THE CRUCIBLE - turning point essay Flashcards
introduction ( starter )
“The Crucible” by Arthur Miller is set in 1692 Salem and explores the disturbing witch trials, which leads to a key scene resolving the character of John Proctor’s inner conflict. Throughout the play, Proctor has suffered with significant inner turmoil
which…
paragraph one
Proctor Tearing Up the Confession (moment that resolves conflict)
TS: At the end of the play, Proctor briefly submits to the hysteria and confesses to witchcraft. He has been struggling with a moral conflict – whether or not to lie and save his life, or remain truthful and refuse to confess in opposition to the injustice of the witch trial. He has also been struggling with his internal conflict over his affair with Abigail as he cannot forgive himself for this and feels an immense of shame - both issues have become intrinsically linked for him. This leads him to sign a confession of witchcraft in his weakness.
P: However, Proctor realises that he must do the right thing, for himself and for his society.
E: “His breast heaving, his eyes staring, Proctor tears the paper and crumples it, and he is weeping in fury, but erect.”
Ref to Q: Therefore, this moment marks the resolution to Proctor’s conflict. He finally makes the decision to be honest and in doing so, he frees himself from the anguish of his decision to confess and the self-loathing that he has battled with throughout the play.
paragraph two
Establishment of Proctor’s Internal Conflict
T.S: Proctor’s internal conflict is established when the reader is first introduced to him in Act One.
P: He is depicted as a character who has done something terrible, something that causes him great self-hatred.
E: “He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of time, but against his own vision of decent
conduct.”
Ref to Q: It is clear from the beginning of the play then, that Proctor suffers from internal conflict which weighs heavily upon him. This establishes his journey towards atonement, for his wife’s forgiveness and importantly for his own.
paragraph three
Proctor’s Attempt to Resolve his Internal Conflict (by saving Elizabeth)
T.S: Proctor’s affair leads to his wife being charged of witchcraft by Abigail, and this causes him to truly
regret his actions.
P: When Elizabeth is arrested, Proctor knows that he must come forward about his affair in order to save his wife by highlighting Abigail’s true intentions. He boldly goes to oppose the hysteria Abigail has manipulated and begins his journey of redemption.
E: “She thinks to dance with me on my wife’s grave! And well she might, for I thought of her softly. God help me, I lusted and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is whore’s vengeance, and you must see it.”
Ref to Q: Therefore, Proctor is truly facing up to his sins at this point in the play. He has thus far struggled
with his internal conflict over his affair and is now attempting to repent by confessing to it in order to save Elizabeth, and importantly free himself from his self-hatred for his sins.
paragraph four
Proctor’s Dilemma (his name or his life)
T.S: Unfortunately Proctor’s confession does not pierce the hysteria, nor does it save Elizabeth. It actually results in his own arrest for so boldly opposing the court and therefore placing himself in line with the devil as, according to Danforth, “a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it.”
P: Proctor’s internal conflict is then intensified as his affair has still evoked the charge against his wife, and
arguably underlies the entire witchcraft hysteria. He is now faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to confess to witchcraft, which his friends have stoically refused to do even though it would save their lives.
Link to ev: He explains that he does not want to have his signed confession made public as it would ruin his
reputation.
E: “[with a cry of his soul] “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”
Ref to Q: This moment builds up to the turning point of Proctor tearing his confession – his infernal conflict has become all the more complex as he now not only hates himself for his affair, but he now regards himself as a weak man for considering sacrificing his reputation and lying in order to save himself.
paragraph five
Proctor’s Redemption
T.S: In the moments after the key moment of Proctor’s decision to remain true to himself and die with dignity, he is taken away to be hanged.
P: This is a tragic moment, but it is also uplifting as we truly appreciate that Proctor’s internal conflict has been resolved – he has forgiven himself for his sinful affair and he dies with his reputation in tact after remaining honest, which is important to him.
Link to ev: Proctor’s reaction to his decision makes it clear that this has cleansed him. He replies to Hale’s assertion that he cannot do this.
E: “[his eyes full of tears] I can. And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor.”
P: Elizabeth confirms that this is the right thing for Proctor to do and refuses to intervene – it has brought about an important change in his character as he has freed himself from self-hatred in this courageous decision.
E: “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!”
Ref to Q: Elizabeth’s words are the final dialogue of the play, which powerfully emphasises that Proctor’s
internal conflict has been resolved in his decision to die – he has atoned for his sins and no longer hates himself.
conclusion ( starter )
In conclusion, “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller features key scene in which John Proctor’s internal conflict is resolved. Throughout the play, Proctor has hated himself for his affair with Abigail – this sin had far-reaching consequences as…
