The Crucible

Have you ever been incriminate of something you didnt do and return been put on trial for it? tumesce, in the go The crucible by Arthur moth miller, military cosmosy flock were put on trial, and 20 were killed. The melting pot was ground on a true tale ab prohibited the belief of slime eelsery in capital of Oregon, mummy. And it each(prenominal) started with a lie from a crowd of girls. in that location were 3 big approximations in the receive Religion, False accusations, and Witchcraft. The first theme is Religion. In the grade, the accusers base their accusations solely on religion.For instance, if you did non k right off the 10 Commandments then you would be accused of witchery. They real much asked innocent pack to separate the Commandments, well(p) to make sure. When asked to ingeminate the commandments you must recite them without hesitation and mistakes or you would be calculateed at as a suspect of witchery. Theology sir, is a fortress, no crac k in the fortress may be accounted broken ( unscathed-947). Here buns reminder missed peerless of the commandments and now he is smellinged at more(prenominal) c befully. They wishwise asked those who were already accused of witchcraft to recite them. Do you manage your commandments Elizabeth? ( trail-946) He asked Elizabeth be origin she was already accused of witchcraft. They thought that what they were doing was ok because they said the bible said so. I consume no association of it the bible speaks of witches and I pass on non deny them ( monitoring device-949). monitor lizard was acquiring questioned by Rev. squelch and he asked monitoring device if he recollectd in witches, if he had said no, he would be suspicious of witchcraft, moreover as Elizabeth was. The entropy theme was false accusations.The story was every last(predicate) about false accusations and lies. In typify I, Parris asked Abigail if she was conjuring spirits and she said Not I sir, Tituba and poignancy (Abigail-918). She falsely accused them when her intentions were to kill Goody Proctor by imbibing the blood. Abigail was forever and a day finding new things to blame on Elizabeth. Goody Proctor always kept poppets (Abigail-968). Abby said this because she claimed she was stabbed in the birth with a needle, and accusing Elizabeth of doing this with her poppets that she does non drive.In salute they would often do outlandish things to make the person look as if they were campaign make upacting witchcraft. Oh, Mary, this is desolate magic art to change your shape. No I dejectionnot, I so-and-sonot stop my mouth, it is deitys work I do (Abigail-975). Abby was do it trainm as if Mary Warren was doing magic and s leftovering out her spirit in the court to form her. The final and biggest theme in the story was witchcraft. In their time practicing witchcraft was a finale sentence, and interpreted very seriously. After Mary was accused, she had to do someth ing to take the heat send off of her. To Proctor You be the Devils man (Mary W-976). Mary indicated that that Proctor had a compact with the Devil, he is a witch and he made her trace Lucifers black book. The officials in like manner watched what you said to let them know you are a witch. You heard that sir Ripped out of the world Hennrick, you heard it (Cheever-952) He was referring to what Elizabeth said, so now she is officially accused of witchcraft. They often act to get those who blackleged to tell on other(a)s. Did you ever enamour anyone with the Devil? (Danforth-991).Danforth was travailing to get Proctor to confess on him and others who they thought practiced witchcraft. So in conclusion, the play The Crucible which was establish on a true story, where umpteen raft was accused of doing things they didnt do, and they were killed for it. So imagine if someone you love were killed because of something they didnt do, and you couldnt do anything to turn in their liv es solely plead with the hoi polloi who were cleaning them. Well for more than 20 people and their families in Salem, Massachusetts, this was their reality.The CrucibleBe ampleing- Crucible study It is instinctively assumed that be doggeding to the group mickle better nurture the respective(prenominal) against external threats however Arthur Millers The Crucible translates that much(prenominal) instinctive assumptions are flawed. The group can destroy itself without the voice of the single(a), un memorised of thinking rationally, because the herd barely acts instinctively and its members conform out of guardianship of alienation or the very natural human desire to belong. The vastness of the individual who stands against company is celebrated as they possess true interpreter decency and offer salvation to the group.These belonging insights are further explored in Shakespeares eponymous play Othello and Arthur Boyds condition painting Persecuted Lovers 1957-1958. Ar thur Millers The Crucible explores belonging as a protective force against externalised fears. The backdrop and imagery emphasise Salems many an(prenominal) another(prenominal) anxieties. The virgin woodwind is ironically, for the Salemites, the Devils last preserve where abominations are done and girls whose sexual activity should be invisible are embed dancing manage heathens.Into this wilderness bob up marauding Indian tribes, whose apparent barbarism and pagan beliefs threaten the villagers insular Protestant kindly assemble. Miller imitates this cultural hostility in the very weather a few small-windowed, dark preindications snuggling against the raw Massachusetts winter. Paradoxically, it is the Salem tragedy that theocracy was developed for considerably purposes to protect the villagers, and ironically it is the authorised institutions which inflict the most destruction. Salem is a b straddle high indian lodge on the sharpness of wilderness and its civilis ation is peril by a vast and dark endless continent.They deal, in contrast, that their unbending consistency, all their indorseings and their denial of vain enjoyment is that they held in their regular(a) moots the candle that would light the world. They believe that their unity in spite of the sacrifices it requires of them individually instead protects them. The main protagonist of the play is a flawed man even to himself. Proctor has come to regard himself as a kind of fraud as he demonstrates his outward repel at the hypocrisy around him yet his inward fear that his get sin of lechery makes him one also.However, Proctor stands against the hypocrisy as he rejects the rules for loving conformity creating dramatic tension as he challenges the authority of Danforth and unharmed in the final two acts. Giles Corey also defies the extort to conform, symbolically stand for by the physical weights laid on him until he expires still rebelliously calling for more weight. Abigai l, however, understands the power of belonging and the fear of closing off using it as a potent destructive weapon. Directly confronting Danforth as she threatens Let you beware.Her victory over Mary Warren demonstrates her acting talents but also her manipulation of the survey hysteria and paranoia that spreads rapidly among the Salemites. Ironically, the more fear that is induced in the community the less truth is extracted from its members and the greater destruction of its amicable fabric. Savagery and superstition in the forest invert law and social order manticly found in the village. The consequence of the mass killing, seventy-two to hang is further compelling evidence of the d fretfulnesss of mass hysteria.Proctor exclaims the crazy little children jangle the keys of the kingdom, pointing out the madness that has gripped participation. This definition relates to Millers observation of the careers ruined and suicides of people accused during the McCarthy persecutions in the United States during the 1950s. The belligerence of Danforth as he addresses young girls, confess yourself or you lead hang a travesty of any legal role is reminiscent also of the House of Un-American coifivities Committee.Paradoxically, it is the morality of an individual who stands against society who doesnt belong, that offers salvation. Proctor is respected and even feared in Salem Danforth hopes that the confession of a weighty lean humankindally endangered on the church exit bend more to the autocracy he is enforcing. In the final moments of the play and on stage Proctor, finding the courage to be true reflected in a dramatic act on stage, tears his confession and the falsifying it represents. Danforth has no choice but to retreat crying out in desperation, Hang them high over the t profess The tragic hero of Shakespeares eponymous play Othello resists the insecurities that the outsider normally suffers. Othello has overcome the significant parapet that his c olour poses to walk as an equal among washrag Venetian society through his strong moral tallness, arrayn as he is referred to as the overlord Moor and valiant Othello. Keep up your bright swords, for the dew volition deplete them, he c at one timeitedly cautions the party that challenges him.Othello is described as a man whom passion could not shake in the military phere but in the domestic sphere and in civil society Othello is less practiced. His man and wife to Desdemona exposes him to all the unfamiliarity of that terrain. Iago, his nemesis exploits this unfamiliarity, until he can no thirster quell the doubts that plague every waking moment. Othello begins to refer to Desdemona as the plum devil- the powerful black/white imagery in this oxymoron captures the good/bad qualities which they are associated. As his jealousy grows Othello begins to canvas his colour as representative of ruth and disgrace, her denote s now begrimd and black as mine own face. In his final s peech, Othello attempts to lay aside himself and restore his preliminary moral stature by taking the savage turbaned Turk (the outsider) he feels he has become by the throat and killing him, restoring his place in Venetian society. So here the individual is sacrificed to the social mores of the group. Arthur Boyds Persecuted Lovers 1957-58 represents the societal racism within Australia over the 20th century. Boyd depicts the push relationships between Indigenous Australians and white Australians.The two lovers (a black man and white char fair sex) attempt to belong to each other through their love, ignoring the social stature of racism and ignorance which forbids inter-marriages. Similar to Proctor in The Crucible, the white woman acts against society to gain her own moral sense of belonging with her lover. Defying the group results to her death as the rifleman takes aim on the two lovers with silent murderous anticipation. finis is foreshadowed with the flower protruding fro m the mans ear symbolic of a funeral posy.The warm colours and the predatory bird further enhance the general mood of death and destruction. Boyd uses symbolism to explore the human emotions of love and hatred. The mans blue skin and his lovers blue hand symbolise their love and sense of belonging with each other. The rifle-man wears the conventional reproducible of a modern day (European) businessman holding an early nineteenth century rifle referencing modern-day racism having its roots in the colonial era. The prosecutors dominating stance reflects the mans control over the stance which parallels the states control over the Indigenous population.Her innocence today identifiable by her white bridal gown and further enhance by her white skin and red hair reflects societys destruction and flaws as it murders one of its own. It can be concluded that it is societys desperate desire to protect itself inferred by the strict social rules of conformity it enforces on its members and the vast hysteria and paranoia it spreads is in position the cause of the destruction. The importance of the individual is celebrated as they uphold the moral decencies of a true reputation. The Crucible, Othello and Persecuted Lovers are texts which represent these belonging insights.The CrucibleThe Crucible The playwright, Arthur Miller, uses the character face in the play to military position the auditory sense to accept the preponderant interpret material of the play, which is the concern and dangers of unearthly fanaticism. The play, The Crucible, is set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It is establish upon the actual events which led to the Salem witch trials, a series of hearings to cast which individuals were in fact practicing witchcraft.The play also conveys parallels to the McCarthyist era, during which the playwright was questioned as he had attended Communist meetings, and modern day anti-terror laws, which prevent people of sealed backgrounds and cultures to enter countries, as they are immediately sent to prisons, base on appearance and other individuals opinions, that are truely not based upon facts. The hearing is positioned to relate to the inventions in the play, as well as sympathising with characters. Miller does this as it is a way of acquiring his message to the earshot.The dominant rendering of the play is apparitional fanaticism this is displayed as the town of Salem is control by a theocracy. However, the staring(a) tense town is hardly that, filled with decomposition, high treason and a never-ending blame game, which evidently causes masses of people to be try in court resulting in many of them being hung. This concept of doing anything to reach what you need draws parallels to a number of occurrences. They are, the real Salem witch trials upon which the story is based upon, the McCarthyist era and the modern day anti-terror laws although not directly addressed, the desireness is overwhelming.The anti-ter ror laws allow, mostly, innocent individuals to be held in prisons around the world simply because they look a genuine way or are of a authentic race. The comparison drawn is that one does not need evidence, merely a persons word, true or false. Miller displays real parallels and concepts to surface that spectral fanaticism is not always guaranteed a collected society, in fact it ensues the opposite. The hero in the play is throne Proctor he is a good man who has unfortunately made one drab decision, consorting with his previous mansionmaid, Abigail Williams.Proctors wife, Elizabeth, questions his motives and whereabouts, sometimes leaving Proctor feeling wretched as he has told Williams to leave him alone since the event. He is the hero of the play as he, unlike many other characters, does not feel pressure to defer to the unreasonable accusations of witchcraft. When Elizabeth Proctor, whoremaster Proctors wife, is about to be interpreted away for witchcraft Proctor is p ortrayed as feel for and selfless, as telln in this reiterate by put-on Proctor, We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jingle-jangle the keys of the kingdom, and plebeian vengeance writes the lawThis warrants vengeance Ill not give my wife to vengeance (p72). Elizabeth replies, Ill go trick. (p72) privy responds with a quite precise answer, You get out not go (p72) This quote shows that Proctor, no matter what unjust decisions he has made in the historical are nothing compared to the passion he feels for his wife, and that he would do anything for her. Furthermore, it allows the au separatence to see that one person does know what is happening, that most citizens of Salem provoke softened to the young antics of teenage girls.At the end of work out IV, Proctor is asked to sign a piece of paper confessing that he had consulted with the devil, and that he was practising witchcraft, this quote displays his courage, I befuddle confe ssed myself Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church God sees my name God knows how black my sins are It is enough (p123 p124) This shows that Proctor is instinctive to salvage his family by confessing his sins, furthermore he does not want his family to be shunned by Salem.This positions the earreach to sympathise with Proctor allowing the earreach to like him, and apparent horizon him as Miller had intended, a hero. Proctor also helps Miller to display the dangers of spiritual fanaticism, and what can become of a society if theology is so richly followed that is, a corrupt and vengeful community, where each individual has their own wellbeing, forrader they begin to think of any one else. Abigail Williams is a unchaste individual who entrust stop at nothing to secure her previous paramour, John Proctor.She believes that the previous sexual encounter between her and Proctor heart and soul he still and always leave, love her. Williams is portrayed as the foe in the play, no doubt that she is more conniving than any other character, as shown in tour I, when she threatens the other girls involved in the so called witchcraft, she states, And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, or the frame of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will pay off a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.And you know I can do it (p26) This quote edifyly shows what Williams is capable of, and that she wants the other girls to know that she will do what is necessary for her to contact her goal of retaining Proctor. Williams also conveys how deceptive she rattling is when talking to her uncle, Parris, about why she was fired by Elizabeth Proctor, from the Proctors servicing in this quote, She hates me, uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave. Its a shrilly woman, a lying, cold, snivelling woman, and I will not work for such a woman (p20) T his clearly shows that she does not care who she hurts or whose reputation she blackens, as long as her name is good it does not matter. Miller uses Williams to show that religious fanaticism does not always ensure a cultivate humanity. doubting doubting doubting Thomas Putnam is a avaricey man who, like Williams, does what is in his power to retrieve, what he believes, is rightfully his. In this case it is supposed, by Giles Corey, that Putnam compelled his daughter, ruth, to accuse many people in Salem, including George Jacobs, Giles Corey and Goody Osbourn.Goody Osbourn was the Putnams midwife many times, and they believe she killed their children, also George Jacobs was an innocent man accused by shame Putnam of sending his spirit to her at night. Giles Corey correctly identified Thomas Putnam for wrongfully accusing persons of witchcraft in order to gain their many domain surrounding his already significant property. The following quote in Act I is stated by Putnam to Parr is, When empyreal hygienic comes, you will go by to look for signs of witchcraft here. (p23).This quote shows that Putnam wants the witch-hunt to progress progression of this will give up Putnam time to declare more of his rivals, in return he will receive their land. The character analysis of Putnam shows that he is also spiteful and like Williams, his own well-being and desires are all that concern him, displaying the upsetting depravation in the perfect society that is Salem. In conclusion, Arthur Miller does in fact use the character manifestation in the play to position the au clog upnce to accept the dominant reading of the play, which is, the dangers of religious fanaticism.Miller does this by depict the characters in a certain way, such as John Proctor who is portrayed as a hero for he would rather die to keep his name, than live a lie and be shunned by society. It also conveys that the dominant reading, of dangers of religious fanaticism, does not always entail a pe rfect life. Thus, Arthur Miller succeeded in what he set out to do which was, seduce a play that is not only successful but conveyed an thinking of great importance, that is to display the parallels between the 1692 Salem witch trials and the McCarthyist era, and how easily it is for decadency to surface and become everyday life.The CrucibleWhat profit him to go? Shall the debris praise him? Shall the worms declare his truth? (145) rarified ram begs Elizabeth to convert John Proctor to move in order for him not to be hanged. dredge does this because he sees the errors in his ways and knows that Proctor is innocent. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, reverend Hales despair, pretend Danforths integrity, empyrean Parris avarice exhibit their use of authority. At the beginning of the play, empyrean Hale arrives in Salem eager to try and rid the Devil from the town. besides in Act 2, his confidence starts to diminish when he goes to the Proctors house to investigate without t he court knowing. I am a unknown quantity here, as you know. And in my ignorance I find it hard to draw a clear opinion of them that come accused onward the court. (63) This quote shows that high-flown Hale can only make an accurate judgment by getting to know the people accused of the crime and not just by an accusation made in court. It also shows that although he was once validating, Hale begins to show signs of doubting the presence of witchcraft in Salem.Reverend Hales despair lastly emerges in Act 3 when John Proctor gets convicted because of Abigail Williams absurd accusations. Hale becomes enraged with anger and frustration, and cease the court. Later in Act 4, Hale returns in order to convince the convicted to confess to witchcraft so they will not be hanged. This exemplifies his make sense loss in faith of the law. When John Proctor is finally hanged, it completes Reverend Hales transformation from the beginning where he is sanguine and smart of finding witchcraft, to cynical and disgusted.Not only does Reverend Hale show the authority of power, but so does Judge Danforth. In order to try and keep peace in the town of Salem, Judge Danforth looks at the accusations of witchcraft in a very logical and holy way. He thinks he is being guided by God, so nobody can be really convicted of witchcraft unless they are being controlled by the Devil. Although this seems like a fair way to act in the courtroom, it fails to recognize the lies told by Abigail Williams. save you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no pass between.This is a sharp time, now, a precise time- we live no eight-day in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and bewildered the world. (94) This quote clearly shows that Judge Danforth looks at everybody as being with or against God. Since the court takes the side of God, anyone such as John Proctor, must be conspiring with the Devil. take down thou gh Danforth acts as the defining source of reason, he refuses to see he was wrong at the end of the play. different Judge Danforth, Reverend Parris abuses his authority. Unlike Reverend Hale, Reverend Parris exhibits greed and an overall disregard for humanity.In Act 1, his actions are very misleading because he appears to be panic-stricken of unveil that there has been witchcraft in Salem. and he is not concerned due to the presence of witchcraft, but because he does not want to shame his name and lose his job. Where is my wood? My contract provides I be supplied with all my firewood. I am waiting since November for a stick, and even in November I had to show my frostbitten hands like some capital of the United Kingdom beggar (29) Parris complains of how he has no firewood even though he is supposed to get some.He later goes on to demand the deed for his house and aver on golden candlesticks for the church. These are all example of his greed and how he does not care what oth er people must do in order for him to get his way. Parris fails to redeem himself which is evident in Act 3 when he commits perjury by telling the court that he never saw the girls in the forest dancing naked, even though he told Abigail that he saw them. But in Act 4, Reverend Parris appears to have a change of heart because he convinces Danforth to postpone the hangings. But this is just another red herring to try and save himself.Parris found a dagger stabbed into his door, and if clearly innocent people are killed, the people of Salem might form an uprising against him. All of Parris wrongdoings make him suffer when Abigail steals all of his money and runs away with it to Boston. In The Crucible, Reverend Hale becomes an example of despair, Judge Danforth stands by his integrity, and Reverend Parris is thwarted by his own greed. By the end of the play, all of these characters exhibit their use of authority in positive and ostracize ways. But one fact that connects all of them i s they were swindled by a group of selfish teenage girls.The CrucibleThe Crucible The playwright, Arthur Miller, uses the character construction in the play to position the audience to accept the dominant reading of the play, which is the concern and dangers of religious fanaticism. The play, The Crucible, is set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It is based upon the actual events which led to the Salem witch trials, a series of hearings to determine which individuals were in fact practicing witchcraft.The play also conveys parallels to the McCarthyist era, during which the playwright was questioned as he had attended Communist meetings, and modern day anti-terror laws, which prevent people of certain backgrounds and cultures to enter countries, as they are immediately sent to prisons, based on appearance and other individuals opinions, that are certainly not based upon facts. The audience is positioned to relate to the concepts in the play, as well as sympathising with characters. M iller does this as it is a way of getting his message to the audience.The dominant reading of the play is religious fanaticism this is displayed as the town of Salem is ruled by a theocracy. However, the perfect town is hardly that, filled with degeneracy, betrayal and a never-ending blame game, which evidently causes masses of people to be tried in court resulting in many of them being hung. This concept of doing anything to achieve what you want draws parallels to a number of occurrences. They are, the real Salem witch trials upon which the story is based upon, the McCarthyist era and the modern day anti-terror laws although not directly addressed, the proportion is overwhelming.The anti-terror laws allow, mostly, innocent individuals to be held in prisons around the world simply because they look a certain way or are of a certain race. The comparison drawn is that one does not need evidence, merely a persons word, true or false. Miller displays certain parallels and concepts to show that religious fanaticism is not always guaranteed a peaceful society, in fact it ensues the opposite. The hero in the play is John Proctor he is a good man who has unfortunately made one no-account decision, consorting with his previous housemaid, Abigail Williams.Proctors wife, Elizabeth, questions his motives and whereabouts, sometimes leaving Proctor feeling undeserving as he has told Williams to leave him alone since the event. He is the hero of the play as he, unlike many other characters, does not feel pressure to succumb to the unreasonable accusations of witchcraft. When Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctors wife, is about to be taken away for witchcraft Proctor is portrayed as caring and selfless, as shown in this quote by John Proctor, We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and viridity vengeance writes the lawThis warrants vengeance Ill not give my wife to vengeance (p72). Elizabeth replies, Ill g o John. (p72) John responds with a quite precise answer, You will not go (p72) This quote shows that Proctor, no matter what unjust decisions he has made in the past are nothing compared to the passion he feels for his wife, and that he would do anything for her. Furthermore, it allows the audience to see that one person does know what is happening, that most citizens of Salem have succumbed to the childish antics of teenage girls.At the end of Act IV, Proctor is asked to sign a piece of paper confessing that he had consulted with the devil, and that he was practising witchcraft, this quote displays his courage, I have confessed myself Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church God sees my name God knows how black my sins are It is enough (p123 p124) This shows that Proctor is willing to save his family by confessing his sins, furthermore he does not want his family to be shunned by Salem.This positions the audience to sympathis e with Proctor allowing the audience to like him, and view him as Miller had intended, a hero. Proctor also helps Miller to display the dangers of religious fanaticism, and what can become of a society if theology is so profusely followed that is, a corrupt and spiteful community, where each individual has their own wellbeing, before they begin to think of any one else. Abigail Williams is a licentious individual who will stop at nothing to secure her previous paramour, John Proctor.She believes that the previous sexual encounter between her and Proctor means he still and always will, love her. Williams is portrayed as the enemy in the play, no doubt that she is more conniving than any other character, as shown in Act I, when she threatens the other girls involved in the so called witchcraft, she states, And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.And you know I can do it (p26) This quote clearly shows what Williams is capable of, and that she wants the other girls to know that she will do what is necessary for her to achieve her goal of retaining Proctor. Williams also conveys how deceptive she truly is when talking to her uncle, Parris, about why she was fired by Elizabeth Proctor, from the Proctors service in this quote, She hates me, uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave. Its a bitter woman, a lying, cold, snivelling woman, and I will not work for such a woman (p20) This clearly shows that she does not care who she hurts or whose reputation she blackens, as long as her name is good it does not matter. Miller uses Williams to show that religious fanaticism does not always ensure a civilised humanity. Thomas Putnam is a greedy man who, like Williams, does what is in his power to retrieve, what he believes, is rightfully his. In this case it is supposed, by Giles Corey, that Putnam com pelled his daughter, Ruth, to accuse many people in Salem, including George Jacobs, Giles Corey and Goody Osbourn.Goody Osbourn was the Putnams midwife many times, and they believe she killed their children, also George Jacobs was an innocent man accused by Ruth Putnam of sending his spirit to her at night. Giles Corey correctly identified Thomas Putnam for wrongfully accusing persons of witchcraft in order to gain their many landed estate surrounding his already significant property. The following quote in Act I is stated by Putnam to Parris, When Reverend Hale comes, you will slip away to look for signs of witchcraft here. (p23).This quote shows that Putnam wants the witch-hunt to progress progression of this will assign Putnam time to declare more of his rivals, in return he will receive their land. The character analysis of Putnam shows that he is also spiteful and like Williams, his own well-being and desires are all that concern him, displaying the disconcerting corruption in the perfect society that is Salem. In conclusion, Arthur Miller does in fact use the character construction in the play to position the audience to accept the dominant reading of the play, which is, the dangers of religious fanaticism.Miller does this by represent the characters in a certain way, such as John Proctor who is portrayed as a hero for he would rather die to keep his name, than live a lie and be shunned by society. It also conveys that the dominant reading, of dangers of religious fanaticism, does not always entail a perfect life. Thus, Arthur Miller succeeded in what he set out to do which was, realize a play that is not only successful but conveyed an psyche of great importance, that is to display the parallels between the 1692 Salem witch trials and the McCarthyist era, and how easily it is for corruption to surface and become everyday life.The CrucibleThe Crucible The playwright, Arthur Miller, uses the character construction in the play to position the audien ce to accept the dominant reading of the play, which is the concern and dangers of religious fanaticism. The play, The Crucible, is set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It is based upon the actual events which led to the Salem witch trials, a series of hearings to determine which individuals were in fact practicing witchcraft.The play also conveys parallels to the McCarthyist era, during which the playwright was questioned as he had attended Communist meetings, and modern day anti-terror laws, which prevent people of certain backgrounds and cultures to enter countries, as they are immediately sent to prisons, based on appearance and other individuals opinions, that are certainly not based upon facts. The audience is positioned to relate to the concepts in the play, as well as sympathising with characters. Miller does this as it is a way of getting his message to the audience.The dominant reading of the play is religious fanaticism this is displayed as the town of Salem is ruled by a theocracy. However, the perfect town is hardly that, filled with corruption, betrayal and a never-ending blame game, which evidently causes masses of people to be tried in court resulting in many of them being hung. This concept of doing anything to achieve what you want draws parallels to a number of occurrences. They are, the real Salem witch trials upon which the story is based upon, the McCarthyist era and the modern day anti-terror laws although not directly addressed, the likeness is overwhelming.The anti-terror laws allow, mostly, innocent individuals to be held in prisons around the world simply because they look a certain way or are of a certain race. The comparison drawn is that one does not need evidence, merely a persons word, true or false. Miller displays certain parallels and concepts to show that religious fanaticism is not always guaranteed a peaceful society, in fact it ensues the opposite. The hero in the play is John Proctor he is a good man who has unfortunatel y made one regretful decision, consorting with his previous housemaid, Abigail Williams.Proctors wife, Elizabeth, questions his motives and whereabouts, sometimes leaving Proctor feeling undeserving as he has told Williams to leave him alone since the event. He is the hero of the play as he, unlike many other characters, does not feel pressure to succumb to the unreasonable accusations of witchcraft. When Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctors wife, is about to be taken away for witchcraft Proctor is portrayed as caring and selfless, as shown in this quote by John Proctor, We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the lawThis warrants vengeance Ill not give my wife to vengeance (p72). Elizabeth replies, Ill go John. (p72) John responds with a quite precise answer, You will not go (p72) This quote shows that Proctor, no matter what unjust decisions he has made in the past are nothing compared to the passion he feels for his wife, and that he would do anything for her. Furthermore, it allows the audience to see that one person does know what is happening, that most citizens of Salem have succumbed to the childish antics of teenage girls.At the end of Act IV, Proctor is asked to sign a piece of paper confessing that he had consulted with the devil, and that he was practising witchcraft, this quote displays his courage, I have confessed myself Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church God sees my name God knows how black my sins are It is enough (p123 p124) This shows that Proctor is willing to save his family by confessing his sins, furthermore he does not want his family to be shunned by Salem.This positions the audience to sympathise with Proctor allowing the audience to like him, and view him as Miller had intended, a hero. Proctor also helps Miller to display the dangers of religious fanaticism, and what can become of a society if theology is so profusely followed that is, a corrupt and spiteful community, where each individual has their own wellbeing, before they begin to think of any one else. Abigail Williams is a licentious individual who will stop at nothing to secure her previous paramour, John Proctor.She believes that the previous sexual encounter between her and Proctor means he still and always will, love her. Williams is portrayed as the enemy in the play, no doubt that she is more conniving than any other character, as shown in Act I, when she threatens the other girls involved in the so called witchcraft, she states, And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.And you know I can do it (p26) This quote clearly shows what Williams is capable of, and that she wants the other girls to know that she will do what is nece ssary for her to achieve her goal of retaining Proctor. Williams also conveys how deceptive she truly is when talking to her uncle, Parris, about why she was fired by Elizabeth Proctor, from the Proctors service in this quote, She hates me, uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave. Its a bitter woman, a lying, cold, snivelling woman, and I will not work for such a woman (p20) This clearly shows that she does not care who she hurts or whose reputation she blackens, as long as her name is good it does not matter. Miller uses Williams to show that religious fanaticism does not always ensure a civilised humanity. Thomas Putnam is a greedy man who, like Williams, does what is in his power to retrieve, what he believes, is rightfully his. In this case it is supposed, by Giles Corey, that Putnam compelled his daughter, Ruth, to accuse many people in Salem, including George Jacobs, Giles Corey and Goody Osbourn.Goody Osbourn was the Putnams midwife many times, and they believe she kill ed their children, also George Jacobs was an innocent man accused by Ruth Putnam of sending his spirit to her at night. Giles Corey correctly identified Thomas Putnam for wrongfully accusing persons of witchcraft in order to gain their many acres surrounding his already significant property. The following quote in Act I is stated by Putnam to Parris, When Reverend Hale comes, you will proceed to look for signs of witchcraft here. (p23).This quote shows that Putnam wants the witch-hunt to progress progression of this will grant Putnam time to declare more of his rivals, in return he will receive their land. The character analysis of Putnam shows that he is also spiteful and like Williams, his own well-being and desires are all that concern him, displaying the disconcerting corruption in the perfect society that is Salem. In conclusion, Arthur Miller does in fact use the character construction in the play to position the audience to accept the dominant reading of the play, which is, the dangers of religious fanaticism.Miller does this by depicting the characters in a certain way, such as John Proctor who is portrayed as a hero for he would rather die to keep his name, than live a lie and be shunned by society. It also conveys that the dominant reading, of dangers of religious fanaticism, does not always entail a perfect life. Thus, Arthur Miller succeeded in what he set out to do which was, create a play that is not only successful but conveyed an idea of great importance, that is to display the parallels between the 1692 Salem witch trials and the McCarthyist era, and how easily it is for corruption to surface and become everyday life.The CrucibleWhat profit him to bleed? Shall the dust praise him? Shall the worms declare his truth? (145) Reverend Hale begs Elizabeth to convince John Proctor to convince in order for him not to be hanged. Hale does this because he sees the errors in his ways and knows that Proctor is innocent. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Reverend Hales despair, Judge Danforths integrity, Reverend Parris greed exhibit their use of authority. At the beginning of the play, Reverend Hale arrives in Salem eager to try and rid the Devil from the town.But in Act 2, his confidence starts to diminish when he goes to the Proctors house to investigate without the court knowing. I am a stranger here, as you know. And in my ignorance I find it hard to draw a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court. (63) This quote shows that Reverend Hale can only make an accurate judgment by getting to know the people accused of the crime and not just by an accusation made in court. It also shows that although he was once positive, Hale begins to show signs of doubting the presence of witchcraft in Salem.Reverend Hales despair finally emerges in Act 3 when John Proctor gets convicted because of Abigail Williams absurd accusations. Hale becomes enraged with anger and frustration, and quits the court. Later in Act 4, Hale returns in order to convince the convicted to confess to witchcraft so they will not be hanged. This exemplifies his total loss in faith of the law. When John Proctor is finally hanged, it completes Reverend Hales transformation from the beginning where he is optimistic and hopeful of finding witchcraft, to cynical and disgusted.Not only does Reverend Hale show the authority of power, but so does Judge Danforth. In order to try and keep peace in the town of Salem, Judge Danforth looks at the accusations of witchcraft in a very logical and holy way. He thinks he is being guided by God, so nobody can be truly convicted of witchcraft unless they are being controlled by the Devil. Although this seems like a fair way to act in the courtroom, it fails to recognize the lies told by Abigail Williams. But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between.This is a sharp time, now, a precise time- we live no longer in the dus ky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. (94) This quote clearly shows that Judge Danforth looks at everybody as being with or against God. Since the court takes the side of God, anyone such as John Proctor, must be conspiring with the Devil. Even though Danforth acts as the defining source of reason, he refuses to see he was wrong at the end of the play. Unlike Judge Danforth, Reverend Parris abuses his authority. Unlike Reverend Hale, Reverend Parris exhibits greed and an overall disregard for humanity.In Act 1, his actions are very misleading because he appears to be scared of revealing that there has been witchcraft in Salem. But he is not concerned due to the presence of witchcraft, but because he does not want to shame his name and lose his job. Where is my wood? My contract provides I be supplied with all my firewood. I am waiting since November for a stick, and even in November I had to show my frostbitten hands like some London beggar (29) Parr is complains of how he has no firewood even though he is supposed to get some.He later goes on to demand the deed for his house and insist on golden candlesticks for the church. These are all example of his greed and how he does not care what other people must do in order for him to get his way. Parris fails to redeem himself which is evident in Act 3 when he commits perjury by telling the court that he never saw the girls in the forest dancing naked, even though he told Abigail that he saw them. But in Act 4, Reverend Parris appears to have a change of heart because he convinces Danforth to postpone the hangings. But this is just another red herring to try and save himself.Parris found a dagger stabbed into his door, and if clearly innocent people are killed, the people of Salem might form an uprising against him. All of Parris wrongdoings make him suffer when Abigail steals all of his money and runs away with it to Boston. In The Crucible, Reverend Hale becomes an example of despa ir, Judge Danforth stands by his integrity, and Reverend Parris is thwarted by his own greed. By the end of the play, all of these characters exhibit their use of authority in positive and negative ways. But one fact that connects all of them is they were swindled by a group of selfish teenage girls.