( O'Connor 194). It is possible that the Misfit had a rough childhood and could have been abused by his father; the reason why he murdered him. He mentally suppressed the incident and believed that he was wrongfully punished for what he had done; "ain't recalled it till this day" "'I call myself the Misfit, because I can't make what all I done wrong fit what all I gone through in punishment'" (O' Connor 195) His mentality of unjust treatment is what caused the Misfit to treat all others with ill intent. This Misfit also shows signs of anxiety when he states that "children make me nervous." Suggesting that not only his father but other adults were unkind to him as a child as well, so he does not know how to handle the presence of children.
Because of the fear of witches, people tried to protect themselves by sending anyone slightly untrustworthy to jail or to Gallows Hill. Centuries later Senator Joseph McCarthy, like Abigail Williams spread fear. Unlike Abigail, McCarthy spread fear about communism during the Second Red Scare. McCarthy started by creating
As a character, Andrew Beckett seems naive about going public with his condition and his sexual orientation. The fear relates to social stigmatization that is later shone by such people as Miller. However, the character is presented as an enduring individual who despite his weakling health condition is able to do research on a complex law case and present it on time. Enduring characterization is also shown by his ability to seek legal redress on his unfair dismissal despite his physical weakness. He managed to argue his case in court diligently until he collapsed in the court room.
John’s motive, actions and conflicts cause him to be a dynamic character; shown by how he fights for his marriage, his innocence, his reputation, and his beliefs. More importantly, John tries to subsequently fight for his rights and the rights of others, eventually giving in to death, in his battle with the truth. John Proctor’s guilt was a major motivator for him in a sense that he considered himself to be a fraud and wanted to tell people his dark secret. His guilt was derived from a few things; he had sinned, he was sorry for what he did, and he felt it was his fault. He is a man who is riddled with guilt from sinning; Also, John is eager to keep a respectable reputation.
Many people think that King John was a bad King, this is largely due to stories surrounding Robin Hood and the fact he charged high taxes and imprisoned people without good reason. Also he had a reputation for torturing and being cruel to is people. John was in dispute to the church and wanted to control who would be the next archbishop. However, Some people disagree with this view of John. They Argue that John was a generous man who fed the poor on feast days and was more giving than other kings before him.
Character Analysis John Proctor In Author Miller’s powerful stage play ‘The Crucible’, written in 1953 as a metaphor for the McCarthy hearings on communism in America, the idea of conscience is greatly emphasized in many of the main characters. John Proctor is one of the most important men in ‘The Crucible’ who has very deep inner struggles to deal with. Author Miller uses the word ‘crucible’ to describe conflicts and collisions that John Proctor goes through. When the play sets into action, John Proctor has a past affair with his servant Abigail William. Although his wife, Elizabeth Proctor is nice enough that can forgive his sin, John Proctor has his mind set that he will not confess to anyone else, in fear of running his good name.
When Hysteria takes over : The Crucible In the years around 1952 about 109 investigations were carried out by the Government against US citizens because of the fear of communism. One of those investigations was against Arthur Miller, the author of the play ‘The Crucible’ which reflects the behavior of the society and the actions of the government in this time period. The tragedy ‘The Crucible’ was premiered in 1953 in the Martin Beck Theatre (New York City). It tells the story of the Salem witch trails which occurred in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. Arthur Miller wrote this play to emulate the more emotional than rational, childlike behavior of the US Government in it’s actions against the Red Scare.
Arthur Miller had studied American witchcraft in College, but it was not until later on in his life that he stumbled across an uncanny link between 2 eras of History. The 1940’s McCarthyism he was currently living in and the events of the Salem witch trials. In the 17th Century rumours of witchcraft were common and many psychosomatic sufferers, as well as people not suffering from mental disorders, were executed or prosecuted for witchcraft because in those times it was believed that if behaviour wasn’t normal then the devil must be to blame. This happened in Salem, rumours quickly spread that the strange behaviours of Betty Parris and Ruth Putnam were due to witchcraft and the false testimonies of Abigail Williams and her friends caused 20 innocent men and women to hang and many others to be prosecuted. A key theme of this play and possibly the main reason behind the belief that Satan’s presence was in Salem in 1692 is the power of religion.
“He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion but against his own vision of decent conduct." Despite all the power and respect he appears to have in Salem, this still has an effect on his conscience which troubles him throughout the play. This effect is evident in John’s relationships with people, especially with his wife Elizabeth Proctor. When Proctor tries to re-establish his relationship with Elizabeth he says “I mean to please you Elizabeth” although he becomes angered when his wife does not forgive him completely, “You forgive nothing and forget nothing” and “An everlasting funeral marches round your heart”. Proctor’s good conscience allows him to still care for Elizabeth; this is shown when she is accused of
Miller criticized those contemporary instances by representing them in the play as characters and events. “Name calling” by the characters who in reality took the empowerment for their own benefit or desires are used as criticism for the society in fear of Communism. Insecurities of the officials who are in fear that they might have made wrongful accusations, but continued their falsehood to retain authority, and accused ones that act against their authority are a criticism of the leaders at the time. Moreover, by facilitating the idea of “guilt by association”, Miller shows how people are accused without evidences, and are forced to testify so they can save their own lives. Before the House Committee of the Un-American Activities are formed, names of “Un-American”, or communists are called (1).