The Effect of Fear in Salem In theocratic Salem, reputation directly impacted and played a significant role in the way the inhabitants of Salem conducted themselves. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, numerous characters thought out and centered their actions surrounding the desires to enhance and protect their own reputation with the purpose to maintain perception in the best light possible. Both Abigail and John Proctor’s actions were caused by fear that was inflicted by the ruling theocracy…
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In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the lack of truth propels the hysteria surrounding the Salem witch trials. The initial conflict arises when Abigail Williams makes accusations against the people of Salem, Massachusetts. However, the lies told by the accused incriminate them further. The consequences that the characters face as a result of their deception, attests to Miller’s belief that lies, regardless of the intention, do not warrant justification. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller suggests that choosing…
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Reputation Rip-Off? 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…
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Characters had to make very hard decisions that will be important to the plot. In the Crucible, weakness, courage, and truth, play a significant role in the outcome of this play. One character that demonstrates weakness in the Crucible is Mary Warren. She lied on John when they were both in the courtroom because she thought everyone was going to turn on her. Mercy Lewis should have stood up for what she knows was actually right but instead she lies on John. The impact of Mercy Lewis decision on…
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Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, follows the lives of the residents of Salem as they attempt to fight their way through the confusion and hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. The protagonist, John Proctor, is easily the tragic hero of the play—he lets his prideful attitude and fear of the public opinion influence his actions, essentially prolonging Abigail Williams’ jealousy-induced reign over the innocent townspeople of Salem. Yet, despite his many mistakes, manages to reveal to the audience…
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because they do not technically lie; their character must reflect honesty as well. The Crucible by Arthur Miller reveals how one person’s honesty and actions can affect a community as a whole. One character who demonstrates this is Abigail Williams. Abigail Williams is a compulsive liar. She uses lies to get what she wants, even though her schemes usually backfire. Her capacity for lying is limitless. Abigail’s schemes and lying affect the overall community of Salem. Abigail Williams is by far the…
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The Crucible Character Analysis John Proctor is, in the beginning of the play, a guilty man in hiding, by the end of the play he has obtained a freedom that comes with his confession, and by this he hopes to disrupt Abigail Williams, and her vengeance driven schemes. From John’s first appearance in the play he is put on a respective pedestal, and he is put there because of his logical, not necessarily educated, intelligence. The author undoubtedly puts John Procter in the play with a newer…
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Some people may defend Abigail’s character and claim that she is the victim. When she was young, Abigail witnessed her parents being killed by Native Americans. She was then forced to go live with her abusive uncle, Reverend Parris, who could care less about her. He was a terrible role model for Abigail, and the only thing he was concerned about was upholding his reputation. Although Abigail had a bad past, it shouldn’t be an excuse for her despicable actions. She is directly responsible for…
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In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, Abigail Williams portrays the three character flaws of lust, envy, and selfishness, which leads her to be responsible for a majority of the tragedy taken place in the play. Miller’s character developement of Abigail throughout the play strengthens these flaws, adding to the overall death toll of the fact-based witch-hunts in the play. A character flaw Abigail Williams has in The Crucible is lust. After having an affair with John Proctor, Abigail longs for…
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Before the reading version could be published, Arthur Miller promptly removed Act 2 Scene 2 from his The Crucible. He never gave any reason as to why and many have speculated over the years since its release. The scene is set in the woods at nighttime, with John Proctor and Abigail Williams. It is Proctor’s last plea to Abigail before he tries to speak against…
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