What Role Does Elizabeth Play In The Crucible

Words: 1543
Pages: 7
Open Document
It has just come to my attention that the person to your left, and your right and the person sitting in your seat are liars. We all lie, you can’t deny it, because it’s human nature. But would you now consider yourself a sinner because of one white lie you told? And would you confess to a lie, something you didn’t do, just because everyone believes you did it? Well once it was like this, in 1692 Salem, Massachusetts God was considered ‘the law’ and if you lied whether it was big or small you were destined to hell. I am Elecia Duly, and today, I will be discussing Arthur Miller’s play, ‘The Crucible’ and how Elizabeth Proctor, a major female role, deserves recognition for her heroic role in the play.

Arthur Miller wrote ‘The Crucible’ based …show more content…
Elizabeth doesn’t allow her judgment and thoughts to effect John’s decision when he is asked to sign the confession in Act IV. As a woman in the theocratic Salem society, Elizabeth has little to no visible power, however in ‘The Crucible’ the women’s power isn’t visible, it is the manipulation that they have over the men in order to get what they desire. Elizabeth takes her place next to John’s side and rather then manipulating him she ensures that her power is used for the good. This is evident particularly when she doesn’t allow herself to persuade John to make a specific decision, but instead she accepts what happens. “I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you. I never thought you but a good man, John [with a smile], only somewhat bewildered.” (Elizabeth Proctor, Act II, P.55). In this quote it can be seen just how much of a ‘good person’ Elizabeth is. Elizabeth accepts what happens as she has her own person power. She is a powerful woman who is understated within the play and deserves recognition for her heroic attributes. However, in Act III Elizabeth fights with herself and her power in the courtroom to decide whether or not to lie to defend John. During this emotion climax, Elizabeth knowledge of John’s actions becomes irrelevant and instead she lies to the court in hope to save her husband. However, she wasn’t aware of his prior confession to the act of lechery and puts herself in a position where the power that she possesses is in question. Despite her lie, Elizabeth acts with courage and strength to go against her moral code as she did. She allows her power to only affect herself and those around her in a positive way. Elizabeth deserves recognition for her ability to remain voiceless in times where her input is not needed, her strength and initiative allows
Show More

Related Documents: What Role Does Elizabeth Play In The Crucible

Women's Role In The Crucible Essay

Women’s Roles in The Crucible Women withhold many different types of personalities. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller portrays multiple different types of people through the characters of Mary Warren, Elizabeth Proctor, and Abigail Williams. As accusations of witchcraft start to circulate around Salem, the citizens begin to feel paranoid. The church does not take evidence; they just arrest anybody accused of this sin. Many women are in this story, but Miller focused on three of them, who all have very…

Words 593 - Pages 3

The Gallery Theater Review The Crucible

performance by The Gallery Theatre. “The Crucible” performed by the actors of The Gallery Theatre. The scenery of theatre wasn’t the best looking but after watching the performance you would you were at one of the best theatres. The actress and actor, Cyvanah Bryd - Eley who played Tituba and Steve Harders who played Thomas Putnam did a good job on showing the actions and emotions of the characters in the play, as so did all the actors/actresses in the play. The costumes were on point and on stage…

Words 482 - Pages 2

Mary Warren's Role In The Crucible

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…

Words 289 - Pages 2

John Proctor In The Crucible

John Proctor and His Motives in The Crucible Proctor was predestined to die. It was inevitable. Reading through The Crucible by Arthur Miller, one might see how this is true. The Crucible is formatted as a play, but the emotional aspects are described well enough to be a novel. As hero of this novel, Proctor must overcome his obstacles, and defeat the villain. The only way for these things to happen while Proctor is in jail is for him to die without confessing. To find this element, a reader truly…

Words 2043 - Pages 9

Essay Comparing The Crucible And A Streetcar Named Desire

character inner thoughts and feelings. Within the plays The Crucible by Arthur Miller and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams Miller creates more convincing characters through the internal debate that the individuals have. Firstly, looking at the alpha characters within the play, Stanley Kowalski and John Proctor in Streetcar and Crucible respectively Proctor can…

Words 913 - Pages 4

The Crucible John Proctor Analysis

The Crucible by Arthur Miller, which takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, has several dynamic characters in its story, however none that are more interesting than John Proctor and Mary Warren. John Proctor, a farmer, lives just outside of the town Salem where the story takes place. He, his wife and his three kids both live together in a small house, the common room of their house is where two takes place. Mary Warren, the Proctors servant, helps John Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth Proctor, take care…

Words 704 - Pages 3

John Proctor: A True Tragic Hero

character in the play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller. John Proctor is the tragic hero of the play because of his great qualities, but his few flaws that may have taken him downhill throughout the play. Despite his flaws, John Proctor was a hardworking man with noble qualities, that always stood firmly with what he believed. At the beginning of the play, Proctor’s character is made very clear by both the narrator and the dialogue he is involved in. When John Proctor enters the play in Act I, the…

Words 998 - Pages 4

Abigail Williams Manipulation

this essay, malicious manipulations, are all very particular intentions and feelings that Abigail Williams displays. In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, Abigail plays a crucial role as a vengeful trickster. A trickster, like Abigail, is a person who uses their abilities to gain success by going outside social norms and behaviors. Abigail shows no mercy on Elizabeth Proctor, constructs the Salem Witch Trials, and eventually deceives and lies to the entire town of Salem. All of this together has brought…

Words 822 - Pages 4

The Crucible John Proctor Rivalry Essay

In The Crucible by Arthur Miller in 1953 many rivalries and grudges came out due to the craziness in the time of the Salem witch trials. The main cause of rivalry is Abby Williams. Abigail Williams, a teenage girl, was a servant/maid for John and Elizabeth Proctor. Abby was released as their servant when Elizabeth discovers that Abby and John have had an affair. Ever since the affair, Abby has wanted Elizabeth out of the picture. Abigail has Tituba, the slave where she lives, put a curse on Elizabeth…

Words 645 - Pages 3

Abigail Williams: Comparing The Book And Movie

“Elizabeth Proctor is an envious, gossipy liar!” Shouted Abigail Williams. In the written-version of the play Abigail Williams isn’t portrayed as well as in the movie. Even though the book describes Abigail Williams, the movie shows an actual picture of her. Also, in the movie, it leaves no room for interpretation of Abigail, her real character is completely exposed where in the book you could assume many things about her character. The movie version of the crucible portrayed the characters better…

Words 417 - Pages 2