth Proctor, as well as the other residents of Salem that were tried and convicted. During the time of the trials Abigail stabs herself in the stomach with a needle after watching Mary Warren stick the needle she was using in the stomach of the poppet she later gave the Proctors in order to frame Elizabeth for witchcraft. Johnn Proctor

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In the mist of February 1692, the small Puritan village, Salem, was anything but upbeat with trepidation on the rise. As girls whom knew not of the consequences that laid behind their actions, they repeatedly shouted out the names of people whom displeased them. This resulted in turmoil and one of the vital characters came to light. John Proctor, a mere farmer, had built himself up to be a man of honor through his family and friends. Little did they know, Proctor had a secret life which is simply the beginning of his selfish demonstrations of his own morality.

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The Crucible is a 1953 play written by Arthur Miller. The story retells the truth of the Salem witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It all started when the group of girls was caught out dancing in the woods during the witching hour. The two youngest girls seemed to be showing signs of bewitchment. As a consequence Salem started charging the youngest of being a witch and coming in contact with Satan.

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Abigail is motivated by the lust she has for John Proctor to falsely accuse Elizabeth Proctor of practicing witchcraft. John Proctor had an affair behind Elizabeth Proctor's back and once she found out, she fired Abigail. Nonetheless, Abigail still yearns for John. On the other hand, John promised Elizabeth it would never happen again and he is devoted to her. In act one, after Reverend Parris, Abigail, Thomas Putnam, Susanna Walcott, Mercy Lewis, and Mary Warren finish talking about what has happened to Betty, John arrives.

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Proctor reveals his affair with Abigail to Danforth and the rest of the court to prove Abigail is not the perfect saint she wants everyone to believe. He says, “She thinks to dance with me on my wife’s grave! And well she might, for I thought of her softly. God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore’s vengeance, and you must see it now” (Miller 220-221) in an attempt to diminish Abigail’s reputation in the court system.

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In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the setting is Salem, Massachusetts during the late 1600s where the town’s pious Puritan beliefs directly influence their government. A 17-year-old girl named Abigail Williams had an affair with John Proctor, a wealthy, married man. Abigail is told by John to move on but instead, Abigail starts accusing the townspeople of witchcraft, including John Proctor’s wife Elizabeth. As this hysteria begins to rise, other people such as Thomas Putnam, a rich landowner, start to also allege Salem villagers. In this play, the author illustrates the central idea that people should not allow jealousy to control their actions.

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Likewise, when Elizabeth is brought before Danforth to verify Proctor’s confession, she lies to protect her husband, whom she refers to as a “goodly man,” from suspicion (Miller, 113). The affair may have caused Elizabeth to doubt Proctor but both parties still care deeply for each other and try to protect each other from harm. Even in his last moments, Proctor’s last words- “Show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it!”- were directed toward Elizabeth and were full of love and care (Miller, 144). Proctor may have sinned but his regret over his affair with Abigail and the trouble he had brought upon his wife justifies his

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In some way’s Reverend Hale’s return to Salem was to save the accused starting with John Proctor. In Author Miller’s Crucible, Reverend Hale believes if he can get Mr. Proctor to confess others who are accused will follow in his footsteps. Hale uses Elizabeth, Mr. Proctors wife to accomplish the convincing. John brings the matter to Elizabeth before she gets the chance to bring up the subject of matter. Sickening with fear, but faith inside her Elizabeth tells John to as he wishes.

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This affair was never fully proven, but Proctor did say, “Abby, I may think of you from time to time but I will cut off my hand before I’ll reach for you again” (Miller 1140). Abigail was madly in love with Proctor and wanted Elizabeth out of the picture so she could have Proctor all to her self. Abigail was very jealous of Elizabeth. She thought that if Elizabeth would die, she would get Proctor all to her self. She accused Elizabeth of being a “cold, sniveling woman”(Miller 1140).

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The Crucible by Arthur Miller, was a play full of drama, romance and crime. John Proctor tearing up his confession to recover his sense of goodness is a believable act. The reason beginning he doesn’t want to tarnish the reputations of the good christian men and women that died before him. John Proctor is a sinful man; he committed adultery, he plows on sundays, and he only goes to church once a month. Proctor says “Since we built the church there were pewter candlesticks upon the altar; Francis Nurse made them, y’know, and a sweeter hand never touched the metal.

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Destroying a confession to the courts is unimaginable. However if that confession was fabricated to save face it would be thrown out of the courts. In the case of John Proctor in The Crucible by Arthur Miller, he takes matters of the courts into his own hands and does away with his fickle confession. Many wonder why he would throw away his one bargaining chip at receiving mercy. The reason why, as it always is when you come down to the nature of men, is he wanted to die.

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Abigail seeked out venges against John Proctor therefore targeting his wife. In her head she decided that if she couldn’t be with John then no one else could. Abigail saw that the people were afraid, vulnerable and took advantage of the situation to try and save herself. She was afraid that the public will find about her affair with John Proctor, and about the witchcraft that happened that night in the forest.

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When people think of the play, “The Crucible”, they usually picture the witch trials and women being hanged, but Arthur Miller depicts the witch trials in a completely new light. He shows through a story that the witch trials were much more than just people calling others witches. There was deceit, pain, greed, and more. Through the play, we follow the character, Abigail, observe her actions and their consequences. We witness the lives of people she impacts, what happens to them, and how many times she lies to get her way.

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Abigail 's heartless attitude is shown in act two when she frames and accuses Elizabeth Proctor for witchcraft. She desired and longed for this revenge on poor Proctors innocent wife, aiming for her through out the play. Later on in Act Three she seems to lose her last attachment of society by destroying John Proctor, who she claims to love with all her heart. When John attempts and threatens to expose Abigail’s wrong doings, she skillfully manages to turn the whole problem around on him, sending him off

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Here, Elizabeth points out that Abigail’s false accusation of her was motivated by Abigail’s jealousy. Another motive would be the potential gain she could get from Elizabeth’s death. Abigail lusts for John and wishes that she could be his wife instead of Elizabeth, which is why she envies her. Abigail's Lust for John and Envy for Elizabeth instigates her wrath for Elizabeth

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Although Elizabeth was not the best wife at some moments, she loved her husband so much that she lied for him. When questioned by Danforth if Proctor committed lechery she said faintly “No, sir” (Miller 113). Elizabeth lies for the first time to save her husband because she is loving and cares about him. Although Elizabeth is not truthful, she protects her values by doing what she feels is right for her husband. Abigail is revengeful throughout the play at Elizabeth.

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