Proctors good reputation is almost a burden for him at this point because he knows that he doesnt deserve it. However, this runs up against Danforths desire to preserve his reputation as a strong judge. Abigail accuses Tituba first because Tituba is the one person below her on the ladder of power, so she makes an easy scapegoat. I chose . Combining this notion with the one he declared earlier displays the hypocritical nature of Danforth when put in this hysterical. The Devil is precise.'' In fact, we've all seen hypocrisy in our daily lives. Danforth insists that John must know more about the Devil's dealings than he has revealed. Other essay questions may not ask you directly about the themes listed in this article, but that doesn't mean that the themes are irrelevant to your writing. It is part of our carnal nature to hold others to a higher standard than our own. She was seen as a grandmother to the village. 133). All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. 67). If Danforth accepts Marys testimony, it would mean that he wrongly convicted numerous people already. Lying- Explain why the girls are more willing to lie . These. The power of collective hysteria ultimately becomes insurmountable because it grows larger than the influence of the few rational voices in the community. Themes tell us what the purpose of the work is. One flaw that can always be found in society and the Crucible is hypocrisy. Abigails power skyrockets as the hysteria grows more severe. The hysterical atmosphere and the dramatic performances of some of the accusers cause people to believe they have seen genuine proof of witchcraft. Nowhere is there any consideration of ulterior motives. Thomas Putnam tells him to Wait for no one to charge you - declare it yourself.Parris must rush to be the first accuser so he can place himself beyond reproach. She is clearly outspoken and dominant, but her initial position in society is one of very little influence and authority. While it does provide an entertaining experience at face value, the true literary genius behind the work is Miller's . Thomas Putnam claims to be a holy, church-going man, yet his priority in life is to acquire land. Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" is a fictional account of the real life Salem witch trials, but the play has far deeper meanings than just a dramatic interpretation of the event. Proctor changes from a normal citizen and sinner to a tragic hero with a high sense of morality. Thomas Putnam who has grudges against the people of Salem, and Abigail is a shameless liar who leads the accusations against the people of Salem. This shows us how one person who starts. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? The authorities ignore any inconvenient logical objections to the proceedings because they, too, are swept up in the madness. She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. John and Rebeccas solid reputations lead to pushback against their executions even though people were too scared to stand up for them in the midst of the trials. She puts on a fake front to get what she wants, ultimately creating a persona thats even worse than that of the hypocrites she criticizes. Its easy for more respectable citizens to accept that shes in league with the Devil because she is an "other" in Salem, just like Tituba. The theme of guilt is one that is deeply relevant to John Proctor's character development throughout the play. 118). Danforth also acts out of concern for his reputations here. Fear plays an immense role in the way people make their decisions, such as when the characters of Danforth and Mary Warren resort to hypocrisy when no other options remain. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. This leads to Marys hysterical accusation of Proctor after she finds herself targeted by the other girls and about to be consumed by the hysteria herself if she doesnt contribute to it. Reverend Parris, the paranoid widower and heaven-ordained minister of the town of Salem, was, simply put, a hypocrite. "She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris's house tonight, and without word nor warnin' she falls to the floor. In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. Abigails many deceptions are sometimes laughably ironic as she chastises others for lying even as she is spinning falsehoods. One single example is ; Corporate and political greed and desire for power is the reason for most of the suffering as claimed by many. In one of the most well-known quotes in the play, John Proctor angrily insists that the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom (pg. 41). One theory of the cause of the trials is that people used the trials as a way to gain land. Though a character can have significant moral flaws, they can be wise enough to recognize their flaws and change their ways. Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. But these themes aren't always easy to explain or dissect in the context of the play, and they can be even harder to develop into essays. He chooses to die instead of providing a false confession because he doesnt think life will be worth living after he is so disgraced. Danforth continues to demonstrate the effects of hysteria in act 4 even after things have died down a bit in Salem and there have been rumblings of discontent about the courts actions. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. Themes can be expressed in many different ways. When she cant get John to abandon Elizabeth for her, she decides to take matters into her own hands and gain control through manipulating the fears of others. Hypocrisy relates to The Crucible in that both Reverend Parris and Mr. Putnam are incredibly hypocritical characters. The importance placed on reputation helps perpetuate hysteria because it leads to inaction, inflexibility, and, in many cases, active sabotage of the reputations of others for selfish purposes. Tituba is pressured to confess and name the names of other witches to avoid execution, which leads to Abigail and Bettys accusations, now validated by a coerced confession. The Crucible presents a view of women that essentially reduces them to caricatures of human beings that are defined by their roles as mothers, wives, and servants to men. -Hypocrisy is the state of falsely claiming to possess virtuous characteristics that one lacks. Abigail William is hypocritical because she does not follow the rules of the Salem trials. Though the Puritans believed that children were not to be taken seriously, they are later convinced by the court officials that the children are the authorities on witchcraft. Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her articles. I'll give a short summary of how each plays a role in the events of The Crucible. One such example would be the scene in which Proctor and Parris are discussing Parris style of sermon, when Parris randomly exclaims that he is not being provided with as much wood as his contract spells out, as well as arguing for an extra six pounds per year. The desire to preserve and gain power pervadesThe Crucible as the witch trials lead to dramatic changes in which characters hold the greatest control over the course of events. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. The narrator tells the audience that there is very little good to be said of him (Miller 1100), yet as a minister the people of the town look to him to be a pious religious leader. He shows the hypocrisy of the Puritans by showing their belief system and how they have not acted in accordance with those beliefs. He's already accepted her testimony as evidence, so he is happy for any excuse to believe her over John and Mary.John finally comes to the realization that Mary's truthful testimony cannot compete with the hysteria that has taken hold of the court. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. The dark, witchcraft-filled production follows a series of deaf characters who are narrated in English, rather than the other way around. Hypocrisy, actually, didn't have a bad meaning until hypocrisy met politics in the 4th century B.C. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!" John tells the judge to summon Elizabeth to back him up because he knows she always tells the truth. An example would be something like: "How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? The Puritans believed that children were to be seen and not heard. Throughout the play, Miller is introducing multiple characters that experience changes in their decisions and negatively influence more people eventually leading up to the witch trials. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. Many people are under the impression that irony is just when something happens that you don't expect (or that you really hoped wouldn't happen). This means that much of the population that remains is comprised of the power-hungry, the selfish, and the cowardly. (pg. His guilt leads to great tension in interactions with Elizabeth because he projects his feelings onto her, accusing her of being judgmental and dwelling on his mistakes. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in The Crucible. Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. He appears to have no governing system of morality. This causes problems down the line as Parris allows his paranoia about losing his position to translate into enthusiasm for the witch hunt. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. A character named Abigail lived with proctor and his wife and his two sons. The Crucible, a short play dedicated to these events in Salem shows us how hysteria was such a leading cause of why the Witch Trials had even occurred. In this act, she yells Dont lie! at Tituba immediately before she tells some of the most damning lies of the play accusing Tituba of witchcraft (. In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller repeatedly portrays that duplicity and deceit are a natural part of human lives. 123). He is completely oblivious to the fact that the victims might be lying. 22). Theme 3: Reputation. Examples Of Hypocrisy In The Crucible. 41). The each profess to want truth and to desire to punish actual wrongdoers. As we discussed in this lesson, we see hypocrisy everywhere, and its depiction in art is no exception. Miller's portrayal of women in The Crucible is a much-discussed topic. For example, proctor waits till the very last minute to reveal Abigail is lying. Other essay questions may not ask you directly about the themes listed in this article, but that doesn't mean that the themes are irrelevant to your writing. Though hysteria overpowered the reputations of the accused in the past two acts, in act 4 the sticking power of their original reputations becomes apparent. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. The play loosely follows the tale of Salem and how the trials came to pass. In her conversation with John, Abigail claims that he helped her realize all the lies she was told by two-faced people in Salem who only publicly adhere to the conventions of respectable society (pg. 68 lessons In Salem the reason why so many women were killed was because of Mass Hysteria. Why does Mary Warren behave differently when she becomes involved in the trials? In saying this he admits that a person can only avoid a hanging by confessing to witchcraft even if their statement contains no truth. Why does he decide to do so anyways? The accusers cannot present concrete evidences, and their wrongful convictions must be further scrutinized. Why is Cheever both astonished and afraid when he finds the poppet with the needle in it? The only power they have left is in refusing to confess and preserving their integrity. There are numerous connections between the flaws of individual characters and the overarching themes of the play that could be brought into this discussion. She attended church regularly and was the embodiment of how a Puritan woman should behave. Parris is hypocritical because he is not a . One path to higher standing and greater control would be in becoming John Proctors wife. Being in contact with someone else means mediating between ourselves and the other. The ruthlessness with which the suspected witches are treated is aimed at purifying Salem, but it achieves the opposite outcome. At the end this act, John Proctor delivers a short monologue anticipating the imminent loss of the disguises of propriety worn by himself and other members of the Salem community. They're also revealed though events in the plot. This vicious cycle continues to claim the lives of more and more people as the play progresses. 129). The most substantial female character is Abigail, who is portrayed as a devious and highly sexualized young woman. Ironically, though she is normally honest to a fault, in this situation Elizabeth decides to lie to preserve Johns reputation, not knowing he has already confessed. I have not seen a single politician who isnt a hypocrite. Danforth has extensive pride in his intelligence and perceptiveness. People could not take another's land unless it was left to them in a will; however, if someone were to be executed for a crime, that land belonged to the state and could be re-distributed. Along with the final say in the putting to death of people during the Salem witch trials. Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. Abigails presence is always rife with irony in. The fact that he forgets only this commandment shows that he is trying extremely hard to repress his guilt. Miller explains this further: ''long-held hatreds of neighbors could now be openly expressed, and vengeance taken, despite the Bible's charitable injunctions.'' Danforth is the governor of Massachusetts who thinks of himself as a fair man. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. Well, it's not. A professor tells us that he has a strict rule about cell phones in the classroom, then he answers it midway through his own lecture. John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Hale, Reverend Paris, and Abigail are the main characters. In telling people they must confess to their crimes or be hanged, the officials show that they have already decided the person is guilty no matter what evidence is provided in their defense. How to use hypocrisy in a sentence. In Act 1 he jumped on board with the hysteria to preserve his power, but he ended up losing what little authority he had in the first place (and, according to Miller's afterward, was voted out of office soon after the end of the play). Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie. Hypocrisy is just one of many personality traits along many spectrums. An ad hominem means that it shifts the argument away from the issue to a personal attack on the person involved. He is completely oblivious to the fact that the victims might be lying. Each new false confession is thrown onto the pile of evidence of a grand Satanic plot, and as the pile grows larger, the hysteria surrounding it is fed generously. By the end of class, you should be able to: Identify basic elements of McCarthyism, including the following terms: The first is that she is looking to escape . Where before she was just an orphaned teenager, now, in the midst of the trials, she becomes the main witness to the inner workings of a Satanic plot. 91). She is clearly outspoken and dominant, but her initial position in society is one of very little influence and authority. Believer, Baltimore City IEP Chair, and 2:39 marathon runner. He has sentenced people to death based on lies about their dealings in black magic, and he has accepted other false confessions from those who would rather lie than be executed. The Crucible is set during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Arthur Miller's 1953 play, ''The Crucible,'' features hypocrisy as a recurrent theme. Act 4 is Danforths turn to shine in the irony department. Danforth also becomes frustrated with Proctor when he wont name names in his confession: Mr. Hypocrisy is "the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform". 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Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. Now that you've read about the most important themes in The Crucible, check out ourlist of every single character in the play, including brief analyses of their relationships and motivations. 44) but realizes that her word against Abigail will not stand. She continues to act under the assumption that his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, and she does not reveal the affair. 22). What Are The Human Flaws In The Crucible 1560 Words | 7 Pages. officials (like Danforth) unable or unwilling to listen to reason? I am with God, I, Danforth expresses his opinions on lying when Mary Warren enter his court to confess herself and he begins the conversation by saying, How were you instructed in your life? Proctor, a score of people have already testified they saw [Rebecca Nurse] with the Devil (pg. Thus demonstrating how mob mentality can impact an individual and ultimately drive the action of the play. Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. This new power is exciting and very dangerous because. Recall that hypocrisy is when someone's actions don't match up with the professed values. 73), meaning the girls are testing out the extent of the chaos they can create with their newfound power. Of course, we know that Danforth has been trading peoples lives for lies this whole time. The evidence used in the Salem Witch Trials further demonstrates the hypocrisy in the Puritan times. The town slips further and further into chaos and paranoia until it reaches a point of total devastation. Later in the play, she is accused. The Devil is really a superstition hiding the townspeople, who are ''precise'' in their accusations because they want land from others. All rights reserved. The Crucible provides an example of how convenient lies can build on one another to create a universally accepted truth even in the absence of any real evidence. Danforth has extensive pride in his intelligence and perceptiveness. For example, Bridget Bishop dressed in red, a color that was abhorrent in the Puritan eyes. AbracaDENIAL! The other two main female characters, Elizabeth and Mary Warren, are somewhat bland. | Certified Educator Arthur Miller clearly wants the audience to empathize with John Proctor in The Crucible, and we know this based on the principles for which he stands. Lust and pride were John Proctors tragic flaws, lust is of course, one out of the seven sins. The people who preside over the trials are corrupt. 91). In a way,John welcomes the loss of his reputation because he feels so guilty about the disconnect between howhe is perceived by others and the sins he has committed. In steadfastly refusing to confess, Rebecca Nurse holds onto a great deal of power. Both Hale and Proctor don't want to live with the consequences of their mistakes, so they try to ignore or undo their past actions. Both flaws led him to delay telling the truth about Abigail's fraudulent claims and their previous relationship, thus dooming himself and many others to death or imprisonment. The idea that a witch's familiar spirit is capable of stabbing people is too scary for the superstitious and now hysterical people of Salem to give Elizabeth the benefit of the doubt. As John gives his confession, Danforth says to Rebecca Nurse Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. The classic example of an incorrect use of irony is in Alanis Morisette's song "Ironic" when she says that "rain on your wedding day" is an example of irony. Essay questions that ask about themes in this straightforward way can be tricky because there's a temptation to speak in vague terms about the theme's significance. The importance placed on reputation helps perpetuate hysteria because it leads to inaction, inflexibility, and, in many cases, active sabotage of the reputations of others for selfish purposes. Danforth, who has the most authority, is also the most sold on her act, and it only takes a few screams to persuade him that hes in the presence of witchcraft. Being a person, from Latin persona ("mask", per and soneo - "resound") means precisely "being a mask . In reality, true irony only happens when a situation is the exact opposite of what you would expect. And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." Abigail accuses Tituba first because Tituba is the one person below her on the ladder of power, so she makes an easy scapegoat. These hypocritical actions take away from the authority of the person or people committing them. The main point that the story revolves around is that people would rather lie and blame someone else instead of confessing and accepting the punishment. The attitudes towards women in the 1950s, when the play was written, are evident in the roles they're given. Why is Giles Cory expelled from court? It caused many people, in Salem during this event to think fast, rash and jump to conclusions. 133). He believes there is a group of people in town determined to remove him from this position, and. And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." In this act, she yells Dont lie! at Tituba immediately before she tells some of the most damning lies of the play accusing Tituba of witchcraft (She comes to me while I sleep; shes always making me dream corruptions! pg. Why does John decide to ruin his reputation in Act 3 by confessing to the affair? Proctor's wife, Elizabeth, is accused of being a witch and Proctor has to make a moral decision . Hale also contends with his guilt in act 4 for his role in condemning the accused witches, who he now believes are innocent. No one thinks a teenage orphan girl is capable of such extensive deception (or delusion), so she is consistently trusted. She says, "My name is good in the village! When she is brought in for questioning and claims to see Marys familiar spirit, she says Envy is a deadly sin, Mary.Abigail herself has acted out of envy for the entire play. MPP friends writing about life, love, and everything else in between together. The cause of the hysteria was caused by Reverend Hale, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. Danforths image is extremely valuable to him, and he refuses to allow Parris concerns to disrupt his belief in the validity of his decisions. He questions Abigail aggressively because hes worried his enemies will learn the full story of what happened in the woods first and use it to discredit him. There is a culture of keeping up appearances already in place, which makes it natural for people to lie about witnessing their neighbors partaking in Satanic rituals when the opportunity arises (especially if it means insulating themselves from similar accusations and even achieving personal gain). Her jealousy of Elizabeth Proctors position as Johns wife has led her to attempted murder, first by the charm in the woods and now by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft. Some will be very direct. The court refuses to challenge anyone who claims to have been afflicted. "She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris's house tonight, and without word nor warnin' she falls to the floor. They use children's stories as evidence though not respecting them otherwise. Giles got arrested for contempt. Reverend Hale, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. In this play, the author illustrates the central idea that people should not allow jealousy to control their actions. Salem is under attack from the hysteria that is encouraged by the same people who seek to keep imaginary supernatural demons at bay. Abigail Williams was the main accuser of withes in Salem, and in her accusations she gained power in the town. Danforth is convinced that there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country! and anyone who doubts the decisions of the court is potentially involved. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? 130). This is also the commandment that he has violated most explicitly, so youd think it would be the first one to spring to mind. This attitude comes from a man who has shown no remorse for condemning people to death throughout the play. How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? This hysteria-based evidence of witchcraft includes the discovery of the poppet in the Proctor household with a needle in it. The human lust and want for power has been and is the base of each and every witch-hunt. Hale doesnt realize that his own fears and suspicions are the real powers of the dark. Danforth, who has the most authority, is also the most sold on her act, and it only takes a few screams to persuade him that hes in the presence of witchcraft. In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar. The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. She comes to me while I sleep; shes always making me dream corruptions! pg. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. Greed is a sin in the Puritan religion, so the people who supported the accusations were indeed hypocrites. Though actions are often motivated by fear and desires for power and revenge, they are also propped up by underlying worries about how a loss of reputation will negatively affect characters' lives.

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