Reverend Parris, still in shock that his daughter would be stricken by the devil, wonders why the devil would choose a preacher’s home as his place for invasion. In response, Hale says the following; “What victory would the devil have to win a soul already bad? It is the best the devil wants, and who is better than the minister?” (Miller, 41). Americans had much to fear in regard to communism; restrictions of free speech, deprivation of private property, restrictions of free press, and the presence of false judicial systems, just to name a few. With this in mind, the common attitude in the United States was, as it continues to be today, that communism is evil manifest in a government.
This whole incident leads into who is the tragic hero in this play, Reverend Hale or John Proctor? John Proctor, married to Elizabeth Proctor has an affair with a young girl by the name of Abigail Williams. Reverend Hale is called in on a case to solve the witch trials and try to find the Devil in Salem and destroy him! I know who looks like the hero in this play, but we can never be too sure. In my opinion it’s the other way around and
When Proctor returned continues to testify against his wife’s accusation, he becomes overwhelmed by the girl’s façade, along with Mary’s and Danforth’s accusations against him about him being a liar. Out of anger, Proctor storms from the court in a feeble attempt to maintain his reputation as a truthful man. In doing such, he exclaims, “God is dead…a fire is burning!” (Miller 111) Proctor’s exclamation against the court late in Act III, only emphasizes the injustice Proctor believes is evident in Salem, and that there is a direct parallel among the trials, fire/ Satan, and the nonexistence of God. These very parallels Later, Proctor is imprisoned for his actions and chooses to avoid death by signing a confession which he knows to be false. As both Danforth and the judges oppress over him, Proctor cannot bring himself to sign, and ultimately leads himself to his own death.
Rebecca is a woman of experience and knows how one must behave in such situations. What signs are there that resentments and jealousies will lead to scapegoating and accusations? When Putman is arguing over the land where the firewood was cut down is an obvious sign there is much resentment and petty arguments. Why is the devil so feared in Salem? What points does the playwright make about the Christian division of the world into good and evil?
The townsfolk of Salem feared having their own reputations tainted by the sins of others, that they distant themselves and even accused others in order to protect or promote their respective reputations. During time of hysteria, old grudges and jealousies flared, adding to the atmosphere of tension. 4. Characters Transformation: John Proctor (Protagonist) - John Proctor sees himself as a strong, stern, honest man except for one affair incident with Abigail that haunts him. Early in the play, he could’ve prevented the spread of the hysteria by testifying against Abigail’s accusations.
Elizabeth sees his inner goodness shine when he refuses to lie about being involved in witchcraft, and she realizes how unfair she has been. John Proctor saves the lives of the others who are accused when he unselfishly declines to save his own. He acts as a martyr when he places others before himself. He would rather die an honorable death than live a dishonorable life, which is what precedes him to be the tragic hero of the play. John Proctor, being a very complex character stuck in a world full mischief, madness, and chaos shows a major change as the play unfolds.
The Crucible The theme jealousy can destroy lives is shown through the actions of Abigail Williams affects Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor and herself. “This can’t work anymore, I love someone else.” Hearing these words can affect many people’s lives, causing them to hurt others around them.” “The Crucible” was written in 1953 by Arthur Miller. The play is about the witch trials that took place in Salem Massachusetts; where many innocent people were accused of witchcraft. Abigail’s actions sent Elizabeth to jail, but also cause John his freedom and life. At the end of act four Proctor refuses to give his name to the court, he clearly stated that he had already gave himself in and told them that he was a man of the devil and that they couldn’t take his name, because that’s the only thing he had left.
This denouncement of Mr. Putnam brought down an accusation upon his wife. He then stands strong against the court and brings forth a deposition, written by him, to help him free his wife. Contained within this deposition was the testimony of an unnamed individual within the community pointing out Thomas Putnam’s malicious motives to accuse his neighbors of witchcraft and buy their land after they had had there land auctioned off by the local government. Danforth then turns to Giles and asks who this person was. With the knowledge that this innocent man would then be accused of witchcraft as well, the courageous Giles refuses to reveal this innocent man’s name.
Hawthorne’s background and his stories include the puritanism. In “Young Goodman Brown” it demonstrates about the devil, supernatural power, witches and family. Brown sees the most respected members of his religious community are suspected as devils and has supernatural powers, including his own wife Faith. When he returns village next day, he cannot bear to look at those villagers the same way. Brown fails to recognize the humanity as happens in witch trials were judges fails to find the meaning of humanity.
It is about a town, after accusations from a few girls, which begins a mad hunt for witches that did not exist. Many townspeople were hung on charges of witchcraft. Miller brings out the absurdity of the incident with the theme of truth and righteousness. The theme is conveyed through the struggles of Miller’s main character, John Proctor. The main characters are Reverend Hale, John Proctor, and Elizabeth Proctor.