Removing #book# The tony-award winning play The Crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller. He fails to see that it is the very system of government in Salem, in which secular justice is subordinated to the dictates of a narrow interpretation of Scripture, that has led to the endless round of persecution which he now realizes has gotten completely out of hand. She can voice all of her hostility toward her master, Parris, and it is simply excused as suggestions from the devil. At the same time, she can declare that she has seen white people with the devil, thus (for the first time in her life, probably) giving her power over the white community. Download Lecture notes - The Crucible Act 2: FILM ANALYSIS | University of Luxemburg (UL) | What role does theocracy play in the plot thus far? (In The Crucible the Rev. his name is his rep . What is the purpose behind this change? Danforth cannot and will not recognize this fact. The accused people of Salem are all innocent and have nothing to do with neither witchcraft nor convening with the devil. Such a confession would dishonour his fellow prisoners, who are brave enough to die as testimony to the truth. Material, physical and sexual desires were considered the Devils work and a threat to the very fabric of society. John Hale, the intellectual, nave witch-hunter, enters the play in Act I when Parris summons him to examine his daughter, Betty. 1. The Puritan community was a patriarchal society. John Proctor is accused for consorting with the devil and he becomes selfless and upholds his beliefs because of the consequences he might of faced. Indeed, most of the deaths that have occurred by the end of the play might not have happened at all if it were not for the town's theocratic sensibilities. The Crucible, Arthur Miller's 1953 realist play, is based on the historical events of the 1692 Salem witch hunts.Although partially fictionalised, it depicts the very real consequences of false accusations based on blind religious faith, as Miller displays the dangers of such baseless rumours.However, the play was written during another type of witch hunt: McCarthyism in 1950s America. Proctors confession succeeds only in leading to his arrest and conviction as a witch, and though he verbally attacks the court and its proceedings, he is also aware of his terrible role in allowing this fervor to grow unchecked. The hysteria reminded Miller of the Salem Witch Trials, the setting of the Crucible, where the paranoia of witches among the Puritans sent the town into a hurricane of chaos, leading to multiple catastrophic and unnecessary deaths. In The Crucible, a tragedy written by Arthur Miller, it displays the tragedy and wrongful convictions of the townsfolk of Salem. No one stops to think whether they're doing the right thing. There should be: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. The Crucible can be seen as symbolic of the paranoia about commof Un-American Activities Committees rooting out of suspected communists during this time and the seventeenth-century witch-hunt that Miller depicts in The Crucible, including the narrow-mindedness, excessive zeal, and disregard for the individuals that characterise the governments effort to stamp out a perceived social ill. Just as had happened with the alleged witches of Salem, suspected Communists during McCarthys reign of terror were encouraged to confess their crimes and to name names, identifying others sympathetic to their radical cause. How could such situations have been avoided? Tom________(not/work) every day. This is a beloved errand for him; on being called here to ascertain witchcraft he has felt the pride of the specialist whose unique knowledge has at last been publicly called for. Hale enters in a flurry of activity, carrying large books and projecting an air of great knowledge. Could any of the characters in The Crucible have done more to end the hysteria in Salem? Because the girls cannot dance within Salem, they must retreat into the woods outside of Salem in order to indulge in physical pleasure. When Mary Warren testifies against them, what do Abigail and her troop of girls do? Answered by meenu8464 The Crucible, recounts the struggles of a town obsessed with uncovering "witches". This worldly abuse of Religion can be seen when members of Salem. I (be)________a nurse. Ask learners to think about ways in which many women in todays society have overcome their submissive position and then get them to discuss both the positive and negative results of this empowerment. He is hanged because he stood up for his moral rights, and he does not say what the court wants to hear from him, a confession. 6.These (be not)__________her father's books. The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Lisa's Study Guides If someone was not a part of the church or did not attend every Sunday they were thought to be a witch, or at least dishonorable. Why is Danforth skeptical of the evidence that Proctor and the others present to the court? Eventually, though, Proctors attempts to reveal Abigail as a fraud without revealing the crucial information about their affair fail, and he makes a public confession of his sin. Kibin does not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of the essays in the library; essay content should not be construed as advice. Arthur Miller's THE CRUCIBLE | Teaching English Today Neighbors turn on neighbors, and even the most holy church-goers are accused of being the devils servants. The Puritans believed that they were on God's errand, and that if they failed in that errand, they would do so quite publicly and bring down God's wrath upon them. In the end, Rebecca, Franciss virtuous wife, is convicted of the supernatural murders of Ann Putnams dead babies. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. What role does theocracy play in the plot thus far? Consider who ruled by God, meaning all reverends are divinely guided by God and rule in the name of him. The audience, inevitably, will have other interpretations of this concept. Throughout the small, Puritan, seaside community of Salem, rumors and accusations fly like gusts of ocean wind. (A) She kills herself. Power is defined by ones reputation, status, wealth, gender, and age; although the natural deciding factor of ones power in the Puritan society is land, the Devil himself holds ultimate power. 17. In a theocracy, the supreme basis for government is a religion and, by extension, a religious text. What role does it play in the action? Abigail denies that she and the other girls were participating in witchcraft, but Parris suspects she is lying. Although all the characters show theocracy's effects on their personalities, the ones who show this most clearly are those who have government and religious influence in the city, such as Reverend Parris, Herrick, Judge Hathorne and Judge Danforth. The "unseen" scene in the woods, which takes place before the action of the play, figuratively sets the stage. Likewise, many other laws the Puritans held were not necessarily consider unlawful in a Democratic government. Answer: That's actually a really good question. Even Reverend Hale's eventual objections to the witch-trials are based on what he sees as the violation of due process and natural justice. Only then does he realize that it is too late, that matters have gone too far, and that not even the truth can break the powerful frenzy that he has allowed Abigail to whip up. John hale is an example of outward conformity because he believes in the devil in the beginning, he sees that the girls are. Which characters demonstrate the effects of theocracy? What are his motivations in supporting the witch trials? The governing body of Salem, at the time of the witch trials, was a theocracy. Which commandment does John Proctor forget when Reverend Hale quizzes him? However, there are plenty of simmering feuds and rivalries in the small town that have nothing to do with religion, and many Salem residents take advantage of the trials to express long-held grudges and exact revenge on their enemies. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-role-of-theocracy-in-the-crucible-a-play-by-arthur-miller-fWZOf4Ff Be sure to capitalize proper nouns (e.g. Arthur Millers The Crucible highlights the detrimental effects of the religious court, and the impact Puritan societal norms had on its citizens. Proctors refusal to provide a false confession is a true religious and personal stand. In Arthur Millers The Crucible, he characterizes John Proctor as the tragic hero of the story because of all that he lost, through his relentless crusade to free his wife and exposing injustice, illustrating that no hero is perfect. In order to assist learners to better understand the main characters in The Crucibleask them to identify at least 3 good and 3 bad points in each character and to say which characteristics are the most dominant and the affecs this has on the development of the play. There are many reasons people choose to do things in life whether or not they will turn out well in the end. from your Reading List will also remove any The wealthy, ambitious Thomas Putnam revenges Francis Nurse by getting Nurses virtuous wife Rebecca convicted of the supernatural murders of Ann Putnams babies. The Crucible: Themes | SparkNotes The Author Charles Frazier wrote in his book Cold Mountain [No] matter what a waste a man has made of ones life, it is ever possible to find some path to redemption, however partial John Proctor is a prime example of this quote. Similar scenes are replayed in historic documentaries about Chairman Maos cultural revolution in the Peoples Republic of China. John Proctor was a man of great integrity and knew he did nothing wrong. In the 21st century, monarchies remain pivotal parts of several democratic countries across Europe, including the UK. The Crucible begins in the house of Reverend Samuel Parris, whose daughter, Betty, lies unconscious in bed upstairs. Miller demonstrates how much power a sole in-dividual can have when the decisions made by that person effect a whole community. 7.Huong (be not)______________in class 7A . By refusing to give up his personal integrity Proctor goes to the gallows redeemed for his earlier sins. Frank, Theocracy In The Crucible, A Drama By Arthur Miller, Almost every part of life follows a format or set of rules; The Crucible, a drama by Arthur Miller, is no exception. Although the Puritans left England to avoid religious persecution, they established a society in America founded upon religious intolerance. Remember, a theocracy is a government ruled by God, meaning all reverends are divinely guided by God and rule in the name of him. Among the minor characters, the wealthy, ambitious Thomas Putnam has a bitter grudge against Francis Nurse for a number of reasons: Nurse prevented Putnams brother-in-law from being elected to the Salem ministry, and Nurse is also engaged in a bitter land dispute with one of Putnams relatives. What role does theocracy play in the plot thus far? I usually_______(go) to school. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Her sexual jealousy, accentuated by Proctors termination of their affair, provides the spark for the witch trials; Proctor thus bears some responsibility for what occurs. What does Abigail do at the end of the play? One of the aspects that prompted Miller to write The Crucible; was exploring the tragedy of people who, under social pressure, lose their integrity. In order to express their innate desires (whether innocent or not), the girls must go outside of the community into the wilderness. The Crucible Act 2: FILM ANALYSIS | Lecture notes Acting | Docsity As the play goes on however Millers representation of proctor can sway the opinions they have of John when he decides to let himself be hanged for good reason. The trials in The Crucible take place against the backdrop of a deeply religious and superstitious society, and most of the characters in the play seem to believe that rooting out witches from their community is Gods work. Here are some ways our essay examples library can help you with your assignment: Read our Academic Honor Code for more information on how to use (and how not to use) our library. Tension between Catholics and Protestants continued throughout the 1600s until England erupted into civil war, and the leaders of the Puritan Party executed King Charles I and made their leader, Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England in 1653. Log in here. In order to assist learners to better understand the context in which The Crucible was written ask them to identify and research the following issues: 2. 6 She never________(help) me with that! However, Abigail is clearly the villain of the play; she tells lies, manipulates her friends and the entire town, and eventually sends nineteen innocent people to their deaths. He insists that survival is the highest good, even if it means accommodating oneself to injusticesomething that the truly heroic characters can never accept. Abigail is a very beautiful seventeen-year-old girl and one of the major characters in the play. Essay On Theocracy In The Crucible - 1009 Words | 123 Help Me Because Salem was part of a theocracy during this era, there was no distinction between church and state: the ecclesiastical and the civic were one and the same. (C) Abigail dressed like a prostitute. It can change a persons life, or end it. Abigail is the least complex character in the play and her rather static nature does not change through the play. (B) They are too long. (B) It orders him stoned to death. Similar to the Salem Witch Trials, the Bible foretells of a time when unstable conditions would abound, a certain group of people would face persecuted, and people will have to confront a moral dilemma similar to the one presented in the Crucible. What is the, 6. What is a quote from Miller's The Cruciblethat can prove theocracy existed in Salem? Explain. The Crucible came to be in the 1950s, a time where the fear of Communists in the country was rampant and creating unnecessary chaos through the United States. C.theyre People who were accused of witchcraft are wrongfully indicted, and those transgressions must be justified. He dies and, in doing so, feels that he has finally purged his guilt for his failure to stop the trials when he had the chance. Parris frequently alludes to the fact that it has taken him 2 long years to gain the support of the community, while John Proctor challenges Parris over his request for the deeds of the parsonage.). Powerless in daily life, these girls find a sudden source of power in their alleged possession by the devil and hysterical denunciations of their fellow townsfolk. As the play opens, whom has Parris asked to come to Salem? Religion has not tamed the forests or the heathen Indians that inhabit them, so the Puritans view the woods as the Devil's stronghold. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. A crucible is an object in which substances are combined and then subjected to high temperatures. 3. The town of Salem lives under a theocracy that ultimately destroys the town. Character List. What role does theocracy play in the plot thus far? Explain. Salem Village was torn by internal disputes between neighbours who disagreed about the choice of Samuel Parris as their first ordained minister, and about the choice to grant him the deed to the parsonage as part of his compensation. 15. 8.You (be)_________a nurse? It is for this reason that Salem empowered the clergy so much. How has Reverend Hale changed? (Giles Corey accuses Thomas Putman of persuading his daughter to call out for a witch so that he could purchase her property. (2023). The following questions are taken from http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/crucible/themes.html: Study Question 1. Dictionaries up for grabs! Intolerance. (In The Crucible, Abigale Williams and her friends, Mary Warren and Mercy Lewis, all worked as servants in the homes of Salem villagers. With the conditions seen today, another one of these witch hunts is possible in our modern day time period. He knows that a group of townspeople want to remove him from Salem, and a witchcraft scandal involving his family would give them the power to oust him from the town. The essays in our library are intended to serve as content examples to inspire you as you write your own essay. Remember, a theocracy is a government ruled by God, meaning all reverends are divinely guided by God and To have your reputation dismantled is like taking away one 's accomplishments and lifes work. The role of theocracy in the crucible, a play by arthur miller. (A) Keeps silent (B) Tells a lie (C) Tells the truth (D) Kills herself. This preview is partially blurred. Miller's purpose is to detail the flawed processes often used to determined one's guiltiness as a witch, as well as to provide a fictional description of the witch trials. Parris fears that if Proctor is to be hanged, then the town will attempt to overthrow the court for its dishonesty and rebel against him. What does Proctor mean by these lines, and what do they contribute to your interpretation of the play? Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. Ask learners to think about intolerance in their own communities, schools and extended families, (eg xenophobia in South Africa, intolerance towards people who are HIV/AIDS positive). In Salem, the governmental system is theocracy. This allows our team to focus on improving the library and adding new essays. Why will Elizabeth not be hanged if she is found guilty? Why does Proctor retract his confession? How many people die in Arthur Miller's The Crucible? Compare the roles that Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams play in The Crucible. As a result, the Church and the people in its service were people of prominence and power. Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________ Period: _______. Already a member? Reading example essays works the same way! to view the complete essay. It was a theocracy with something to prove. And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! There is no questioning that Danforth . Discuss the changes that Reverend Hale undergoes in the course of the play. After Parris came out of the bushes, Betty lost consciousness and has remained in a stupor ever since. Abigail Williams may be wicked, but Judge Danforth represents something more agonizing: tyranny. 5. How may I live without my name? Why are Danforth, Hathorne, and the other authorities so resistant to believing the claim that Abigail and the other girls are lying? The consequences of the tyranny of conformity sat at the forefront of his mind. Kibin. 7 Martha and Kevin______(swim) twice a week. A Newsweek article written by Reuter reveals that even 2017s government cannot escape falling in line with a certain structure. The empowerment of previously marginalised people is usually regarded as a positive action. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . He commits adultery, but confesses to the jury about cheating on his wife with Abigail Williams, knowing it will mess up his own reputation in the village. This means he cares for his friends and is truly a good man. The theocracy was designed to bolster this, judging individuals on both political and spiritual levels. In The Crucible, Miller puts the Puritan church and theocracy on trial for hypocrisy and abuse of power. How many people die in Arthur Miller's The Crucible? 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Essential Quotes by Character: John Proctor, Critical Context (Masterplots II: Juvenile & Young Adult Literature Series), Critical Context (Comprehensive Guide to Drama). 5. A motive for Proctors confession is for Reverend Parris and Danforths reputations to be upheld and avoid a rebellion of the townspeople against the court and leaders. ), Increasing family size fuelled disputes over land between neighbours and within families, (such as those between Thomas Putnam and Giles Corey). Infographic PLUS Essays Central Idea Essay: Who Is Actually on Trial in the Play? Proctors biggest flaw would be his great amounts of pride, which unfortunately led to his own death. Government and religious authority are virtually inseparable, and individuals who question local authority are accused of questioning divine authority. Proctor, the plays tragic hero, has the conscience of an honest man, but he also has a secret flawhis past affair with Abigail.