Fear plays a big part in "The Cruicilbe" as it helps so convey the different figures of power and show the effect of certain decisions in the town. The fear in the town represents the fear people had for the justice system in America at the time of McCartyism. Fear is presented in the text through a number of ways - one of these is how different characters are portrayed.
In the beginning of the play we see BETTY fake being ill as she is afraid of getting in to trouble. This shows the effect the strict rules the girls live under have on them.
Throughout the play REV.PARIS is afraid of losing his reputation and money - his fear shows the corruption in his character and fault as a reverand as he is more afraid for himself than he is for anyone else including his daughter!
"But if you traffiked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it."
This show his fear of losing his job and reputation.
Parris' fear is also shown through his interjection everytime there is a sign of faith in Abigail being lost.
"Your Honour, this is all a - " This shows he is desperate to protect HIMSELF!
THE GIRLS in particular, Mary Warren, all convey fear as they are afraid of both getting into trouble AND betraying Abigail. Abigail sees their fear however, and uses it to manipulate them!
We see Mary Warren's fear when Proctor suggests she confess! Stating "I cannot, they'll turn on me - " we see just how much hold over the girls Abigail has.
THE ACCUSED convey the fear in the town of Salem. They are afraid to confess as they would obviously be lying, which is a sin.
"Would you give them such a lie?...It is evil."
Some of the people do confess because they do not want to die!
The town are stuck between dying and lying and everyone is afraid of judgement in one form or another.
ABIGAIL uses the town's fear of witchcraft to turn it around and get herself out of trouble. She also causes fear in the minds of the girls as they are all afraid to step out of line with her! They all stick to her story and when Mary confesses Abigail uses the 'yellow bird' to get her back on side!
By turning against here we see just how she can manipulate people with their fear.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
Next Term....
After Christmas we will be looking at a number of different poems. I will be posting them up here between now and then so that you can have a look at them and become with familiar with them over the Christmas break.
This is the first one:
"Victor Was a Little Baby" by W.H. Auden
Victor was a little baby,
Into this world he came;
His father took him on his knee and said:
'Don't dishonour the family name.'
Victor looked up at his father
Looked up with big round eyes:
His father said; 'Victor, my only son,
Don't you ever ever tell lies.'
Victor and his father went riding
Out in a little dog-cart;
His father took a Bible from his pocket and read;'
Blessed are the pure in heart.'
It was a frosty December
Victor was only eighteen,
But his figures were neat and his margins were straight
And his cuffs were always clean.
He took a room at the Peveril,
A respectable boarding-house;
And Time watched Victor day after day
As a cat will watch a mouse.
The clerks slapped Victor on the shoulder;
'Have you ever had woman?' they said,
'Come down town with us on Saturday night.
'Victor smiled and shook his head.
The manager sat in his office,
Smoked a Corona cigar:
Said; 'Victor's a decent fellow but
He's too mousy to go far.'
Victor went up the his bedroom,
Set the alarum bell;
Climbed into bed, took his Bible and read
Of what happened to Jezebel.
It was the First of April,
Anna to the Peveril came;
Her eyes, her lips, her breasts, her hips
And her smile set men aflame,
She looked as pure as a schoolgirl
On her First Communion day,
But her kisses were like the best champagne
When she gave herself away.
It was the Second of April.
She was wearing a coat of fur;
Victor met her upon the stair
And he fell in love with her.
The first time he made his proposal,
She laughed, said; 'I'll never wed;
The second time there was a pause;
Then she smiled and shook her head.
Anna looked into her mirror,
Pouted and gave a frown:
Said 'Victor's as dull as a wet afternoon
But I've got to settle down.'
The third time he made his proposal,
As they walked by the Reservoir:
She gave him a kiss like a blow on the head,
Said; 'You are my heart's desire.'
They were married early in August,
She said; 'Kiss me, you funny boy';
Victor took her in his arms and said;
'O my Helen of Troy.'
It was the middle of September,
Victor came to the office one day;
He was wearing a flower in his buttonhole,
He was late but he was gay.
The clerks were talking of Anna,
The door was just ajar:
One said, 'Poor old Victor, but where ignorance
Is bliss, et cetera.'
Victor stood still as a statue,
The door was just ajar:
One said, 'God, what fun I had with her
In that Baby Austin car.'
Victor walked out into the High Street,
He walked to the edge of town:
He came to the allotments and the rubbish heap
And his tears came tumbling down.
Victor looked up at the sunset
As he stood there all alone;
Cried; 'Are you in Heaven, Father?'
But the sky said 'Address not known'.
Victor looked at the mountains,
The mountains all covered in snow
Cried; 'Are you pleased with me, Father?'
And the answer came back, No.
Victor came to the forest,
Cried: 'Father, will she ever be true?'
And the oaks and the beeches shook their heads
And they answered: 'Not to you.'
Victor came to the meadow
Where the wind went sweeping by:
Cried; 'O Father, I love her so',
But the wind said, 'She must die'.
Victor came to the river
Running so deep and so still:
Crying; 'O Father, what shall I do?'
And the river answered, 'Kill'.
Anna was sitting at table,
Drawing cards from a pack;
Anna was sitting at table
Waiting for her husband to come back.
It wasn't the Jack of Diamonds
Nor the Joker she drew first;
It wasn't the King or the Queen of Hearts
But the Ace of Spades reversed.
Victor stood in the doorway,
He didn't utter a word:
She said; 'What's the matter, darling?'
He behaved as if he hadn't heard.
There was a voice in his left ear,
There was a voice in his right,
There was a voice at the base of his skull
Saying, 'She must die tonight.'
Victor picked up a carving-knife,
His features were set and drawn,
Said; 'Anna it would have been better for you
If you had not been born.'
Anna jumped up from the table,
Anna started to scream,
But Victor came slowly after her
Like a horror in a dream.
She dodged behind the sofa,
She tore down a curtain rod,
But Victor came slowly after her:
Said; 'Prepare to meet thy God.'
She managed to wrench the door open,
She ran and she didn't stop.
But Victor followed her up the stairs
And he caught her at the top.
He stood there above the body,
He stood there holding the knife;
And the blood ran down the stairs and sang,'
I'm the Resurrection and the Life'.
They tapped Victor on the shoulder,
They took him away in a van;
He sat as quiet as a lump of moss
Saying, 'I am the Son of Man'.
Victor sat in a corner
Making a woman of clay:
Saying; 'I am Alpha and Omega, I shall come
To judge the earth some day.'
This is the first one:
"Victor Was a Little Baby" by W.H. Auden
Victor was a little baby,
Into this world he came;
His father took him on his knee and said:
'Don't dishonour the family name.'
Victor looked up at his father
Looked up with big round eyes:
His father said; 'Victor, my only son,
Don't you ever ever tell lies.'
Victor and his father went riding
Out in a little dog-cart;
His father took a Bible from his pocket and read;'
Blessed are the pure in heart.'
It was a frosty December
Victor was only eighteen,
But his figures were neat and his margins were straight
And his cuffs were always clean.
He took a room at the Peveril,
A respectable boarding-house;
And Time watched Victor day after day
As a cat will watch a mouse.
The clerks slapped Victor on the shoulder;
'Have you ever had woman?' they said,
'Come down town with us on Saturday night.
'Victor smiled and shook his head.
The manager sat in his office,
Smoked a Corona cigar:
Said; 'Victor's a decent fellow but
He's too mousy to go far.'
Victor went up the his bedroom,
Set the alarum bell;
Climbed into bed, took his Bible and read
Of what happened to Jezebel.
It was the First of April,
Anna to the Peveril came;
Her eyes, her lips, her breasts, her hips
And her smile set men aflame,
She looked as pure as a schoolgirl
On her First Communion day,
But her kisses were like the best champagne
When she gave herself away.
It was the Second of April.
She was wearing a coat of fur;
Victor met her upon the stair
And he fell in love with her.
The first time he made his proposal,
She laughed, said; 'I'll never wed;
The second time there was a pause;
Then she smiled and shook her head.
Anna looked into her mirror,
Pouted and gave a frown:
Said 'Victor's as dull as a wet afternoon
But I've got to settle down.'
The third time he made his proposal,
As they walked by the Reservoir:
She gave him a kiss like a blow on the head,
Said; 'You are my heart's desire.'
They were married early in August,
She said; 'Kiss me, you funny boy';
Victor took her in his arms and said;
'O my Helen of Troy.'
It was the middle of September,
Victor came to the office one day;
He was wearing a flower in his buttonhole,
He was late but he was gay.
The clerks were talking of Anna,
The door was just ajar:
One said, 'Poor old Victor, but where ignorance
Is bliss, et cetera.'
Victor stood still as a statue,
The door was just ajar:
One said, 'God, what fun I had with her
In that Baby Austin car.'
Victor walked out into the High Street,
He walked to the edge of town:
He came to the allotments and the rubbish heap
And his tears came tumbling down.
Victor looked up at the sunset
As he stood there all alone;
Cried; 'Are you in Heaven, Father?'
But the sky said 'Address not known'.
Victor looked at the mountains,
The mountains all covered in snow
Cried; 'Are you pleased with me, Father?'
And the answer came back, No.
Victor came to the forest,
Cried: 'Father, will she ever be true?'
And the oaks and the beeches shook their heads
And they answered: 'Not to you.'
Victor came to the meadow
Where the wind went sweeping by:
Cried; 'O Father, I love her so',
But the wind said, 'She must die'.
Victor came to the river
Running so deep and so still:
Crying; 'O Father, what shall I do?'
And the river answered, 'Kill'.
Anna was sitting at table,
Drawing cards from a pack;
Anna was sitting at table
Waiting for her husband to come back.
It wasn't the Jack of Diamonds
Nor the Joker she drew first;
It wasn't the King or the Queen of Hearts
But the Ace of Spades reversed.
Victor stood in the doorway,
He didn't utter a word:
She said; 'What's the matter, darling?'
He behaved as if he hadn't heard.
There was a voice in his left ear,
There was a voice in his right,
There was a voice at the base of his skull
Saying, 'She must die tonight.'
Victor picked up a carving-knife,
His features were set and drawn,
Said; 'Anna it would have been better for you
If you had not been born.'
Anna jumped up from the table,
Anna started to scream,
But Victor came slowly after her
Like a horror in a dream.
She dodged behind the sofa,
She tore down a curtain rod,
But Victor came slowly after her:
Said; 'Prepare to meet thy God.'
She managed to wrench the door open,
She ran and she didn't stop.
But Victor followed her up the stairs
And he caught her at the top.
He stood there above the body,
He stood there holding the knife;
And the blood ran down the stairs and sang,'
I'm the Resurrection and the Life'.
They tapped Victor on the shoulder,
They took him away in a van;
He sat as quiet as a lump of moss
Saying, 'I am the Son of Man'.
Victor sat in a corner
Making a woman of clay:
Saying; 'I am Alpha and Omega, I shall come
To judge the earth some day.'
"The Crucible" - Act 2 - key moments
A Dangerous Change in Mary Warren
Mary Warren is starting to lose her shyness as she begins to feel that she is important to the court. She has caught the communal hysteria and is embroidering fact with fantasy when she talks of Sarah Good. For the first time in her life Mary finds that adults will listen to her and treat her with respect. This goes to her head.
Behind her new-found bravery Mary is still terrified of Abigail and lacks the strength to stand up to her.
The Existence of Witchcraft is Questioned
Elizabeth is anxious about her own safety, as she is suspected of practising witchcraft. She forces John to tell Hale, "I knw the children's sickness has naught to do with witchcraft" but that they were "startled" at being caught dancing in the woods. Hale's onw beliefs are shaken by what Proctor tells him about the girls. He is forced to face up to the fact that he has been taken in by them.
Proctor agrees to make this statement in court. Hale then asks the Proctors whether they believe in witches. John says that he will not contradict the Bible, but Elizabeth insists otherwise: "If you think that I am one, then I say there are none". Hale tells them to baptise their third child, go to church each Sunday and to appear solemn in their manner. THis reminds us of the strict religious code of the time. It is now clear that Hale himself believes in witches, but he is uncertain as to the nature o the recent accusation.
The Poppet
The true events surrounding the poppet are:
* Mary Warren was sewing a poppet in court to pass the time as she was bored.
* she stuck the needle in the poppet to keep it safe.
* Abigail saw Mary do this.
* During dinner at Parris's house, Abigail fell to the floor screaming and a needle was found stuck two inches into the flesh of her belly.
* when the poppet is examined by Cheever it is found to have a needle stuck in it.
It is clear to the reader that Abigail has watched Mary stick the needle in the poppet and has later stabbed herself with a needle knowing thta by this time the poppet will be in Elizabeth Proctor's house. She wants to revenge herself upon Elizabeth.
Confusion
At this point in the play there is a great deal of confusion. the only characters who realise what is actually happeneing are the Proctors and Abigail. This is highly ironic as Abigail is now thinking of a way to hurt Elizabeth. The other characters are involved in different ways and for different reasons but confusion reigns:
* Hale is confused at the Proctors' seemingly good nature and still believes the girls are telling the truth.
* the Putnams are exploiting the confusion in order to settle old scores.
* the judges firmly believe in the testimony of the girls and have allowed themselves to be tricked.
* the townspeople are divided between wanting to stop the arrests and fearing the power of the court and the church.
* Mary Warren is so confused as to believe she is actually doing good work in the court.
Mary Warren is starting to lose her shyness as she begins to feel that she is important to the court. She has caught the communal hysteria and is embroidering fact with fantasy when she talks of Sarah Good. For the first time in her life Mary finds that adults will listen to her and treat her with respect. This goes to her head.
Behind her new-found bravery Mary is still terrified of Abigail and lacks the strength to stand up to her.
The Existence of Witchcraft is Questioned
Elizabeth is anxious about her own safety, as she is suspected of practising witchcraft. She forces John to tell Hale, "I knw the children's sickness has naught to do with witchcraft" but that they were "startled" at being caught dancing in the woods. Hale's onw beliefs are shaken by what Proctor tells him about the girls. He is forced to face up to the fact that he has been taken in by them.
Proctor agrees to make this statement in court. Hale then asks the Proctors whether they believe in witches. John says that he will not contradict the Bible, but Elizabeth insists otherwise: "If you think that I am one, then I say there are none". Hale tells them to baptise their third child, go to church each Sunday and to appear solemn in their manner. THis reminds us of the strict religious code of the time. It is now clear that Hale himself believes in witches, but he is uncertain as to the nature o the recent accusation.
The Poppet
The true events surrounding the poppet are:
* Mary Warren was sewing a poppet in court to pass the time as she was bored.
* she stuck the needle in the poppet to keep it safe.
* Abigail saw Mary do this.
* During dinner at Parris's house, Abigail fell to the floor screaming and a needle was found stuck two inches into the flesh of her belly.
* when the poppet is examined by Cheever it is found to have a needle stuck in it.
It is clear to the reader that Abigail has watched Mary stick the needle in the poppet and has later stabbed herself with a needle knowing thta by this time the poppet will be in Elizabeth Proctor's house. She wants to revenge herself upon Elizabeth.
Confusion
At this point in the play there is a great deal of confusion. the only characters who realise what is actually happeneing are the Proctors and Abigail. This is highly ironic as Abigail is now thinking of a way to hurt Elizabeth. The other characters are involved in different ways and for different reasons but confusion reigns:
* Hale is confused at the Proctors' seemingly good nature and still believes the girls are telling the truth.
* the Putnams are exploiting the confusion in order to settle old scores.
* the judges firmly believe in the testimony of the girls and have allowed themselves to be tricked.
* the townspeople are divided between wanting to stop the arrests and fearing the power of the court and the church.
* Mary Warren is so confused as to believe she is actually doing good work in the court.
Peer Pressure - Lucy, Jonathan and Kirsten
Peer pressure is at it's peak when the girls repeat Abigail in Act 3 when she is accussing Mary Warren. Even though the girls know that Abigail is doing wrong, they feel as if they have to support her decisions in order to stay in her good books, (Act 3 - pg 93.)Abigail is a very intimidating person and this is shown throughout the novel. She likes to be in charge and is usually known as a "leader"."Mary Warren : [pleading] Abby, you musn't!Abigail and all the girls: [transfixed] Abby, you musn't!Mary Warren: [to all the girls] I'm here, I'm here!Girls: I'm here, I'm here!"- This shows peer pressure as the girls feel as if they have to mimic her.Peer pressure is also shown between Hale and Proctor:"Hale: How comes it that only two are baptised?Proctor: [starts to speak, then stops, then, as though unable to restrain this] I like it not that Mr. Parris should lay his upon my baby. I see no light of God in that man. I'll not conceal it. (Act 2 - pg 54.)- This shows that Proctor is very nervous whilst answering Hale's question, showing that he feels very nervous and intimidated by him, showing peer pressure.
"The Crucible" - Key Moments - Act 1 Cont.
The Interrogation
Tituba is brought in and Abigail accuses her of making her do it. She says that Tituba makes her drink blood, and the slave admits to giving the girls chicken blood. Abigail blames her wicked dreams on Tituba, and Hale tells the slave to wake Betty. Putnam threatens to have Tituba hanged and, as a result, Tituba is terrifed and clearly willing to say whatever she thinks the men want to hear. In fact, most of what Tituba says is at the prompting of Parris, Putnam, and Hale. This grows more pronounced as the interrogation goes on and she simply repeats the last thing that is said to her. tituba mixes her feelings for Parris and her desire to return to Barbados with her statements about the Devil. She is clearly very confused, but the men are too excited to notice.
Hale asks Tituba if the Devil came alone or with someone whom she recognised. putnam asks is he came with Sarah Good or Osborn. Parris presses her as to whether it was a man or a woman who came and Tituba says that they were all witches out of Salem. Hale tells TItuba that she has confessed and so can be forgiven. She says that four people came with the Devil and that the Devil tried to get her to kill Parris. Tituba names one of the people as Goody Osborn. Mrs. Putnam seizes upon this information as Osborn was her midwife three times.
Mass Hysteria
Abigail uses the confession of Tituba to divert attention from her own actions. She is soon caught up in the hysteria of the moment, albeit pretence on her part. At this point, Abigail realises the effect that strong emotions can hae on a group of weak-minded people. It is here that she witnesses the unusal behaviour of several people who are carried along on a tide of hysteria and it is clear that her actions in Act 3 reflect this new knowledge.
Tituba is brought in and Abigail accuses her of making her do it. She says that Tituba makes her drink blood, and the slave admits to giving the girls chicken blood. Abigail blames her wicked dreams on Tituba, and Hale tells the slave to wake Betty. Putnam threatens to have Tituba hanged and, as a result, Tituba is terrifed and clearly willing to say whatever she thinks the men want to hear. In fact, most of what Tituba says is at the prompting of Parris, Putnam, and Hale. This grows more pronounced as the interrogation goes on and she simply repeats the last thing that is said to her. tituba mixes her feelings for Parris and her desire to return to Barbados with her statements about the Devil. She is clearly very confused, but the men are too excited to notice.
Hale asks Tituba if the Devil came alone or with someone whom she recognised. putnam asks is he came with Sarah Good or Osborn. Parris presses her as to whether it was a man or a woman who came and Tituba says that they were all witches out of Salem. Hale tells TItuba that she has confessed and so can be forgiven. She says that four people came with the Devil and that the Devil tried to get her to kill Parris. Tituba names one of the people as Goody Osborn. Mrs. Putnam seizes upon this information as Osborn was her midwife three times.
Mass Hysteria
Abigail uses the confession of Tituba to divert attention from her own actions. She is soon caught up in the hysteria of the moment, albeit pretence on her part. At this point, Abigail realises the effect that strong emotions can hae on a group of weak-minded people. It is here that she witnesses the unusal behaviour of several people who are carried along on a tide of hysteria and it is clear that her actions in Act 3 reflect this new knowledge.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Religion
Religion
Throughout the play religion plays a very important part. The town is strictly religious and are all devout Christians. The act of witchcraft is against this religion and is a hangable offence in towns like this.
Setting
The play is set in a Puritan village and Act 1 is set in Reverend Parris’s house. It is rather ironic that witchcraft be discovered in these locations as puritans live their lives exactly how they believe God wants them to and all they read is the bible. They lived their lives in strict fear of God and any unholy deed would be punished. Everyone in these communities believes in the bible and God so completely. The girls are believed to be the voices of God so arguing against them in these puritan communities would be practically impossible to succeed in. ‘The devil can never overcome a minister’ The irony in this quote is that the first signs of witchcraft are discovered under the minister’s own roof.
Characters
John Proctor – Throughout the play John becomes more and more religious. At the start he is rarely in church, he plow’s on a Sunday and when questioned by Hale he cannot recite all Ten Commandments. At the end of Act 2 however he is preaching to Mary ‘Now Hell and Heaven grapple on our backs and all our old pretence is ripped away’ and in the court scene he tells her to ‘Remember what the angel Raphael said to the boy Tobias’. Near the end of the play when John is being asked to confess to the crimes of witchcraft he struggles with his conscience, believing that a confession will damn him but that he has already lost his ‘goodness’. ‘Let Rebecca go like a saint, for me it is fraud’. At the end of the play John Proctor redeems himself and tears up his false confession even though it means he will hang for it. ‘He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him’.
Reverend Parris – Parris is supposedly the religious leader of the community however as we see from the play he is a greedy corrupted character.’ For twenty week he preach nothing but golden candlesticks until he have them’ At the start of the play we see him praying over his sick daughter and it make us wonder if it Betty he is praying for or whether he is praying for his reputation to remain unharmed.
Reverend Hale – Reverend Hale is called from Beverly by Parris to help in the witch-hunt, as he is already known to have caught a witch in his hometown. He always wanted pure intentions and he follows his conscience when he believes there are witches in Salem. He quits the court when he begins to doubt the legitimacy of the proceedings and he spends time with the prisoners willing them to confess and save their lives. In contrast to Parris Hale appears a genuine man of God more concerned for others than for himself.
Symbolism
Religion is symbolized by both light and talk of the devil.
Light
‘Through it’s leaded panes the morning sunlight streams through’
This is like the light of God or heaven is shingling down of them. This is ironic, as soon a great darkness will fall over Salem.
‘The place is in darkness but for moonlight seeping through the doors’
Even though he is alone and near dead the light of God is still with him
Devil
‘ There is either obedience or he church will burn like hell is burning’
Said by the Reverend Parris whose preferred method of preaching we discover is by scaring people into having an opinion.
by Callum, Kirsty and Danielle
Throughout the play religion plays a very important part. The town is strictly religious and are all devout Christians. The act of witchcraft is against this religion and is a hangable offence in towns like this.
Setting
The play is set in a Puritan village and Act 1 is set in Reverend Parris’s house. It is rather ironic that witchcraft be discovered in these locations as puritans live their lives exactly how they believe God wants them to and all they read is the bible. They lived their lives in strict fear of God and any unholy deed would be punished. Everyone in these communities believes in the bible and God so completely. The girls are believed to be the voices of God so arguing against them in these puritan communities would be practically impossible to succeed in. ‘The devil can never overcome a minister’ The irony in this quote is that the first signs of witchcraft are discovered under the minister’s own roof.
Characters
John Proctor – Throughout the play John becomes more and more religious. At the start he is rarely in church, he plow’s on a Sunday and when questioned by Hale he cannot recite all Ten Commandments. At the end of Act 2 however he is preaching to Mary ‘Now Hell and Heaven grapple on our backs and all our old pretence is ripped away’ and in the court scene he tells her to ‘Remember what the angel Raphael said to the boy Tobias’. Near the end of the play when John is being asked to confess to the crimes of witchcraft he struggles with his conscience, believing that a confession will damn him but that he has already lost his ‘goodness’. ‘Let Rebecca go like a saint, for me it is fraud’. At the end of the play John Proctor redeems himself and tears up his false confession even though it means he will hang for it. ‘He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him’.
Reverend Parris – Parris is supposedly the religious leader of the community however as we see from the play he is a greedy corrupted character.’ For twenty week he preach nothing but golden candlesticks until he have them’ At the start of the play we see him praying over his sick daughter and it make us wonder if it Betty he is praying for or whether he is praying for his reputation to remain unharmed.
Reverend Hale – Reverend Hale is called from Beverly by Parris to help in the witch-hunt, as he is already known to have caught a witch in his hometown. He always wanted pure intentions and he follows his conscience when he believes there are witches in Salem. He quits the court when he begins to doubt the legitimacy of the proceedings and he spends time with the prisoners willing them to confess and save their lives. In contrast to Parris Hale appears a genuine man of God more concerned for others than for himself.
Symbolism
Religion is symbolized by both light and talk of the devil.
Light
‘Through it’s leaded panes the morning sunlight streams through’
This is like the light of God or heaven is shingling down of them. This is ironic, as soon a great darkness will fall over Salem.
‘The place is in darkness but for moonlight seeping through the doors’
Even though he is alone and near dead the light of God is still with him
Devil
‘ There is either obedience or he church will burn like hell is burning’
Said by the Reverend Parris whose preferred method of preaching we discover is by scaring people into having an opinion.
by Callum, Kirsty and Danielle
''The Crucible'' - Corruption (Nicole,Scott,Carley)
Corruption - ‘‘Dishonesty and illegal behaviour by people in positions of power’’
Characterisation
Abigail and the girls manage to put themselves in position of power.
(powers of manipulation)
They were like sheep, one said something ant the others followed/agreed.
They were bullied by Abigail (the leader) as she was very strong and had a major influence on them.
Elizabeth and John Proctor are in a similar situation after John confesses to lechery. Elizabeth lies to protect John which cost him his innocence, reputation and life - there was a lot at stake when she gave her answer to the judge.
Abigail denies that she and the other girls conjured spirits but reacts by pretending to be under the influence of witchcraft and pretends there is a yellow bird. She and the other girls mock Mary warren so that it looks as though Mary is lying. Eventually Mary agrees with them as she cannot cope with the pressure she is put under by John Proctor and the other people in the community.
Key Scenes
Abigail: ‘‘Now look you. All of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters. And that is all. And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, about the other things, and I’ll come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you. And you know I can do it.’’
Throughout the novel, Abigail accuses various other innocent people and tries to maintain her ‘innocence’ by denying everything
‘’ she and all the girls run to one wall. Shielding their eyes. And now, as though cornered, they let out a gigantic scream, and Mary, as though infected opens her mouth and screams with them. Gradually ABIGAIL and the GIRLS leave off, until only MARY is left there, staring up at the ‘bird’ screaming madly. All watch her, horrified by this evident fit. ‘’
This shows how Abigail mimic what Mary Warren says and all the other girls follow her as Abigail influences them drastically to make out Mary
Warrens is lying
Quotations & Stage Directions
‘‘But it is a whore’s vengeance, and you must see it’’
Proctor is trying to show that it was Abigail twisting and manipulating the situation
MERCY (moving menacingly towards Mary) Act 1 ABIGAIL (smashes her across the face) ‘‘I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down.’’
Abigail threatens all the girls to stay on her side
‘‘I never called him! Tituba, Tituba…’’
‘‘I didn’t see no Devil! Betty, wake up, Betty! Betty!’’
‘‘I saw Goody Hawkins with the Devil!’’
‘‘I saw Goody Ruth with the Devil!’’
‘‘I saw goody Sibber with the Devil!’’
These quotes show how manipulative Abigail is and how all the other girls are easily bullied by Abigail. She puts the blame on anyone else, not worrying about the consequences.
(trembling, his life collapsing about him): ‘‘I have known her, sir. I have known her.’’
This quotes shows John confessing to lechery
‘‘Abigail leads the girls to the woods, your honour, and they have danced there naked’’
‘‘Mary tell the governor how you danced in the woods’’
These quote show that they committed a crime by dancing in the woods and are accused of witchcraft
‘‘ABIGAIL rises, staring as though inspired and cries out.’’
As she is speaking, BETTY is rising from the bed, a fever in her eyes, and picks up the chant.’’
Characterisation
Abigail and the girls manage to put themselves in position of power.
(powers of manipulation)
They were like sheep, one said something ant the others followed/agreed.
They were bullied by Abigail (the leader) as she was very strong and had a major influence on them.
Elizabeth and John Proctor are in a similar situation after John confesses to lechery. Elizabeth lies to protect John which cost him his innocence, reputation and life - there was a lot at stake when she gave her answer to the judge.
Abigail denies that she and the other girls conjured spirits but reacts by pretending to be under the influence of witchcraft and pretends there is a yellow bird. She and the other girls mock Mary warren so that it looks as though Mary is lying. Eventually Mary agrees with them as she cannot cope with the pressure she is put under by John Proctor and the other people in the community.
Key Scenes
Abigail: ‘‘Now look you. All of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters. And that is all. And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, about the other things, and I’ll come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you. And you know I can do it.’’
Throughout the novel, Abigail accuses various other innocent people and tries to maintain her ‘innocence’ by denying everything
‘’ she and all the girls run to one wall. Shielding their eyes. And now, as though cornered, they let out a gigantic scream, and Mary, as though infected opens her mouth and screams with them. Gradually ABIGAIL and the GIRLS leave off, until only MARY is left there, staring up at the ‘bird’ screaming madly. All watch her, horrified by this evident fit. ‘’
This shows how Abigail mimic what Mary Warren says and all the other girls follow her as Abigail influences them drastically to make out Mary
Warrens is lying
Quotations & Stage Directions
‘‘But it is a whore’s vengeance, and you must see it’’
Proctor is trying to show that it was Abigail twisting and manipulating the situation
MERCY (moving menacingly towards Mary) Act 1 ABIGAIL (smashes her across the face) ‘‘I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down.’’
Abigail threatens all the girls to stay on her side
‘‘I never called him! Tituba, Tituba…’’
‘‘I didn’t see no Devil! Betty, wake up, Betty! Betty!’’
‘‘I saw Goody Hawkins with the Devil!’’
‘‘I saw Goody Ruth with the Devil!’’
‘‘I saw goody Sibber with the Devil!’’
These quotes show how manipulative Abigail is and how all the other girls are easily bullied by Abigail. She puts the blame on anyone else, not worrying about the consequences.
(trembling, his life collapsing about him): ‘‘I have known her, sir. I have known her.’’
This quotes shows John confessing to lechery
‘‘Abigail leads the girls to the woods, your honour, and they have danced there naked’’
‘‘Mary tell the governor how you danced in the woods’’
These quote show that they committed a crime by dancing in the woods and are accused of witchcraft
‘‘ABIGAIL rises, staring as though inspired and cries out.’’
As she is speaking, BETTY is rising from the bed, a fever in her eyes, and picks up the chant.’’
Conflict =]
Conflict, a dictionary definition:
- Conflict is disagreement and argument.
- When there is a conflict of ideas or interests, people have different ideas or interests which cannot all be satisfied.
In Act one there are conflicts between Abigail and Elizabeth. Abigail wants Elizabeth dead because she is in love with her husband, John Proctor. Abigail wuick defences become an attack as she is quick to blame other people and bring other people into the frame, such as Goody Proctor (Elizabeth). Abigail begins to accuse her of witchcraft and describes her as a bitter women, ''My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled! Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!''
Abigail is also annoyed with Elizabeth as she fired her from her job as their servant, because of Abigail's affair with John. Abigail accused Elizabeth as being a witch so as she will be hanged.
Also in Act one conflicts between Parris and Proctor. Proctor cannot stan Parris as he disagrees with the way he runs the church and the community. Proctor believes that Parris is not doing his job as a minister properly. ''I regard that six pound as part of my salary, I am paid little enough without I spend six pound on firewood,'' (Parris), ''Sixty plus six for firewood,'' (Proctor), ''The salary is sixty-six pound, Mr Proctor! I am not some preaching farmer with a book under my arm; I am a graduate of Harvard college,'' (Parris). As a minister Parris's main interests shouldn't lie in the matter of money it should be for the safety of his community, which at this point could have been in trouble.
Throughout the play Abigial victimises the other young girls of the community. She manipulates them into agreeing with her so as she won't be hanged. The young girls follow her and don't care of the consequences. ''Now look you, all of you, we danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam's dead sisters. And that is all. And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of the night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.'' (page 14).
In Act one Mrs Putnam believes that is was Rebecca Nurse who killed her children who died in infancy, except from one. She believes that this was an Act of witchcraft which later leads to Rebecca's death, as she was hanged.
By the end, conflict begins to take over the play. Citizens in Salem accuse anyone and everyone of witchcraft, not because od any witchcraft performed, but because of personal reasons. Most of them do not realise that the only person who performed any witchcraft-related act in their midst is Abigail Williams, the person who made the accusations.
By: Rebecca, Danielle and Evelyn.
"The Crucible" - Integrity :]
Integrity: “The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change”
Integrity can be seen in “The Crucible” with a few characters, such as Elizabeth Proctor and Rebecca Nurse, but most of all in John Proctor.
When Proctor realises that he must stop Abigail and her intentions, he understands that to do this he must admit to his adultery. His pride and fear of what people may think stopped him from admitting it previously, but towards the end of the play he is far more concerned about his values, and integrity than his reputation and what people will think of him.
Integrity can be seen in “The Crucible” with a few characters, such as Elizabeth Proctor and Rebecca Nurse, but most of all in John Proctor.
When Proctor realises that he must stop Abigail and her intentions, he understands that to do this he must admit to his adultery. His pride and fear of what people may think stopped him from admitting it previously, but towards the end of the play he is far more concerned about his values, and integrity than his reputation and what people will think of him.
He also must do this to save his wife from hanging. He doesn’t want people to think badly of him, yet puts his integrity before the opinion of the village. After being accused of witchcraft, Proctor goes on to keep his word, he refuses to give a false confession, and stands up for his beliefs and doesn’t lie. He believes that to give a false confession would be dishonouring himself and his principles as well as others around him. And so originally he is prepared to die rather than lie to the court, and give up his soul. He believes that this is the right thing to do, and that God would rather him do this than lie and confess to a crime he has not committed.
Proctor comes very close to confessing witchcraft, and even signs the confession, but then takes it back wanting to save his name at least. This leads him to rethink, and he sacrifices himself for his own integrity.
“Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”
When Proctor says this “with a cry of his whole soul,” he is standing up to everything he believes in, and trying to save all that he has left. He feels that he has given everything he has, and to live now, without his soul or his name, would be pointless and worse than being hanged for it. If he was to live now after confessing, he would be living one big lie, and his reputation as well as his soul would be in ruins.
“He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!”
Elizabeth accepts that this is what Proctor wants to do, and so does not try to influence him into confessing. We see how much they truly love each other, as she lets him do what he believes to be right, and recognises that this makes him a better person in his eyes. And doesn’t feel she has the right to take this from him as it’s his decision.
Elizabeth also shows personal integrity. She remains truthful throughout, and seems a genuine and honest woman.
“In her life, sir, she have never lied. There are them that cannot sing, and them that cannot weep – my wife cannot lie.”
Having Proctor say this, Elizabeth then does in fact lie to Danforth and the court, denying that Proctor was lecher, however this can almost be overlooked, as it only shows how great her love is for John. Even when John’s life is in danger, she still doesn’t falter to tell him to do what he wants, and has no say in the matter, only that she wants him to live.
“As you will John I would have it. I want you living, John. That’s sure.”
Rebecca Nurse is also a good example of integrity, as she never once falters, or considers confessing to witchcraft. She keeps her values throughout, and almost expects all the others to do the same.
“Why, it is a lie, it is a lie; how may I damn myself? I cannot, I cannot.”
Rebecca feels that to be confessing to a crime that she did not commit would be “damning” herself, and she would not allow herself to lie to anyone.
When she hears that Proctor is to confess she says
“Oh, John – God send his mercy on you!”
She finds it hard to believe that he is lowering himself to these lies, simply to save himself.
...
:] Ali, Becca, Chris
Graham My Good Man! I've started it!
A crucible is a container in which metals and other materials are heated so as to seperate the pure metals from waste and impurities. The crucible in the title is a metaphor for the town of Salem and the period of the witch-hunt hysteria. In this "fire", some victims survive the temptations and fears and emerge as better and stronger people.
[enter your stuff here]
[enter your stuff here]
Purification
Purification - Polly, Michael, Mikey and Graham
Purification - "to free someone of guilt or moral impurity or imperfection"
- "to free something from undesirable elements"
A crucible is a container in which metals and other materials are heated so as to seperate the pure metals from waste and impurities. The crucible in the title is a metaphor for the town of Salem and the period of the witch-hunt hysteria. In this "fire", some victims survive the temptations and fears and emerge as better and stronger people.
The town of Salem is being purified of witchcraft but eventually the town is purified when Abigail Williams leaves the town
Some of the main characters in The Crucible reflect the theme of Purification:
Abigail Williams
When Abigail flees the town of Salem, the town itself is purified of the manipulative girl who's influence and power over the community caused the chaos and also the deaths of so many innocent people.
She, the only real "witch" in Salem, pollutes the town with her poisonous allegations. When she flees, the witch trials cease and the town in therefore freed.
Reverend Hale
Hale always wants to have pure intentions. At the start he wants to rid the town of witchcraft. "No, no. Now let me instruct you. We cannot look to superstition in this." (P31) We see he feels really powerful when he first comes into the town as he thinks he will save them.
We then see he is fighting with his conscience as he appears much less powerful. "He is different now - drawn a little, and there is a quality of deference, even of guilt, about his manner now." This is in the stage directions after he has been to court. He sees that the town is out of control and maybe here sees it is the girls causing the hysteria. He knows he has started it all and feels guilty - It was him who suggested the yellow bird, which Abigail used against Mary Warren later.
When John Proctor is accused by Mary Warren, Hale desperately tries to fix the situation. "Excellency, thois child's gone wild!" (P95) which shows his complete doubt of the court. It causes him to storm out. "I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court. (He slams the door to the outside behind him)" (P96) So he is purified as he is no longer part of the chaos that is the witch hunt.
Elizabeth Proctor
Elizabeth, and her relationship with John, are purified at the end of the play, when, just before his death, Elizabeth forgives John for his affair with Abigail. "John, it come to naught that I should forgive you, if you'll not forgive yourself. It is not my soul, John, it is yours. Only be sure of this, for I know it now: whatever you will do, it is a good man does it. I have read my heart this three months John. I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery." (P109) This is her telling John that he is forgiven, and she has realised that he is a good man. This quote shows that she has been thinking about their situation for a long time and now she has said what she wants to say, she is purified.
John Proctor
Throughout the play John Proctor is riddled with guilt for breaking the commandment "Thou Shalt Not commit Adultery". John committed adultery with his ex-servant girl Abigail Williams behind his wife's, Elizabeth, back. Even when Abigail tries to get back with John, he is strong enough to resist temptation and stay true to his wife. He is set free of this guilt when his wife Elizabeth is arrested and he then becomes the reluctant hero in striving to expose the fraud of witchcraft.
Purification - "to free someone of guilt or moral impurity or imperfection"
- "to free something from undesirable elements"
A crucible is a container in which metals and other materials are heated so as to seperate the pure metals from waste and impurities. The crucible in the title is a metaphor for the town of Salem and the period of the witch-hunt hysteria. In this "fire", some victims survive the temptations and fears and emerge as better and stronger people.
The town of Salem is being purified of witchcraft but eventually the town is purified when Abigail Williams leaves the town
Some of the main characters in The Crucible reflect the theme of Purification:
Abigail Williams
When Abigail flees the town of Salem, the town itself is purified of the manipulative girl who's influence and power over the community caused the chaos and also the deaths of so many innocent people.
She, the only real "witch" in Salem, pollutes the town with her poisonous allegations. When she flees, the witch trials cease and the town in therefore freed.
Reverend Hale
Hale always wants to have pure intentions. At the start he wants to rid the town of witchcraft. "No, no. Now let me instruct you. We cannot look to superstition in this." (P31) We see he feels really powerful when he first comes into the town as he thinks he will save them.
We then see he is fighting with his conscience as he appears much less powerful. "He is different now - drawn a little, and there is a quality of deference, even of guilt, about his manner now." This is in the stage directions after he has been to court. He sees that the town is out of control and maybe here sees it is the girls causing the hysteria. He knows he has started it all and feels guilty - It was him who suggested the yellow bird, which Abigail used against Mary Warren later.
When John Proctor is accused by Mary Warren, Hale desperately tries to fix the situation. "Excellency, thois child's gone wild!" (P95) which shows his complete doubt of the court. It causes him to storm out. "I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court. (He slams the door to the outside behind him)" (P96) So he is purified as he is no longer part of the chaos that is the witch hunt.
Elizabeth Proctor
Elizabeth, and her relationship with John, are purified at the end of the play, when, just before his death, Elizabeth forgives John for his affair with Abigail. "John, it come to naught that I should forgive you, if you'll not forgive yourself. It is not my soul, John, it is yours. Only be sure of this, for I know it now: whatever you will do, it is a good man does it. I have read my heart this three months John. I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery." (P109) This is her telling John that he is forgiven, and she has realised that he is a good man. This quote shows that she has been thinking about their situation for a long time and now she has said what she wants to say, she is purified.
John Proctor
Throughout the play John Proctor is riddled with guilt for breaking the commandment "Thou Shalt Not commit Adultery". John committed adultery with his ex-servant girl Abigail Williams behind his wife's, Elizabeth, back. Even when Abigail tries to get back with John, he is strong enough to resist temptation and stay true to his wife. He is set free of this guilt when his wife Elizabeth is arrested and he then becomes the reluctant hero in striving to expose the fraud of witchcraft.
"The Crucible" - Key Moments - Act 1
Reasons for the Witch-hunt
Salem was goverened through a combination of atate and religious power, "a theocracy", in the hope of keeping evil at bay. As the times became less dangerous, the nedd for such strict rules lessened and people began to express an interest in "greater individual freedom". The witch-hunt came about as people began to explore this freedom.
The witch-hunt also gave people "a long overdue opportunity" to revenge themselves upon old enemies and to settle old scores to do with land ownership. Some people used it as a way to free their consciencs from sins they had committed, by blaming things upon innocent victims.
The Putnams
The Putnams resent Parris and are deeply vengeful people. Thomas Putnam had opposed the appointment of the previous minister as he wanted his own brother-in-law to have the position. This resentment is carried over to Parris.
When Mrs. Putnam enters, she is pleased that misfortune has befallen Parris. She has heard that Betty flew over Ingersoll's barn. Before Parris can refute this, THomas Putnam enters. He ignores the minister and goes straight to the bed to look at Betty. He compares her with his own daughter who has been taken ill. Mrs. Putnam saya thta the girsl are not merely sick, but that "it's death drivin' into them, forked and hoofed". it is really Mrs. Putnam's actions that lead to the suggestion of witchcraft. She does not see that her daughter was simply becoming an adolescent, but prefers to blame her change of behaviour on Ruth having been bewitched. Note for continuous alternation between rational and hysterical remarks.
The Putnams are delighted that Parris is in trouble. They might be able to replace him as minister and blame their own misfortunes on witchcraft at the same time. The Putnams deviously manipulate the situation for their own ends.
The Girls' True Natures
Abigail and Mercy are genuinly puzzled and concerned by Ruth's condition. they have not yet grasped the seriousness of the situation. Remember that they are still quite young and have not yet become part of adult society.
Abigail clearly frightens the other girls and they are prepared to do whatever she tells them. Abigail is obviously the ringleader and shows that she is able to keep her head in difficult situations.
The End of the Affair
Abigail's continued attraction to Proctor is one of the key driving forces behind events. they ahve an affair and still feel a strong physical attraction for one another, as abigail declare: "you know me then and you do know!". Proctor, however, has made up his mind that the affair with abigail is over and he shows strength of character in refusing her. Abigail naturally feels abandoned by Proctor. It is now that bitterness sets in, and she begins to seek vengeance.
Feuding Families
Miller tells us about the history of the Nurses and the Putnams:
* the Nurses had been involved in long-running disputes over land with a member of the Putnam family.
* it was the Nurse family who had prevented Putnam's brother-in-law from becomign minister.
* the Nurses had established their own township outside Salem and this was deeply resented by Putnam.
* the first complaint against Rebecca Nurse was signed by Edward and Jonathan Putnam and it was Ruth Putnam who pointed out Rebecca, in the courtroom, as her attacker.
Salem was goverened through a combination of atate and religious power, "a theocracy", in the hope of keeping evil at bay. As the times became less dangerous, the nedd for such strict rules lessened and people began to express an interest in "greater individual freedom". The witch-hunt came about as people began to explore this freedom.
The witch-hunt also gave people "a long overdue opportunity" to revenge themselves upon old enemies and to settle old scores to do with land ownership. Some people used it as a way to free their consciencs from sins they had committed, by blaming things upon innocent victims.
The Putnams
The Putnams resent Parris and are deeply vengeful people. Thomas Putnam had opposed the appointment of the previous minister as he wanted his own brother-in-law to have the position. This resentment is carried over to Parris.
When Mrs. Putnam enters, she is pleased that misfortune has befallen Parris. She has heard that Betty flew over Ingersoll's barn. Before Parris can refute this, THomas Putnam enters. He ignores the minister and goes straight to the bed to look at Betty. He compares her with his own daughter who has been taken ill. Mrs. Putnam saya thta the girsl are not merely sick, but that "it's death drivin' into them, forked and hoofed". it is really Mrs. Putnam's actions that lead to the suggestion of witchcraft. She does not see that her daughter was simply becoming an adolescent, but prefers to blame her change of behaviour on Ruth having been bewitched. Note for continuous alternation between rational and hysterical remarks.
The Putnams are delighted that Parris is in trouble. They might be able to replace him as minister and blame their own misfortunes on witchcraft at the same time. The Putnams deviously manipulate the situation for their own ends.
The Girls' True Natures
Abigail and Mercy are genuinly puzzled and concerned by Ruth's condition. they have not yet grasped the seriousness of the situation. Remember that they are still quite young and have not yet become part of adult society.
Abigail clearly frightens the other girls and they are prepared to do whatever she tells them. Abigail is obviously the ringleader and shows that she is able to keep her head in difficult situations.
The End of the Affair
Abigail's continued attraction to Proctor is one of the key driving forces behind events. they ahve an affair and still feel a strong physical attraction for one another, as abigail declare: "you know me then and you do know!". Proctor, however, has made up his mind that the affair with abigail is over and he shows strength of character in refusing her. Abigail naturally feels abandoned by Proctor. It is now that bitterness sets in, and she begins to seek vengeance.
Feuding Families
Miller tells us about the history of the Nurses and the Putnams:
* the Nurses had been involved in long-running disputes over land with a member of the Putnam family.
* it was the Nurse family who had prevented Putnam's brother-in-law from becomign minister.
* the Nurses had established their own township outside Salem and this was deeply resented by Putnam.
* the first complaint against Rebecca Nurse was signed by Edward and Jonathan Putnam and it was Ruth Putnam who pointed out Rebecca, in the courtroom, as her attacker.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
"The Crucible" - language
The language spoken by the characters in the play is intended to give us the feeling of a society which is different from ours in time and manners. When he was researching the play, Miller was intrigued by the language of the court records and adapted some of the forms and usages for his own dialogue. He does not use the exact form of English that the people of Salem would have recognised as this might prove too difficult for a modern audience to understand. Instead, Miller gives us a flavour of the language spoken in seventeenth-century America.
The Influence of Latin
The English spoken at the time of the events in Salem was heavily influenced by Latin. Most educated people would have used Latin for written communication and many important texts were available only in Latin. In Latin, the verb usually comes at the end of a sentence, e.g. "Up the stairs she climbed". If you find that some of the word order in The Crucible is unusual it is because we have now moved away from this way of constructing sentences.
As Latin had been used by the church in order to keep the Bible from ordinary people, the Puritans of Salem rebelled against the language itself but still spoke in a was that reflected the English of their home counrty. Note that in Act 1, when Reverend Hale wants to drive out the Devil, he chants in Latin.
Miller uses double negatives and inverted sentence structures in his version of this language. John Proctor says, "I never said no such thing", Giles Corey tells Danforth "I will not give you no name". In Act IV, Danforth tells Elizabeth "We come not for your life" when the modern version would be "we do not come for your life".
In his autobiography Timebends, Miller said of the language:
I came to love its feel, like hard burnished wood. Without planning to, I even elaborated a few of the grammatical forms myself, the double negatives especially, which occured in the trial record much less frequently than they would in the play.
The Influence of Latin
The English spoken at the time of the events in Salem was heavily influenced by Latin. Most educated people would have used Latin for written communication and many important texts were available only in Latin. In Latin, the verb usually comes at the end of a sentence, e.g. "Up the stairs she climbed". If you find that some of the word order in The Crucible is unusual it is because we have now moved away from this way of constructing sentences.
As Latin had been used by the church in order to keep the Bible from ordinary people, the Puritans of Salem rebelled against the language itself but still spoke in a was that reflected the English of their home counrty. Note that in Act 1, when Reverend Hale wants to drive out the Devil, he chants in Latin.
Miller uses double negatives and inverted sentence structures in his version of this language. John Proctor says, "I never said no such thing", Giles Corey tells Danforth "I will not give you no name". In Act IV, Danforth tells Elizabeth "We come not for your life" when the modern version would be "we do not come for your life".
In his autobiography Timebends, Miller said of the language:
I came to love its feel, like hard burnished wood. Without planning to, I even elaborated a few of the grammatical forms myself, the double negatives especially, which occured in the trial record much less frequently than they would in the play.
Some words are used in a way that we would not use them now. Giles Corey complaining about his wife's reading habits, says, "It discomforst me!", using discomfort as a verb, whereas we would say "It makes me uncomfortable". John Proctor expresses amazement that Mr. Hale would "suspicion" his wife. Modern usage would be "suspect".
Christianity and the Bible
The rhythms and imagery of the language echo that of the King James's version of the Bible of 1611. The Puritans in England, forefathers of the Salem settlers, had requested a new transformation of the Bible as part of their pressures for reform of the Church. It took seven years to complete and had a definite influence on style. This Authorised Version, used by Protestants for 350 years, was loved for the beauty and clarity of its English and would have been familiar to the audiences of the 1950s and still is to many today. It was only replaced by modern versions around 1960.
The forenames of the characters and others mentioned are taken from the Bible, as was the parctice in Christian communities. some of them which are not so commonly used today, such as Ezekiel, Isaac and Susanna are from the Old Testament. Others, like John, Thomas, Martha and Elizabeth, can be found in the New Testament.
A good deal of the language found in The Crucible has its origins in religion. As the Puritans took the Bible literally they would have thought it perfectly normal to use sayings from it in everyday speech. Rev. Hale, when he describes his period of soul-searching before he tries to persuade John Proctor to save his life by confessing, says, "I have gone this three months like our Lord into the wilderness". He is comparing his experience to that of Jesus when, according to St Matthew, he was, "led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil" (Matthew, 4:1). In Act 2, speaking of Abigail, Elizabeth Proctor says, "Where she walkes the crowd will part like the sea for Isreal", which is a reference to the parting of the Red Sea in the book of Exodus when Moses led the Isrealites in their escape from Egypt. When Danforth is asked to delay the executions, he replies, "God have noot empowered me like Joshua to stop this sun from rising", which refers to Joshua, 10.
This is a powerful, dignified way of speaking which helps to create the impression of a different soiety, one which is rural and deeply religious. It is deliberate and simple language, which is appropriate to the period in which the play is set without being too difficult for the modern audience.
Within this form of language some characters are made to be more eloquent than others. It is important that Abigail in an impressive speaker, whereas Mary Warren has to be more timid. It is not that the girls actually spoke like this: it suits Miller's dramatic purpose to have the two girls speak differently from one another.
Language in Context
Arthur Miller uses the rhythms and patterns of speech that would have been heard in Salem at the time of the original trials. You need to remember this when writing about the play. the characters are not speaking old English or even funny English. It is simply that the English that we speak today has changed since the seventeenth century. If you need convincing of this, imagine how our speech might sound to people in four hundred years' time.
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