Common Module - Crucible Essay Flashcards
Thesis of Paragprah 1
Miller divides the Salem community into those who value their reputation and those who cherish their honour and integrity. In doing so Miller highlights _______ of John proctor.
“With the cry of his whole soul… I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”
stage directions presents proctor’s great guilt and shame for surrendering to pressures of theocracy, however the Plea for his “name” which is a symbol of his reputation highlights importance of remaining true to one’s values, therefore allowing John to set good example for his children, enabling them to “walk like men in the world.
“Proctor tears the paper and crumples it, and he is weeping in fury, but erect”
The importance of integrity is further discussed through proctor’s Dilemma “quote”
Proctor’s plight decision between saving his physical self or preserving his integrity is further inflated by the Tension created by Miller’s stage directions which evokes empathy towards Proctor’s situation.
He cannot in good conscience sign his name to a lie, but his tainted past renders him unworthy of dying alongside the pure Rebecca Nurse.
However the audience can better understand his final decision after he “see some shed goodness in John Proctor” which allows him to die alongside Rebecca, preserving the innocence of the accused and saving his own integrity,
thus affirming Miller’s value of staying true to one’s own self.
“He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!”/ “Shall the worms declare his truth?”
John’s final dilemma brings to light contradicting reactions from Elizabeth and Hale
This stichomythic exchange between hale and Elizabeth exposes the deliberate contrast between their feelings towards John’s final decision, in doing so it displays the importance of weighing up ramifications before coming to dire decisions as this will have lasting effects on individuals and collectives.
Elizabeth’s affirmation of John’s final decision further emphasizes the goodness within proctor, allowing his integrity to be preserved in the presence of individuals and setting a good example for future generations as he does not “sell his friends” .
Thus, miller suggests the perceptions of a collective can influence the actions of individuals, however it is the individual’s own perspective on themselves that really matters to preserve the goodness and integrity within them.
Pargaph 2 Thesis:
The theocratic court system in Salem bears great responsibility during the conflict in Salem however Miller exposes the corrupt legal system upheld by Danforth ________
“A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it”
- > Miller utilizes Dramatic Irony to accentuate the false dichotomy and binary thought processes reflecting impulsive and narrowmindedness of the legal system in Salem. In doing so Miller exposes corrupt authority
- > which promotes mob mentality and allows Abigail’s false accusations to pass without proper evaluation, thus exposing the repercussions of conforming to theocracy / power hungry individuals.
“Theology, sir, is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be accounted small”
Dangers of theocracy is explored though hale
-> Ironic as Christianity dictates the correct / lawful way to live yet it is being used to interrogate and accuse the innocent.
(Paradox) Demonstrates how puritan society denies the individual (Hale) any right to make their own judgements as a reverend must side with God and if someone challenges the reverend they are against God.
“God is dead!”
Corruption is explored though John’s Experience:
Miller utilises Dramatic Dialogue and Exclamation “quote” God is represented through the proceedings of the theocratic court. Proctor diminishes the value of God and therefore the justice system as those in power abuse their authority to manipulate the collective society to achieve self-motivations of reputation
many innocent people are falsely convicted based on an anomalous process, which would never “pass” in a modern-day court and allows the audience to see the dangers of theocracy from a 1600’s standpoint.
Paragraph 3 Thesis:
Fear and mass hysteria drives the major conflict in Salem, Miller explores the major influence the collective has over individuals and how it brings to light the anomalous behaviour
“Looking up… as though concerned they let out a gigantic scream”
-> Stage directions Shows how individual bravery can collapse and a desire for self-preservation takes hold when the collective threatens the individual.
Mary’s independence and ethical stand are pitted against the collective pressure of Abigail. This Illustrate how peer pressure and the threat of isolation drive Mary to act in a manner that is inconsistent with morality
The dramatic irony as we are aware of the girl’s deception develops significant tension and reflects the consequences that individuals face in the Salem community if they are to value their own morals over those of the collective.
“I saw Sarah good with the Devil!”
Fear of prosecution is further explored in Abigail as Miller exposes how fear can cause people to act inconsistent or anomalously to save their own skin
-> Miller exposes how Fear of prosecution can cause people to act inconsistent or anomalously to save their own skin and in Abigail’s case gain a position of power.
In this moment Abigail sacrifices her integrity for her reputation and in doing so sets off a chain reaction of accusations causing mass hysteria throughout Salem.
this conveys how conflict will trigger instinct for self-preservation out of fear of being held accountable for wrongdoings, even at the expense of others
“A fire, a fire is burning!”, “near four hundred in jails.. upon my signature”
However, Proctor challenges the fear of prosecution and rises against the mass hysteria
Miller ‘melts’ concealment and reduces characters to their core values and qualities to evoke tension and expose jarring anomalies within Danforth’s selfishness.
Danforth fears the decline of his reputation as the interpreter of God’s will (theocracy) and thus does not go back on his word “near four hundred in jails.. upon my signature”.
This leads to the anomalous decision to prosecute Elizabeth as Danforth will not face the fact that he was manipulated by the girl’s false testimonies
L: Fear drives individual to act in their own interests to protect themselves, by doing so they are easily manipulated and thus bringing to light anomalies within their behaviours.
Introduction:
–> Adress Question
Arthur Miller highlights __(whatever the question is)_____. In doing so he links similar concepts to McCarthyism in the 1950’s during the ‘red scare’ which ___(How is McCarthyism similar to Salem)_____
Introduce Characters (Briefly – link to question)
