A concealed theme of reputation is exposed in “The Crucible”, writes Gemma Galovic
A symbol of “The Crucible”
The preservation of one’s reputation in today’s modern world immensely contributes to the struggle for identifying one’s true being. In “The Crucible”, Miller explores what transpires when people allow others to be the judge of their conscience, which has been stressed in Hytner’s film adaptation. The events take place in 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts, which is a Puritan society, where people live in extremely restrictive conditions. As established in “The Crucible”, Salem is a rigid society that emphasizes the suppression of individual desires.
The concern for reputation was utilized to produce false accusations …show more content…
Miller depicts Proctor as a man whose personal principles of courage and honesty ultimately guide his actions. Proctor’s desire to keep his good name prompts him to make the heroic decision to die. “I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” (p 130) represents his redemption with integrity, rather than his concern for reputation. Miller’s version of Proctor is what Hytner captures in the film. There is a sense of morality around Proctor which Hytner captures with mid-range shots and zoomed in angles that track his movement. Thus, Hytner successfully captures Proctor as a man who struggles between protecting himself and his …show more content…
The poppet represents a human that can be harmed through manipulation, whilst the title itself is symbolic in that it represents something that withstands heat. Under great pressure, Proctor’s true character reveals his goodness. The Salem community reaches a melting point when they realize the paranoia of the trials. The trinity of death, where Proctor is central, reinforces the connection with a beleaguered Christ. It symbolises that his death is less atonement for any earlier sin than a martyrdom to help Salem regain sanity, rather than contributing to the struggle