Tituba, the slave of Reverend Parris, is the first to admit to dancing with the devil. 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. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. Why does Mary Warren warn John about testifying against Abigail? Can a work of art bring about change in the world? Thomas Putnam tells him to Wait for no one to charge you - declare it yourself.. Hypocrisy In Salem And The Crucible Proctor knows that unlike most of the other people who have gotten hanged, his is not completely innocent. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible 16 is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. The power of collective hysteria ultimately becomes insurmountable because it grows larger than the influence of the few rational voices in the community. In The Crucible, there are many characters that feed into or contribute to the rapid spread of witch hysteria in the small village of Salem. John Proctor sabotages his own reputation in Act 3 after realizing it's the only way he can discredit Abigail. Even Judge Danforth, supposedly a reliable source of justice and solidity, goes against what he knows to be true by forcing those arrested to either confess to crimes they did not commit or face the gallows, all to save his name and prevent it from looking like he had hanged innocent people. 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. When he starts to realize he continues to avoid people from getting mad at him for putting innocent people in jail and killing them. 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. 50). hypocrisy is a flaw in human character that can be avoided if chosen to be. The accused people of Salem are all innocent and have nothing to do with neither witchcraft nor convening with the devil. Abigails power skyrockets as the hysteria grows more severe. The human lust and want for power has been and is the base of each and every witch-hunt. 118). Human Flaws in Arthur Miller's The Crucible Many of the characters in Arthur Miller's The Crucible have specific human flaws that cause the tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials. Later in Act 4, Danforth becomes angry at the implication that Johns confession may not be the truth. Not living up to our beliefs, opinions,virtues, feelings, qualities, or standards is not a hypocrisy.Hypocrisy is pretending (and lying to others) to have them when we don't. And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." He believes there is a group of people in town determined to remove him from this position, and he will say and do whatever it takes to retain control. 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. In Salem the reason why so many women were killed was because of Mass Hysteria. 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. They could either confess to being guilty and is punished and put into jail or deny any relationship with the devil and be hanged and killed. Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. 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. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. Through Abigail Williams, Miller was trying to state the injustice in Salem because she targeted the innocent people, leading to their death. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. The authorities ignore any inconvenient logical objections to the proceedings because they, too, are swept up in the madness. Revered Parris claims to be a godly minister, yet he is always clamoring for more: golden candlesticks, property rights, more money. It can be hard for the deaf and hard of hearing to become engaged in theater. 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. In today's world hypocrisy is demonstrated by everyday citizens and even political leaders. This makes him particularly averse to accepting that he's been fooled by a teenage girl. 22). As this hysteria begins to rise, other people such as Thomas Putnam, a rich landowner, start to also allege Salem villagers. While touting his holy credentials, he claims that he dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of my conscience may doubt it (pg. All rights reserved. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. This website helped me pass! The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. Hypocrisy is "the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform". Mary Warren exemplifies hypocrisy extraordinarily well in the scene when she and Proctor travel to the courthouse so she can confess that the girls have pretended everything and they never actually saw spirits. The faces that people present to the public are designed to garner respect in the community, but the witch trials have thrown this system into disarray. Why do certain characters seem to be blind to the irony of their actions (Abigail, Danforth)? He is known for making the right decisions and never going against them. Abigail William is hypocritical because she does not follow the rules of the Salem trials. This is ironic because, Once the accusations begin, Parris initiates an ironic thought process that persists throughout. When the petition testifying to the good character of the accused women is presented, the reaction from Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris is to arrest the people who signed it rather than considering that this might indicate that the women are innocent. Abigail accuses Tituba first because Tituba is the one person below her on the ladder of power, so she makes an easy scapegoat. Here are a few discussion questions to consider after you've read my summary of how the theme of reputation motivates characters and plot developments in The Crucible: If you're an old beggar woman who sometimes takes shelter in this creepy shack, you better believe these jerks are gonna turn on you as soon as anyone says the word "witch.". I highly recommend you use this site! Miller includes some commentary on Hale: ''One cannot help noting that one of his lines has never yet raised a laugh in any audience that has seen this play; it is his assurance that, 'We cannot look to superstition in this. Tituba is conscious that she is in danger, she is also very frightened because her slave sense has warned her that, as always, trouble in this house eventually lands on her back (Miller, pg. Rational explanations are ground up by the drama of the rumor mill, and people see only what they want to see (whatever keeps them in the good graces of society andmakes them feel the best about themselves) in situations that don't appear to have easy explanations. She continues to act under the assumption that his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, and she does not reveal the affair. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. 73), meaning the girls are testing out the extent of the chaos they can create with their newfound power. you are exactly right. This is ironic becausesearching for "the Devil's marks" as the potential cause of an ailment is inherently superstitious. In Act 2, the value of reputation in Salem starts to butt heads with the power of hysteria and fear to sway peoples opinions (and vengeance to dictate their actions). Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. 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. The irony is that, in the face of Johns rejection, Abigail turns around and creates her own lies soon after that give her increased control over the society she resents. The Crucible by Arthur Miller. These connections will bolster your responses by positioning them in relation to the most important concepts discussed throughout the play. Abigail, the one character who breaks from this mold slightly, is portrayed extremely unsympathetically despite the fact that the power dynamic between her and John makes him far more culpable in their illicit relationship. Many villagers, especially Abigail . 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 (. They say not to use superstition when dealing with the Devil, who is in fact a superstition used to cover up the sinful dealings of the people. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. As John gives his confession, Danforth says to Rebecca Nurse Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. 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). Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. Miller carries the theme of hypocrisy through Parris by giving the reverend a very greedy nature. Reverend Parris is in a position of power as the town's spiritual leader, but he is insecure about his authority. The play is about human weakness, hypocrisy, and vindictiveness. In fact, we've all seen hypocrisy in our daily lives. Ask questions; get answers. Though Danforth is the most powerful official figure in court, Abigail manipulates him easily with her performance as a victim of witchcraft. Themes can be expressed in many different ways. Nowhere is there any consideration of ulterior motives. 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. Arthur Miller's 1953 play, ''The Crucible,'' features hypocrisy as a recurrent theme. As mentioned in the overview, religion holds significant power over the people of Salem. 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. Here are a few questions related to this theme that you can use to test your grasp of irony and its significance as a theme in The Crucible: Hale wrongly assumes that his academic mindset will save him from jumping to the wrong conclusions in the witchcraft investigation. If you hope to write an awesome essay onThe Crucible, you should have extensive knowledge of its themes. The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, is a story where many people had been accused of witchcraft and a lot of innocent victims faced a difficult decision. It is part of our carnal nature to hold others to a higher standard than our own. Here are some discussion questions to consider after reading about the thematic role of the concepts of power and authority in the events of the play: Mary Warren when she comes back from Salem in Act 2. How is Millers underlying message revealed in one of these themes and through the character?". Through this statement he clearly demonstrates his belief that lying will send a person to Hell. Elizabeth is a victim of cruel irony in this Act when she is summoned to testify on the reasons why she dismissed Abigail from her household. The overall message is that when a person's actions are driven by desires to preserve favorable public opinion rather than do the morally right thing, there can be extremely dire consequences. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. He. This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. 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. Will you confess yourself with him? (pg. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. In steadfastly refusing to confess, Rebecca Nurse holds onto a great deal of power. Later in Act 4, Danforth becomes angry at the implication that Johns confession may not be the truth. Miller explains this further: ''long-held hatreds of neighbors could now be openly expressed, and vengeance taken, despite the Bible's charitable injunctions.'' The play loosely follows the tale of Salem and how the trials came to pass. Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. How does the central tragic character change throughout the play, and how does this relate to the play's title? There are several ironies in Act 1 that center around Abigail Williams. He is weak and vulnerable after Abigail's theft of his life's savings, and hes even facing death threats from the townspeople as a result of John and Rebecca's imminent executions. Will you confess yourself with him? (pg. . Instead of living a simple life and managing his duties in the town, he is always complaining that he either does not have enough material items or someone is attacking him, all thoughts that a priest should not be concerning himself with. Is hypocrisy a natural human flaw? He believes there is a group of people in town determined to remove him from this position, and. 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. 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. It is not just, (Miller 129). We hear a lot about hypocrisy, or when someone's actions don't match up with the professed values. This is a lesson in how fear can twist perceptions of reality even for those who consider themselves reasonable under normal circumstances. 12) The first act of The Crucibleclearly establishes the fact that a bad reputation can damage a persons position in this society severely and irreparably. Danforth explains that witchcraft is an invisible crime and that only the victims are reliable. The Crucible is a tragedy play written by Arthur Miller. 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. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. Hypocrisy, actually, didn't have a bad meaning until hypocrisy met politics in the 4th century B.C. 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. The turmoil in Salem is propelled forward by desires for revenge and power that have been simmering beneath the town's placid exterior. How does Parris pride prevent him from doing anything to stop the progression of events in the play? This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. In the final events of Act 4, John Proctor has a tough choice to make between losing his dignity and losing his life. In this act, we learn more details about the accused that paint a clearer picture of the influence of reputation and social standing on the patterns of accusations. 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. Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!" By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. This confess or die mindset is one of the central ironies of the play. . 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. 129). Arthur Millers portrayal of a town in the midst of a downfall The Crucible, tells the story of how mob mentality and hysteria can significantly influence not only individuals but the whole town. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. The accusers cannot present concrete evidences, and their wrongful convictions must be further scrutinized. They're also revealed though events in the plot. 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. How does this philosophy perpetuate hysteria? However, this runs up against Danforths desire to preserve his reputation as a strong judge. The book is about witchcraft or what the town thinks is witchcraft. The hysterical atmosphere and the dramatic performances of some of the accusers cause people to believe they have seen genuine proof of witchcraft. The Crucible is set during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Hypocrisy: A Human Flaw Themes tell us what the purpose of the work is. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. When Hale asks him to recite his commandments, the only one he forgets is adultery. In Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, the events that occurred during the Salem witch trials are dramatized, and the truth of judgement and vengeance is examined in a web of lies amongst the townspeople. Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. The ruthlessness with which the suspected witches are treated is aimed at purifying Salem, but it achieves the opposite outcome. 50). What makes Danforth so unwilling to consider that the girls could be pretending? The most substantial female character is Abigail, who is portrayed as a devious and highly sexualized young woman. She is clearly outspoken and dominant, but her initial position in society is one of very little influence and authority. While I speak Gods law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering (pg. In Arthur Miller's stunning play, The Crucible, a primary character named John Proctor has an affair with a young woman named Abigail Williams. As we discussed in this lesson, we see hypocrisy everywhere, and its depiction in art is no exception. This shows us how one person who starts. 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. All rights reserved. Of course, we know that Danforth has been trading peoples lives for lies this whole time. Choose a single character and discuss how this person embodies one of the themes. 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. In the Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play that is based of 1962 Salem Massachusetts, the site of one of the worst witch-hunts in history. Act 4 is Danforths turn to shine in the irony department. 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How is Parris fate in act 4 ironic when considering his role in the events of the play? The girls are essentially given permission by authority figures to continue their act because they are made to feel special and important for their participation. The play, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller demonstrates the implications of a society in complete chaos over an irrational fear of witchcraft in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. The judges cannot force her to commit herself to a lie, and her martyrdom severely damages their legitimacy and favor amongst the townspeople. " jesus christThe simple answer is of course, yes! 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. 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). I chose . The Salem villagers exhibit failings, including greed, vengeance, and fear, which eventually lead to the downfall of their town. Okay, let's take a moment to review. Johns concern for his reputation is strong throughout the play, and his hesitation to reveal Abigails true nature is a product of his own fears of being labeled an adulterer. Mary is a hypocrite, because she's supposed to be helping the church rid of conjurers of the devil but instead she is deceitful. In a way. Answer (1 of 7): In that all states of mind occur due to the nature of the brain, yes, hypocrisy is natural in people with that tendency. I feel like its a lifeline. When the petition testifying to the good character of the accused women is presented, the reaction from Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris is to arrest the people who signed it rather than considering that this might indicate that the women are innocent. Proctors strengths consist of, honesty and pride. An error occurred trying to load this video. makes them feel the best about themselves. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. In each paragraph these traits will be further explained . She continues to act under the assumption that his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, and she does not reveal the affair. John tells the judge to summon Elizabeth to back him up because he knows she always tells the truth. Giles Cory was expelled from court because he would not list people who signed the document about Putnam wanting to take land. First off, what is irony? There are two examples of Ad hominem from The Crucible in Act 2 and Act 3. Danforth also becomes frustrated with Proctor when he wont name names in his confession: Mr. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. Theme 3: Reputation. Abigail also shows concern for her reputation. Historical Context. In this environment, whoever yells the loudest seems to get the most credibility. The fact that he forgets only this commandment shows that he is trying extremely hard to repress his guilt. This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. Parris begs Danforth to postpone their hangings because he fears for his life if the executions proceed as planned. Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. He appears to have no governing system of morality. Irony abounds throughout The Crucibleascharacters who believe they are combating the Devils handiwork actually perform it themselves. A theme is a central topic that is addressed by a work of literature. They so fear the devilish consequences of challenging the accusers that theyre willing to take them at their word and ignore any defenses the accused have to offer. Miller fills us in on much of the history in breaks in the play where he offers commentary in his own voice. 129)He is still convinced that all the prisoners are guilty and is determined to force them to admit their guilt. Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. This hysteria-based evidence of witchcraft includes the discovery of the poppet in the Proctor household with a needle in it. As Reverend Hale says to Danforth, Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots cry will end his life - and you wonder yet if rebellions spoke? (Act 4, pg. Hypocrisy is just one of many personality traits along many spectrums. Abigail distracts the judges from any rational investigation in this act by playing into this hysteria. Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. 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. To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. The town suspected her of lewd dealings, so she was put to death for it. In another section, Miller explains the teachings of the Puritans and how it related to the mess that the trials became: ''These people had no ritual for the washing away of sins. Judge Danforth a well respected man in the society that has the supreme rule over the court. He is completely oblivious to the fact that the victims might be lying. Jennifer has taught high school English for eight years and has a master's degree in curriculum and assessment. As the story progresses, Danforth and many other officials begin to realize that the entire situation in Salem progressed to far and honest people will continue to die unless they can convince people to lie in order to save themselves. I propose that each and every one of us is, or at some time has been, guilty of hyopcrisy. He is completely oblivious to the fact that the victims might be lying. 118). . A Comprehensive Guide. As said in the documents I read, the theme is "the fundamental and often universal idea of a literary artwork". This attitude comes from a man who has shown no remorse for condemning people to death throughout the play. Parris is very quick to position himself on the side of the accusers as soon as Abigail throws the first punch, and he immediately threatens violence on Tituba if she doesn't confess (pg. In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller repeatedly portrays that duplicity and deceit are a natural part of human lives. Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. Danforth also acts out of concern for his reputations here. Posted at 02:28h in motion to dismiss child support arrears by how does shakespeare present lady macbeth as ambitious. What motivates their attitudes and responses toward the witch trials? The seeds are planted in Act 1, when Abigail is questioned about her activities in the woods and ends up accusing Tituba of witchcraft to avoid punishment. Proctors good reputation is almost a burden for him at this point because he knows that he doesnt deserve it. 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. 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! Though the play is fictional, the characters are named after real people who lived in Salem during that time. The Crucible is commonly viewed as an allegorical representation of the communist "witch hunts" conducted in the 1950s. John feels incredibly ashamed of his affair with Abigail, so he tries to bury it and pretend it never happened. Parris initially insists that there are no unnatural causes for Bettys illness because he fears that he will lose favor with the townspeople if witchcraft is discovered under his roof. Reverend Parris has fallen from his position of authority as a result of the outcomes of the trials. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? Salem is under attack from the hysteria that is encouraged by the same people who seek to keep imaginary supernatural demons at bay. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. Abigail Williams was the main accuser of withes in Salem, and in her accusations she gained power in the town. This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows.