Danforths image is extremely valuable to him, and he refuses to allow Parris concerns to disrupt his belief in the validity of his decisions. In The Crucible, they all fear witchcraft, because there is a rumor going around. Danforth has extensive pride in his intelligence and perceptiveness. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. It is a somewhat fictional play about the Salem Witch Trials. She openly threatens Danforth for even entertaining Mary and John's accusations of fraud against her. Deception is a major driving force inThe Crucible. How is the arrest of Rebecca Nurse a sign that the hysteria in Salem has gotten out of control? succeed. This website helped me pass! 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. (pg. 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. Here's another example of a potential essay question for The Crucible that's less explicit in its request for you to discuss themes of the play: "Most of the main characters in the play have personal flaws and either contribute to or end up in tragedy. 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 act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, we have Rebecca Nurse. The attitudes towards women in the 1950s, when the play was written, are evident in the roles they're given. This is ironic becausesearching for "the Devil's marks" as the potential cause of an ailment is inherently superstitious. Hypocrisy: A Human Flaw Though Rebecca Nurse's involvement has already been corroborated by other confessors, Danforth demands to hear it from John to confirm that John is fully committed to renouncing his supposed ties to Satan. Hale pg. Can a work of art bring about change in the world? 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. By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. Rebecca Nurse's accusation further demonstrates the hypocrisy in the play. Reverend Parris, the paranoid widower and heaven-ordained minister of the town of Salem, was, simply put, a hypocrite. To illustrate, here are some examples of . Because, the people of Salem will find out about the affair, this would weaken his reputation. Historical Context. It is part of our carnal nature to hold others to a higher standard than our own. Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. They use children's stories as evidence though not respecting them otherwise. 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. Abigail accuses Tituba first because Tituba is the one person below her on the ladder of power, so she makes an easy scapegoat. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. 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). . Miller depicts through characters such as these that humans cannot exist without the flaw of hypocrisy. 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. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. In this environment, whoever yells the loudest seems to get the most credibility. Salem is under attack from the hysteria that is encouraged by the same people who seek to keep imaginary supernatural demons at bay. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in The Crucible. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in The Crucible. This hysteria-based evidence of witchcraft includes the discovery of the poppet in the Proctor household with a needle in it. Ironically, he is the first to demand a confession from Tituba based on Abigail's dramatic but false testimony. He is appalled by Elizabeths lack of emotion when he asks her to help the court get a confession out of her husband (pg. The other two main female characters, Elizabeth and Mary Warren, are somewhat bland. Rebecca Nurse, a woman whose character was previously thought to be unimpeachable, is accused and arrested. An error occurred trying to load this video. The court refuses to challenge anyone who claims to have been afflicted. 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. If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. 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. Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. 133). The Crucible is not only a dramatization of . Abigail accuses Tituba first because Tituba is the one person below her on the ladder of power, so she makes an easy scapegoat. As much as I loved Bernie Sanders, he made millions of dollars while preaching for democratic. Salem is under attack from the hysteria that is encouraged by the same people who seek to keep imaginary supernatural demons at bay. 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. 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. 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. This well-intentioned mistake seals both of their fates. 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. Is reputation more important than truth? 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. A real example of irony would be if two married guests got into a fight about going to your wedding that ended in their divorce. Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. While I speak Gods law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering (pg. The judges cannot force her to commit herself to a lie, and her martyrdom severely damages their legitimacy and favor amongst the townspeople. The judges cannot force her to commit herself to a lie, and her martyrdom severely damages their legitimacy and favor amongst the townspeople. you are exactly right. John tells the judge to summon Elizabeth to back him up because he knows she always tells the truth. One single example is ; Corporate and political greed and desire for power is the reason for most of the suffering as claimed by many. The hypocrisy in this statement is almost funny. Demosthenes made fun of Aeschines, a famous Greek politician who was also an actor, basically . The cause of the hysteria was caused by Reverend Hale, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. 130). Essay prompts will ask about these themes in a variety of different ways. Abigail also shows concern for her reputation. Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. This lie essentially condemns both of them. John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. 50). Themes can be expressed in many different ways. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a dramatic play that expresses a very important message and that is how far people would go to save themselves from the hands of death. Danforth makes a shocking argument defending the way the trials have been conducted, insisting that only the victims testimony can serve as reliable evidence in this type of trial. . 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. Even before the witch trials, the people of Salem are doing lots of little magic tricks to make all their unholy thoughts and actions disappear. Why doesnt John immediately tell the court that he knows Abigail is faking? 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. Shes not a traditionally accepted target like the others (except in her susceptibility as a woman to the misogyny that runs rampant in the play). The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. Abigail's strength in Act I is the strength that is within her ability to influence others. Why wont Danforth hear his evidence? No one considers that the accusers are lying, partially because theyre seen as innocent children and partially because many witches confess to avoid the death penalty. . He wrote the play as an allegory of McCarthyism, when the US government discriminated communists. This new power is exciting and very dangerous because it encourages the girls to make additional accusations in order to preserve their value in the eyes of the court. What are their strengths and personal flaws? Why does Mary Warren warn John about testifying against Abigail? 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. John Proctor sabotages his own reputation in Act 3 after realizing it's the only way he can discredit Abigail. He is known for making the right decisions and never going against them. 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. These two institutions fuse together in The Crucible to actively encourage accusers and discourage rational explanations of events. Okay, let's take a moment to review. The only power they have left is in refusing to confess and preserving their integrity. Danforth insists that John must know more about the Devil's dealings than he has revealed. Elizabeth notes that Mary's demeanor is now like that of the daughter of a prince (pg. Danforth explains his inability to free the accused people because, twelve are already hanged for the same crime. In the play there was a character by the name of John Proctor; Proctor was a family man that made a huge mistake. Greed is a sin in the Puritan religion, so the people who supported the accusations were indeed hypocrites. The Devil is precise.'' Why do certain characters seem to be blind to the irony of their actions (Abigail, Danforth)? The life of such man is ruled by the desire to seek the truth and justice in all that surrounds him, including himself. If you can show that you understand the themes of a work of literature, you've clearly mastered the material on a deeper level. By examining the characters of the play, I believe that the three major characters who should be blamed the most for the witch trials are Abigail Williams. He appears to have no governing system of morality. Abigails low status and perceived innocence under normal circumstances allow her to claim even greater power in her current situation. Examples Of Hypocrisy In The Crucible. Nowhere is there any consideration of ulterior motives. Envy, Selfishness, and lust for money/power demonstrate the flaws of humanity through the actions of Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and Thomas Putnam. Why is Giles Cory expelled from court? Proctor is infuriated. 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. 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. The prisoners have lost all faith in earthly authority figures and look towards the judgment of God. Mary Warrens sense of self-importance has increased as a result of the perceived value of her participation in court. Judge Danforth a well respected man in the society that has the supreme rule over the court. These are themes that could be considered subsets of the topics detailed in the previous sections, but there's also room to discuss them as topics in their own right. 41). It is not just, (Miller 129). 130). The each profess to want truth and to desire to punish actual wrongdoers. 91). No one even considers Mary's statement about sticking the needle in herself. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 118). As he says, How may I live without my name? And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." This well-intentioned mistake seals both of their fates. His only goal is to get on the good side of the community as a whole, even in the midst of this bout of collective hysteria. Arthur Miller speaks of Reverend Parris, stating: ''until this strange crisis he, like the rest of Salem, never conceived that the children were anything but thankful for being permitted to walk straight, eyes slightly lowered, arms at the sides, and mouths shut until bidden to speak.''. 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. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? Many of the conflicts that occurred in the play were caused by Abigail Williams. 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. Irony abounds throughout The Crucibleascharacters who believe they are combating the Devils handiwork actually perform it themselves. 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. Later in Act 4, Danforth becomes angry at the implication that Johns confession may not be the truth. 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. -Hypocrisy is the state of falsely claiming to possess virtuous characteristics that one lacks. 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. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible 16 is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. In this environment, whoever yells the loudest seems to get the most credibility. Abigails many deceptions are sometimes laughably ironic as she chastises others for lying even as she is spinning falsehoods. 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. Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. 68 lessons What motivates their attitudes and responses toward the witch trials? Later in the play, she is accused. 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. How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? This shows us how one person who starts. Parris is hypocritical because he is not a . How does this philosophy perpetuate hysteria? Miller explains this further: ''long-held hatreds of neighbors could now be openly expressed, and vengeance taken, despite the Bible's charitable injunctions.'' The Devil has returned putting children under his control is what many people believed in Salem village in 1962.