This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. She puts on a fake front to get what she wants, ultimately creating a persona thats even worse than that of the hypocrites she criticizes. The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The narrator tells the audience that there is very little good to be said of him (Miller 1100), yet as a minister the people of the town look to him to be a pious religious leader. They're also revealed though events in the plot. In Act 2, the value of reputation in Salem starts to butt heads with the power of hysteria and fear to sway peoples opinions (and vengeance to dictate their actions). It is not just, (Miller 129). We saw that Arthur Miller used the Puritans in The Crucible to explore the themes, or main ideas of a text, in order to make the statement that society can be hypocritical and that we should question intentions. He chooses to die instead of providing a false confession because he doesnt think life will be worth living after he is so disgraced. MPP friends writing about life, love, and everything else in between together. These types of statements made by Hale earlier in the play become even more ironic in Act 4 when he realizes he made a horrible mistake by trusting the evidence that was presented to him. She is a sensible, saintly old woman who chooses to martyr herself rather than lie and confess to witchcraft. One of humanity's biggest flaws is that people would do anything to help themselves. 91). Parris begs Danforth to postpone their hangings because he fears for his life if the executions proceed as planned. Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. He wrote the play as an allegory of McCarthyism, when the US government discriminated communists. Danforth is the governor of Massachusetts who thinks of himself as a fair man. 73), meaning the girls are testing out the extent of the chaos they can create with their newfound power. When the petition testifying to the good character of the accused women is presented, the reaction from Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris is to arrest the people who signed it rather than considering that this might indicate that the women are innocent. Essay questions that ask about themes in this straightforward way can be tricky because there's a temptation to speak in vague terms about the theme's significance. The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. Tituba is conscious that she is in danger, she is also very frightened because her slave sense has warned her that, as always, trouble in this house eventually lands on her back (Miller, pg. | 2 When she cant get John to abandon Elizabeth for her, she decides to take matters into her own hands and gain control through manipulating the fears of others. Abigail also shows concern for her reputation. There are two examples of Ad hominem from The Crucible in Act 2 and Act 3. She attended church regularly and was the embodiment of how a Puritan woman should behave. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. The first is that she is looking to escape . The Judge forcing people to lie to save their lives he cant see the wrong hes doing. Elizabeth doesnt realize that John is willing to sacrifice his reputation to save her life. 67). A theme is a central topic that is addressed by a work of literature. He is appalled by Elizabeths lack of emotion when he asks her to help the court get a confession out of her husband (pg. 118). 133). The irony is that, in the face of Johns rejection, Abigail turns around and creates her own lies soon after that give her increased control over the society she resents. Throughout the play, Miller is introducing multiple characters that experience changes in their decisions and negatively influence more people eventually leading up to the witch trials. The attitudes towards women in the 1950s, when the play was written, are evident in the roles they're given. Arthur Miller speaks of Reverend Parris, stating: ''until this strange crisis he, like the rest of Salem, never conceived that the children were anything but thankful for being permitted to walk straight, eyes slightly lowered, arms at the sides, and mouths shut until bidden to speak.''. The town suspected her of lewd dealings, so she was put to death for it. Parris initially insists that there are no unnatural causes for Bettys illness because he fears that he will lose favor with the townspeople if witchcraft is discovered under his roof. Danforth has extensive pride in his intelligence and perceptiveness. Themes can be expressed in many different ways. Shes not a traditionally accepted target like the others (except in her susceptibility as a woman to the misogyny that runs rampant in the play). He's already accepted her testimony as evidence, so he is happy for any excuse to believe her over John and Mary.John finally comes to the realization that Mary's truthful testimony cannot compete with the hysteria that has taken hold of the court. Though the play is fictional, the characters are named after real people who lived in Salem during that time. Recall that hypocrisy is when someone's actions don't match up with the professed values. Here are a few questions about hysteria to consider now that you've read a summary of how this theme was expressed throughout the plot of the play: Even though there is significant reason to believe Abigail is lying about Elizabeth's familiar spirit stabbing her, the frenzied investigators ignore testimony that challenges their chosen witchy narrative. Elizabeth notes that Mary's demeanor is now like that of the daughter of a prince (pg. John attempts to crush his guilt instead of facing it, which only ends up making it an even more destructive factor in his life. When this fallacy is used, the unrealistic characteristic is undesirable, causing the other person to look bad. This is taken as evidence that things are really getting out of control ("if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing's left to stop the whole green world from burning." These people are the only ones who refuse to throw out false accusations or lie about involvement in witchcraft, so they find themselves condemned (this is the fate of Rebecca Nurse). How do the witch trials empower individuals who were previously powerless? Though a character can have significant moral flaws, they can be wise enough to recognize their flaws and change their ways. The Crucible is commonly viewed as an allegorical representation of the communist "witch hunts" conducted in the 1950s. Theme 3: Reputation. It helped me pass my exam and the test questions are very similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com. In this act, we learn more details about the accused that paint a clearer picture of the influence of reputation and social standing on the patterns of accusations. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in. He insists,I am not empowered to trade your life for a lie (pg. So, she decides to manipulate the situation by saying that the Devil has come to her and she has resisted his commands to kill Mr. Parris. In one of the most well-known quotes in the play, John Proctor angrily insists that the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom (pg. She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. What is the writer attempting to convey to the viewer? This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. This lie essentially condemns both of them. She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. Ironically, though she is normally honest to a fault, in this situation Elizabeth decides to lie to preserve Johns reputation, not knowing he has already confessed. Why does Mary Warren warn John about testifying against Abigail? "(3-84), since Danforth is in power for being the judge he thinks that everyone else is ignorant and not being equal as him. Rebecca Nurse, a woman whose character was previously thought to be unimpeachable, is accused and arrested. It's atoxic strategy that causes panic to spread quickly and fear for ones life to take the place of rationality. In Act 1 he jumped on board with the hysteria to preserve his power, but he ended up losing what little authority he had in the first place (and, according to Miller's afterward, was voted out of office soon after the end of the play). This is irony of the same type that I discussed in the overview of this theme. Elizabeth is defined by her relationship to John, and Mary is pushed around by other characters (mostly men) throughout the play. This is ironic because, Once the accusations begin, Parris initiates an ironic thought process that persists throughout. 71). How does reputation influence who is first accused of witchcraft? This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. What are their strengths and personal flaws? This leads to Marys hysterical accusation of Proctor after she finds herself targeted by the other girls and about to be consumed by the hysteria herself if she doesnt contribute to it. Explain the irony of Hales position at the end of the play as compared to his actions at the beginning. A professor tells us that he has a strict rule about cell phones in the classroom, then he answers it midway through his own lecture. A Comprehensive Guide. Jennifer has taught high school English for eight years and has a master's degree in curriculum and assessment. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. Is hypocrisy a natural human flaw? The authorities ignore any inconvenient logical objections to the proceedings because they, too, are swept up in the madness. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. Of course, we know that Danforth has been trading peoples lives for lies this whole time. This immaculate proof that has led him to sign numerous death warrants is nothing but the fabrications of teenage girls and other townspeople seeking petty revenge. Because, the people of Salem will find out about the affair, this would weaken his reputation. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. Proctor, a score of people have already testified they saw [Rebecca Nurse] with the Devil (pg. The most substantial female character is Abigail, who is portrayed as a devious and highly sexualized young woman. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. By the end of class, you should be able to: Identify basic elements of McCarthyism, including the following terms: Hypocrisy is just one of many personality traits along many spectrums. In The Crucible many examples of hypocrisy are shown. The fact that he forgets only this commandment shows that he is trying extremely hard to repress his guilt. The turmoil in Salem is propelled forward by desires for revenge and power that have been simmering beneath the town's placid exterior. The classic example of an incorrect use of irony is in Alanis Morisette's song "Ironic" when she says that "rain on your wedding day" is an example of irony. Tituba, the slave of Reverend Parris, is the first to admit to dancing with the devil. In addition to grubbing for a few extra pounds every year, Parris makes a show out of needing golden candlesticks for the altar to replace the pewter ones that have served the church since it was built. The play loosely follows the tale of Salem and how the trials came to pass. Other essay questions may not ask you directly about the themes listed in this article, but that doesn't mean that the themes are irrelevant to your writing. For example, Bridget Bishop dressed in red, a color that was abhorrent in the Puritan eyes. Tituba is pressured to confess and name the names of other witches to avoid execution, which leads to Abigail and Bettys accusations, now validated by a coerced confession. Danforth continues to demonstrate the effects of hysteria in act 4 even after things have died down a bit in Salem and there have been rumblings of discontent about the courts actions. Johns concern for his reputation is strong throughout the play, and his hesitation to reveal Abigails true nature is a product of his own fears of being labeled an adulterer. Danforth insists that John must know more about the Devil's dealings than he has revealed. The prisoners have lost all faith in earthly authority figures and look towards the judgment of God. Now that you've read about the most important themes in The Crucible, check out ourlist of every single character in the play, including brief analyses of their relationships and motivations. The second major theme in The Crucible (and one that teachers often ask about) is fear and hysteria. This confess or die mindset is one of the central ironies of the play. Fear that spread among a group of people in Salem during the Salem Witch Trials, that event in history is a prime example of Mass Hysteria. No one thinks a teenage orphan girl is capable of such extensive deception (or delusion), so she is consistently trusted. 42). Miller himself was blacklisted for refusing to testify in front of the HUAC, a committee that was created to investigate any person who might be a communist. This is taken as evidence that things are really getting out of control ("if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing's left to stop the whole green world from burning." Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. When he starts to realize he continues to avoid people from getting mad at him for putting innocent people in jail and killing them. I have not seen a single politician who isnt a hypocrite. Historical Context. There are several ironies in Act 1 that center around Abigail Williams. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? 61). All rights reserved. Salem is under attack from the hysteria that is encouraged by the same people who seek to keep imaginary supernatural demons at bay. Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. 50). She openly threatens Danforth for even entertaining Mary and John's accusations of fraud against her. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible 16 is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. Hypocrisy: A Human Flaw
John and Rebeccas solid reputations lead to pushback against their executions even though people were too scared to stand up for them in the midst of the trials. Abigails many deceptions are sometimes laughably ironic as she chastises others for lying even as she is spinning falsehoods. "She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris's house tonight, and without word nor warnin' she falls to the floor. While it does provide an entertaining experience at face value, the true literary genius behind the work is Miller's . The Crucible presents a view of women that essentially reduces them to caricatures of human beings that are defined by their roles as mothers, wives, and servants to men. Hypocrisy is not simply failing to practice those virtues that one preaches, or known as saying one thing but doing another. 22). Arthur Millers portrayal of a town in the midst of a downfall The Crucible, tells the story of how mob mentality and hysteria can significantly influence not only individuals but the whole town. 133). Hale truly believes that the accused have been marked by the Devil. Abigail is told by John to move on but instead, Abigail starts accusing the townspeople of witchcraft, including John Proctors wife Elizabeth. It's one thing to understand the major themes in The Crucible, and it's another thing completely to write about them yourself. Danforth makes a shocking argument defending the way the trials have been conducted, insisting that only the victims testimony can serve as reliable evidence in this type of trial. In fact, we've all seen hypocrisy in our daily lives. It caused many people, in Salem during this event to think fast, rash and jump to conclusions. Though actions are often motivated by fear and desires for power and revenge, they are also propped up by underlying worries about how a loss of reputation will negatively affect characters' lives. The play is about human weakness, hypocrisy, and vindictiveness. In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 Interestingly, she was the first woman put to death in the trials. What makes Danforth so unwilling to consider that the girls could be pretending? In another section, Miller explains the teachings of the Puritans and how it related to the mess that the trials became: ''These people had no ritual for the washing away of sins. How is Millers underlying message revealed in one of these themes and through the character?". How do the actions of authority figures encourage the girls to continue their accusations and even genuinely believe the lies theyre telling? The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. The desire to preserve and gain power pervadesThe Crucible as the witch trials lead to dramatic changes in which characters hold the greatest control over the course of events. They so fear the devilish consequences of challenging the accusers that theyre willing to take them at their word and ignore any defenses the accused have to offer. The court refuses to challenge anyone who claims to have been afflicted. She continues to act under the assumption that his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, and she does not reveal the affair. (pg. Parris is hypocritical because he is not a . Flaws in Human Reasoning Create a Tragic Figure One tragedy is a result of numerous conflicts and wrongdoings. Deception is a major driving force inThe Crucible. 22). She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. Hypocrisy is shown between the characters: Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and Hale. Proctor is infuriated. He believes there is a group of people in town determined to remove him from this position, and. Rebecca Nurse's accusation further demonstrates the hypocrisy in the play. The people who preside over the trials are corrupt. The accused people of Salem are all innocent and have nothing to do with neither witchcraft nor convening with the devil. Tituba is pressured to confess and name the names of other witches to avoid execution, which leads to Abigail and Bettys accusations, now validated by a coerced confession. They could either confess to being guilty and is punished and put into jail or deny any relationship with the devil and be hanged and killed. It is part of our carnal nature to hold others to a higher standard than our own. What Are The Human Flaws In The Crucible 1560 Words | 7 Pages. Well, it's not. I propose that each and every one of us is, or at some time has been, guilty of hyopcrisy. She also ran the local tavern. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. Greed is a sin in the Puritan religion, so the people who supported the accusations were indeed hypocrites. These two institutions fuse together in The Crucible to actively encourage accusers and discourage rational explanations of events. These hypocritical actions take away from the authority of the person or people committing them. When she is brought in for questioning and claims to see Marys familiar spirit, she says Envy is a deadly sin, Mary.Abigail herself has acted out of envy for the entire play. Will you confess yourself with him? (pg. The town slips further and further into chaos and paranoia until it reaches a point of total devastation. Hypocrisy is "the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform". This attitude comes from a man who has shown no remorse for condemning people to death throughout the play. The play takes place in the city of Salem, a city filled with people that would do anything to keep their reputation clean. No one considers that the accusers are lying, partially because theyre seen as innocent children and partially because many witches confess to avoid the death penalty. Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!" Abigails presence is always rife with irony in. In the next few sections,I'll take a look at a group of broad themes inThe Crucible, including irony, hysteria, reputation, and power. Lying- Explain why the girls are more willing to lie . Will you confess yourself with him? (pg. By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. The town, already primed with rumors of black magic, is quickly willing to accept that the first few women who are accused are involved in black magic because theyre beggars and slaves. mariana enriquez biography is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. Explain who you believe is the central tragic character in the play. Do you not know that God damns all liars? John tells the judge to summon Elizabeth to back him up because he knows she always tells the truth. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? The evidence used in the Salem Witch Trials further demonstrates the hypocrisy in the Puritan times. This well-intentioned mistake seals both of their fates. John feels incredibly ashamed of his affair with Abigail, so he tries to bury it and pretend it never happened. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller many people panicked from the witch hysteria which caused many to be accused of being witches, Judge Danforth decided what happens to the accused witches and is the most corrupted in Salem because his power of being a judge made him go overboard with his decisions on people. In today's society no one want to hear about something they fear, they would rather it be left alone than try to understand it. Being a person, from Latin persona ("mask", per and soneo - "resound") means precisely "being a mask . Though Rebecca Nurse's involvement has already been corroborated by other confessors, Danforth demands to hear it from John to confirm that John is fully committed to renouncing his supposed ties to Satan. When the petition testifying to the good character of the accused women is presented, the reaction from Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris is to arrest the people who signed it rather than considering that this might indicate that the women are innocent. The Crucible is not only a dramatization of . John Proctor is the tragic hero because he is loving, loyal, authoritative, but his tragic flaw is his . Ironically, he is the first to demand a confession from Tituba based on Abigail's dramatic but false testimony. Miller accomplishes this through almost, if not every character in the story. Miller accomplishes this through almost, if not every character in the story. Thomas Putnam who has grudges against the people of Salem, and Abigail is a shameless liar who leads the accusations against the people of Salem. No one thinks a teenage orphan girl is capable of such extensive deception (or delusion), so she is consistently trusted. In this environment, whoever yells the loudest seems to get the most credibility. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. He is completely oblivious to the fact that the victims might be lying. Here are some discussion questions to consider after reading about the thematic role of the concepts of power and authority in the events of the play: Mary Warren when she comes back from Salem in Act 2.