Multimodal Speech Analysis Power has influenced society throughout time and is acquired through knowledge, a patriarchal society, monarchy, a family name, birth right, reputation or placement within social hierarchy. This has been revealed in various ways through texts such as The Crucible. A good name or reputation can influence, empower and determine how much respect a family or person gets from others. The Crucible was written by Arthur Miller and was set in the Massachusetts town of Salem in 1692. Salem was a theocratic and patriarchal society. Miller presents the concepts of gender, roles, relationships and conflicts through the two main characters; Abigail Williams and Reverend Parris. This seminar will discuss how these concepts relate …show more content…
Abigail defies the trends of the time, being able to manipulate her good name and her femininity to get what she wants. “There be no blush about my name.” (Abigail Williams Act1 P.20) Abigail has an entirely innocent name, symbolized by the colour white which represents purity and there being no stain on her name. She uses this and her gender as a young woman to get what she wants, drawing power from it and enabling her to manipulate her position in the town. Abigail and her friends’ good name in the town as innocent girls helped them convict people easily as no one doubted their reputations. This is how Miller positions his audience to recognise Abigail's power and defiance to society's expectations of the conduct of young …show more content…
Prior to the early action in the play the only besmirching of Abigail’s name are the rumours of her secret relationship with John Proctor and this sparks conflict between her and Goody Proctor. “You are now seven month out of their house, and in all this time no other family has ever called for your service.” (Reverend Parris Act1 P.20) The conflict between her and Elizabeth destroyed her reputation as a house maid. This expresses how much a good reputation is for this time as one mistake that may not even be true can “soil” (Reverend Parris Act1 P.20) someone’s