Paid Your Dues?
Jesus. The OUTside world. It’s a strange almost unpleasant feeling. It’s surreal to think I can go anywhere I want and do anything I want. IN.
WOW
OUT
My life is unrestricted. No guards. Oh man the possibilities. What to do first? Pub? Na…… Walk? Na……Food? Na…… Drugs? Hell no…… but it could be like the first time! Where the hell am I going to find a dealer? Ten years of dreamin’ about what I’ll do when I get out and I’m stood here unable to decide. I’m incapable of making decisions, in that place you don’t have to make any choices, you just follow orders. This could be tough. Oh well, proper bed it is! WITH
The spare bed at Jimmy’s place felt like heaven; a mattress with springs… two pillows … a duvet. What have I been missing?
THE DOSH. NO ONE
After waking up and taking a shower, good food was the next bounty of the outside world. And by God was it good. Bacon, fried egg, beans, tattie scones – sooooooooo good – I feel I’m hallucinating. GETS HURT….
The thick yellow yolk trickling down my chin gave me a sense of realisation. That night the “simple” job that turned ugly. The reason I stayed for ten years at her majesty’s pleasure.
It all came down to the money; ha-ha bloody money didn’t do me much good in the slammer.
“Right we’re in then out with the dosh. No one gets hurt………..” some plan that was Jimmy.
IN – goes fine, sufficient panic is caused with the shotguns and balaclavas.
Out with the dosh – goes tits up! The bank manager refuses to hand over the money.
“Just shoot him”
Jimmy’s fist slammed into my face, the blood trickled down my chin. Next thing I know
BOOM
The pungent smell of gun powder lingers at the back of my throat. My ears wring ominously. I feel a sickly sensation and my hand is trembling. I had pulled the trigger without taking any conscious decision. Meekly I looked at the dude I had just shot, he lay there whimpering, his leg was obliterated, “NO one gets hurt” My arse.
Christ. The fact I almost killed a guy hurts more out here. Inside, my story barely even compared to some of those sicko’s gruesome tales. It made my guilt seem inappropriate. My ten year sentence seems to be lasting longer than the prescribed limit.
Got to clear my head. Time for a walk. There’s a giant billboard across the street, it shows a good lookin’ girl but I’m clueless to who it is. Another one has an advert for a TV show called “Big Brother” but Christ knows what that is. What’s up with everyone having a mobile phone? I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
Every person that looks at me I start to resent and I judge them.
HA, he would never survive in prison. There I go again; perhaps I think I’m better than them because I’ve been to jail. Anyone that laughs I’m almost convinced it’s at me and I feel like they know what I did and everyone hates me for it.
Oh Shit.
Life out here could be harder than in there!
Monday, December 04, 2006
Creative Writing: Danielle Malinen
Task: Using a stream of consciousness narrative (in the style of Janice Galloway) write a short story to describe a woman who has ended up pregnant after a one night stand. You should consider her shock at this discovery, the options that would open to her whether she actually knows the father etc.
= Shit!! How did I get myself in this mess, I can’t believe this is happening to me.
I
Can’t
Believe
This
Is
Happening
To
Me!!!
And crying and dramatising the situation isn’t going to change anything because at the end of the day I am still going to be pregnant, up the duff whatever you want to call this predicament. I don’t even know how this could have happened, I’m still a virgin. At least that’s what I’m telling myself, to make these circumstances sound better. I don’t want people to think I am a slut, a whore, exactly what I would call someone if they ended up pregnant at this age. Maybe that’s what I am a fucking whore!
No I can’t be I don’t even know how this happened.
Wait a minute… Jenna’s party.
The flashing disco lights blind me. I move to the drinks table…
FIT LAD: Hey pretty lady, havin’ fun?
ME: I guess so [ I take a drink to calm my nerves]
FIT LAD: I’m Rob, by the way.
Before I get a chance to reply
ROB: So you wanna dance?
He grabs my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor. Normally I’m useless at talking to guys, but that vodka must have helped.
We dance for a while then I run to the toilet, the booze goes through me, to be honest I can’t really handle my drink. He hands me another glass and not wanting to seem like a lightweight, I throw it back in one gulp.
I stumble outside for some fresh air, he follows immediately, like a little lap dog.
He takes my hand and pulls my body towards his, he leans in and our lips touch. He kisses my neck and the butterflies disappear. My whole body goes numb. My head starts to throb. I screw-up my forehead, the pain is unbearable. I fall to the ground. My vision black.
That bastard must have raped me!
How could I have been so stupid. How could I have been so STUPID!!!
This is typical me, trusting someone I barely know. It’s not my fault for my bad judge of character. I blame my mother, I get it from her. She is so gullible, she will believe anything or anyone. One of those people. She would have to be a fool mind you, well she married my father.
Shit! My father, I forgot about him for a second. He always had this low opinion of me anyway. He always said I would end up pregnant at fourteen, hooked on drugs living in the street because my alcoholic mother would have kicked me out.
Well his predictions weren’t half wrong. I can’t tell him. I don’t want to see that smug look on his fat ball head and him saying and I quote “told you so”.
I don’t even no why I am so bothered about this anyway, there is an easy solution. Abortion. The lousy NHS will give me one no probs. I’ll just go to the doctors shed some crocodile tears, you know put on my Oscar winning performance, and it’s a done deal. You know doctors, aren’t as smart as everyone thinks. We just think they are because, they have a Degree (what an achievement).
I promised myself I would not cry over this, but I can’t help myself. I knew something was wrong after I missed my period for the second month in a row. I just did not want to face facts.
Fact: Britain has the highest teenage pregnancy rate, in the whole of Europe.
And I suppose I’m just adding to those statistics. But I didn’t want to even have sex that night, I wasn’t ready. I seem to be blaming myself for this, and its not my fault. I was raped. But why do I feel so dirty and incompetent?
I need help to understand.
I once read that:
Rape is the only crime in which the victim must prove their innocence.
When I read that article I did not think that I would any day be the victim of a rape, and be the one proving my own innocence.
Fact: One in three women who are raped, actually report it to the police.
And I suppose I’m just adding to those statistics, again. I’m not even going to bother reporting him. Why should I? There is no point. It’s not going to change anything. I will probably never even see him again.
I lie in my bed, my head shouting and screaming all different things at once.
Coming to consciousness, I read the clock 15:24. I stand up and head into the bathroom. I see the used pregnancy test, I pick it up, thinking it will have changed and now say I am not actually pregnant. I look at it = shit, so it wasn’t just a dream then. I throw it on the floor in rage.
Slamming my front door and running down my steps. I decide I need some fresh air. It’s not until now that I realise I really don’t have anyone I can go to when I am in trouble.
I walk to the park and sit down on the first bench I see.
My head is so messed up at the moment. I don’t know what to do. Two hours later and I am still sitting here, in the freezing cold.
For the first time since I found out I am pregnant, I have a decent thought. I start walking again. I stop outside this old building and walk inside:
MAN: Can I help you miss?
ME: Yes, I would like to report a rape. [the policeman stares at me with a blank expression. After all what could he say to comfort me]
That two hours sitting on the park bench made me realise, lets change statistics and nail this bastard.
= Shit!! How did I get myself in this mess, I can’t believe this is happening to me.
I
Can’t
Believe
This
Is
Happening
To
Me!!!
And crying and dramatising the situation isn’t going to change anything because at the end of the day I am still going to be pregnant, up the duff whatever you want to call this predicament. I don’t even know how this could have happened, I’m still a virgin. At least that’s what I’m telling myself, to make these circumstances sound better. I don’t want people to think I am a slut, a whore, exactly what I would call someone if they ended up pregnant at this age. Maybe that’s what I am a fucking whore!
No I can’t be I don’t even know how this happened.
Wait a minute… Jenna’s party.
The flashing disco lights blind me. I move to the drinks table…
FIT LAD: Hey pretty lady, havin’ fun?
ME: I guess so [ I take a drink to calm my nerves]
FIT LAD: I’m Rob, by the way.
Before I get a chance to reply
ROB: So you wanna dance?
He grabs my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor. Normally I’m useless at talking to guys, but that vodka must have helped.
We dance for a while then I run to the toilet, the booze goes through me, to be honest I can’t really handle my drink. He hands me another glass and not wanting to seem like a lightweight, I throw it back in one gulp.
I stumble outside for some fresh air, he follows immediately, like a little lap dog.
He takes my hand and pulls my body towards his, he leans in and our lips touch. He kisses my neck and the butterflies disappear. My whole body goes numb. My head starts to throb. I screw-up my forehead, the pain is unbearable. I fall to the ground. My vision black.
That bastard must have raped me!
How could I have been so stupid. How could I have been so STUPID!!!
This is typical me, trusting someone I barely know. It’s not my fault for my bad judge of character. I blame my mother, I get it from her. She is so gullible, she will believe anything or anyone. One of those people. She would have to be a fool mind you, well she married my father.
Shit! My father, I forgot about him for a second. He always had this low opinion of me anyway. He always said I would end up pregnant at fourteen, hooked on drugs living in the street because my alcoholic mother would have kicked me out.
Well his predictions weren’t half wrong. I can’t tell him. I don’t want to see that smug look on his fat ball head and him saying and I quote “told you so”.
I don’t even no why I am so bothered about this anyway, there is an easy solution. Abortion. The lousy NHS will give me one no probs. I’ll just go to the doctors shed some crocodile tears, you know put on my Oscar winning performance, and it’s a done deal. You know doctors, aren’t as smart as everyone thinks. We just think they are because, they have a Degree (what an achievement).
I promised myself I would not cry over this, but I can’t help myself. I knew something was wrong after I missed my period for the second month in a row. I just did not want to face facts.
Fact: Britain has the highest teenage pregnancy rate, in the whole of Europe.
And I suppose I’m just adding to those statistics. But I didn’t want to even have sex that night, I wasn’t ready. I seem to be blaming myself for this, and its not my fault. I was raped. But why do I feel so dirty and incompetent?
I need help to understand.
I once read that:
Rape is the only crime in which the victim must prove their innocence.
When I read that article I did not think that I would any day be the victim of a rape, and be the one proving my own innocence.
Fact: One in three women who are raped, actually report it to the police.
And I suppose I’m just adding to those statistics, again. I’m not even going to bother reporting him. Why should I? There is no point. It’s not going to change anything. I will probably never even see him again.
I lie in my bed, my head shouting and screaming all different things at once.
Coming to consciousness, I read the clock 15:24. I stand up and head into the bathroom. I see the used pregnancy test, I pick it up, thinking it will have changed and now say I am not actually pregnant. I look at it = shit, so it wasn’t just a dream then. I throw it on the floor in rage.
Slamming my front door and running down my steps. I decide I need some fresh air. It’s not until now that I realise I really don’t have anyone I can go to when I am in trouble.
I walk to the park and sit down on the first bench I see.
My head is so messed up at the moment. I don’t know what to do. Two hours later and I am still sitting here, in the freezing cold.
For the first time since I found out I am pregnant, I have a decent thought. I start walking again. I stop outside this old building and walk inside:
MAN: Can I help you miss?
ME: Yes, I would like to report a rape. [the policeman stares at me with a blank expression. After all what could he say to comfort me]
That two hours sitting on the park bench made me realise, lets change statistics and nail this bastard.
"The Crucible" - Key Moments - Act 4
The Decision to Die
When told he must sign his confession, Proctor at first refuses, then he signs it and snatches it away from Danforth. Proctor says that he has signed the confession, they ahve seen him sign it and that they have no need to take the paper away with them. His sense of honour means that he does not want his friedns and family to know he has been weak on the day when others will have been hanged. proctor tears the confession and seals his fate. Proctor helps Rebecca Nurse to walk to the scaffold. Parris and Hale try one time try one last time to get Elizabeth to reason with her husband. She refuses and, from the cell window, watches him die, saying finally: "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him".
After the events of the play and the executions
* Parris was voted out of office and never heard of again.
* Abigail is said to have turned up as a prostitute in Boston.
* Twenty years after the executions, surviving victims were awarded compensation.
* Some people still refused to admit their guilt.
* The excommunications were overturned in 1712
* Farms belonging to th victims remained unoccupied for up to a hundred years.
When told he must sign his confession, Proctor at first refuses, then he signs it and snatches it away from Danforth. Proctor says that he has signed the confession, they ahve seen him sign it and that they have no need to take the paper away with them. His sense of honour means that he does not want his friedns and family to know he has been weak on the day when others will have been hanged. proctor tears the confession and seals his fate. Proctor helps Rebecca Nurse to walk to the scaffold. Parris and Hale try one time try one last time to get Elizabeth to reason with her husband. She refuses and, from the cell window, watches him die, saying finally: "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him".
After the events of the play and the executions
* Parris was voted out of office and never heard of again.
* Abigail is said to have turned up as a prostitute in Boston.
* Twenty years after the executions, surviving victims were awarded compensation.
* Some people still refused to admit their guilt.
* The excommunications were overturned in 1712
* Farms belonging to th victims remained unoccupied for up to a hundred years.
"The Crucible" - Key Moments - Act 3
The "Yellow Bird" episode
At this point Abiagil screams and claims that there is a bird on the beam above and that it is attempting to attack her. She speaks to the bird as though it is or has been sent by Mary. When Mary tries to stop her, Abigail repeats Mary's words, "Abby, you musn't!". Abigail's power is once more evident as she goes on to control the girls psychologically just as much as she did physically an Act 1. The other girls soon join Abigail in mimicking Mary.
The girls flee from the yellow bird taht they say is attacking. This so frightens Mary that she runs to the group of girls and is immediatley comforted by them. Proctor's attempts to persuade the court that the girls are merely pretending are thwarted when Mary cries out "you're the Devil's man!". She further claims that Proctor tried to make her sign the Devil's book. Proctor is arrested and accused of being "combined with anti-Christ". Hale denounces the court and leaves with Danforth angrily calling after him.
At this point Abiagil screams and claims that there is a bird on the beam above and that it is attempting to attack her. She speaks to the bird as though it is or has been sent by Mary. When Mary tries to stop her, Abigail repeats Mary's words, "Abby, you musn't!". Abigail's power is once more evident as she goes on to control the girls psychologically just as much as she did physically an Act 1. The other girls soon join Abigail in mimicking Mary.
The girls flee from the yellow bird taht they say is attacking. This so frightens Mary that she runs to the group of girls and is immediatley comforted by them. Proctor's attempts to persuade the court that the girls are merely pretending are thwarted when Mary cries out "you're the Devil's man!". She further claims that Proctor tried to make her sign the Devil's book. Proctor is arrested and accused of being "combined with anti-Christ". Hale denounces the court and leaves with Danforth angrily calling after him.
Truth
sorry miss we haven't got the last part cos it was supposed to be sent to me but i never got it
Truth
conformity to fact or actuality
a statement prove to be, or accepted as true
sincerity, integrity
At the beginning of “The Crucible”, lies and suspicion are rife, and no one trusts anyone else. By the end, the truth is out. Truth is the driving force behind the witch hunt, though the truth was not always what the court wanted to hear, nor was it always what they received. Character such as Abigail Williams deliberately fed the court lies, distorting their perceptions, and exerting influence over them so that they did not recognise the truth when they heard it. On the other hand, John Proctor and his wife, Elizabeth, find truth of their own, and rediscover there love for each other. Reverend Hale also discovers truth during the course of the play, and is the first character outside of the conspiracy to realise what is going on behind the veil of justice.
Each character reflects the theme of truth in a different way as some are honest and true puritan citizens whereas others exploit the truth for their own benefit.
Abigail Williams
We begin to see Abigail’s manipulation of the truth in the first act. From the beginning she fiercely denies having any involvement in witchcraft even after her uncle has seen her in the woods, which is forbidden. Throughout this act we get to see how Abigail exploits certain situations to save herself and is willing to lie in front of all authority figures, including god, if she gains her one true desire, John Proctor. She triggers the witch hunt when she realises she will be condemned for witchcraft and therefore says that Tituba was the one who conjured spirits. In fear Tituba declares she saw Sarah Good with the devil. Abigail realise that this declaration is being taken seriously so she begins to name villagers aswell to save herself. This shows the self-obsessed side to her personality as she is willing to lie and condemn others to die to save herself. One of the most important parts to this theme is when Abigail runs away as she realises the villagers no longer believe her lies and it is she who will condemned to misery by the villagers for all the lives she has ruined.
John Proctor
John Proctor is the most important character in the play as he is determined to do what is right for his friends and tell the truth even if he sacrifices his own name. He is one of the few people in the play who have not become susceptible to the mass hysteria and sticks to his own premonitions. In the first act we can see that while he is alone with Abigail in Reverend Parris’ house she admits the truth and tells him there was no witchcraft involved. This and the fact that Mary had said there was no witchcraft confirms his belief that the thought of the devil in Salem is outrageous. This presses on his conscience in the days between act 2 and 3 while innocent villagers are being condemned to death and at the beginning of act 3 we see he can no longer hide the truth and confesses what he knows. When the court dismisses his claim he is determined to do everything in his power to get justice for all those innocent people either forced to confess or condemned to death for a crime they did not commit. He is so determined he even blackens his own name by admitting he committed adultery with Abigail to prove that she may have an ulterior motive. However, the trials are not the main way he portrays the theme of truth; it’s his guilt about his affair with Abby. In his scene with Abigail we do not know who he is lying to, himself, Abigail or Elizabeth. This is shown when he says “I have hardly stepped off this farm this seven month”. His honesty with his wife about the affair has lead to their relationship becoming under strain and the regret of the affair adds extra guilt as he realises what a mistake he has made. At the end of the play after john has decided to protest his innocence and stay true to his name we can see his conscience is finally clear and he dies without any regrets of his actions during the trials. This shows us that one of the only few people who are honest is throughout the play are truly “free” from the hysteria at the end of the play.
Reverend Hale
When reverend Hale is summoned at the beginning of the novel he is deemed to be the expert so the villagers take his word as the truth and do not question it. As it gets to the end of the play in the trials Hale sees the ridiculousness of the mass panic in the village and vows he will do everything in his power to protect those who are innocent and protest against the lying girls. His aim is to uphold the truth in the town as the only one who can see through the lies the girls have created.
Steven, Iona and Samantha
Truth
conformity to fact or actuality
a statement prove to be, or accepted as true
sincerity, integrity
At the beginning of “The Crucible”, lies and suspicion are rife, and no one trusts anyone else. By the end, the truth is out. Truth is the driving force behind the witch hunt, though the truth was not always what the court wanted to hear, nor was it always what they received. Character such as Abigail Williams deliberately fed the court lies, distorting their perceptions, and exerting influence over them so that they did not recognise the truth when they heard it. On the other hand, John Proctor and his wife, Elizabeth, find truth of their own, and rediscover there love for each other. Reverend Hale also discovers truth during the course of the play, and is the first character outside of the conspiracy to realise what is going on behind the veil of justice.
Each character reflects the theme of truth in a different way as some are honest and true puritan citizens whereas others exploit the truth for their own benefit.
Abigail Williams
We begin to see Abigail’s manipulation of the truth in the first act. From the beginning she fiercely denies having any involvement in witchcraft even after her uncle has seen her in the woods, which is forbidden. Throughout this act we get to see how Abigail exploits certain situations to save herself and is willing to lie in front of all authority figures, including god, if she gains her one true desire, John Proctor. She triggers the witch hunt when she realises she will be condemned for witchcraft and therefore says that Tituba was the one who conjured spirits. In fear Tituba declares she saw Sarah Good with the devil. Abigail realise that this declaration is being taken seriously so she begins to name villagers aswell to save herself. This shows the self-obsessed side to her personality as she is willing to lie and condemn others to die to save herself. One of the most important parts to this theme is when Abigail runs away as she realises the villagers no longer believe her lies and it is she who will condemned to misery by the villagers for all the lives she has ruined.
John Proctor
John Proctor is the most important character in the play as he is determined to do what is right for his friends and tell the truth even if he sacrifices his own name. He is one of the few people in the play who have not become susceptible to the mass hysteria and sticks to his own premonitions. In the first act we can see that while he is alone with Abigail in Reverend Parris’ house she admits the truth and tells him there was no witchcraft involved. This and the fact that Mary had said there was no witchcraft confirms his belief that the thought of the devil in Salem is outrageous. This presses on his conscience in the days between act 2 and 3 while innocent villagers are being condemned to death and at the beginning of act 3 we see he can no longer hide the truth and confesses what he knows. When the court dismisses his claim he is determined to do everything in his power to get justice for all those innocent people either forced to confess or condemned to death for a crime they did not commit. He is so determined he even blackens his own name by admitting he committed adultery with Abigail to prove that she may have an ulterior motive. However, the trials are not the main way he portrays the theme of truth; it’s his guilt about his affair with Abby. In his scene with Abigail we do not know who he is lying to, himself, Abigail or Elizabeth. This is shown when he says “I have hardly stepped off this farm this seven month”. His honesty with his wife about the affair has lead to their relationship becoming under strain and the regret of the affair adds extra guilt as he realises what a mistake he has made. At the end of the play after john has decided to protest his innocence and stay true to his name we can see his conscience is finally clear and he dies without any regrets of his actions during the trials. This shows us that one of the only few people who are honest is throughout the play are truly “free” from the hysteria at the end of the play.
Reverend Hale
When reverend Hale is summoned at the beginning of the novel he is deemed to be the expert so the villagers take his word as the truth and do not question it. As it gets to the end of the play in the trials Hale sees the ridiculousness of the mass panic in the village and vows he will do everything in his power to protect those who are innocent and protest against the lying girls. His aim is to uphold the truth in the town as the only one who can see through the lies the girls have created.
Steven, Iona and Samantha
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Fear
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.
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.
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.
Friday, November 24, 2006
More Technical Terms
Have a look at this web page. There are a few more technical terms and I will start using some of these in the weekly tests!!
http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/N/novel/glossary.html
http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/N/novel/glossary.html
Creative writing
A reminder that this is due on the 5th December. I would like you to post these up on here by then too.
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Structure in "The Crucible"
The Crucible follows a fairly striaghtforward structure. Events on the stage reflect the time that would be spent in real life. This realistic drama concentrates on the important epiodes and fills in what happens between acts as unobtrusively as possible.
This internal structure is slightly more complicated. Miller employs a different pattern of pace and climax in each Act, and unifies all four by interweaving John Proctor's personal history with the fate of Salem. Act 1 is "an overture". The main characters introduec themselves as neighbours invading Mr Parris's house to ask about the rumours of witchcraft. Their rapid entrances and exits creat an atmosphere between John and Abigail alerts us to another storyline, but the topic of witchcraft remains dominant.
Act 2, in contrast, opens quietly, and explores at length a different situaion: the relationship between John and his wife. These two perspectives are brought togethr when the court officials burst in to arrest Elizabeth.
Structurally, Act 3 is the most complicated section of the wholeplay. Miller does not place his trial scene in the courtroom itself. We briefly overhear what is happening there, and then, by a natural sequence of events, judges and defendeants remove themselves to an anteroom on stage. Thus Miller can bring into play the cut and thrust of legal drama, but in a much freer setting. In this act, there is also a striking example of what he calls the holding back of climax.
After the uproar of the court, comes the chilly isolation of Salem jail. In Act 4, the witchcraft theme gives way entirely to the resolution of John Proctor's personal crisis. It is a proof of Miller's dramatic skill in blending the public and personal themes of his play that the transition seems entirely natural.
This internal structure is slightly more complicated. Miller employs a different pattern of pace and climax in each Act, and unifies all four by interweaving John Proctor's personal history with the fate of Salem. Act 1 is "an overture". The main characters introduec themselves as neighbours invading Mr Parris's house to ask about the rumours of witchcraft. Their rapid entrances and exits creat an atmosphere between John and Abigail alerts us to another storyline, but the topic of witchcraft remains dominant.
Act 2, in contrast, opens quietly, and explores at length a different situaion: the relationship between John and his wife. These two perspectives are brought togethr when the court officials burst in to arrest Elizabeth.
Structurally, Act 3 is the most complicated section of the wholeplay. Miller does not place his trial scene in the courtroom itself. We briefly overhear what is happening there, and then, by a natural sequence of events, judges and defendeants remove themselves to an anteroom on stage. Thus Miller can bring into play the cut and thrust of legal drama, but in a much freer setting. In this act, there is also a striking example of what he calls the holding back of climax.
After the uproar of the court, comes the chilly isolation of Salem jail. In Act 4, the witchcraft theme gives way entirely to the resolution of John Proctor's personal crisis. It is a proof of Miller's dramatic skill in blending the public and personal themes of his play that the transition seems entirely natural.
"Crucible" - Themes
Purification
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.
Tyranny
The Crucible shows a group of people reacting within a state of tyranny, in this case tyranny exerted by religious bigots, who manipulate a situation for their own purposes and choose to misinterpret events for their own momentum and veer out of control.
Bigotry
Throughout the events in Salem we wee the effects of religious zeal, fear of heresy, intolerance and superstition. Reverand Hale is so proud of his knowledge of witchcraft that he is quick to accept the girls' confessions as prook of this skill. Others are more than willing to accept supernatural reasons or "unnatural causes" for their problems. There is so much insecurity in the young colony that anyone who questions the authorities, either religious or state, is seen to be launching an attack on the whole foundations of society.
Conflict
The coflict between the security of the community and "individual freedom" is one theme which runs through the play. Salem was a community which felt under seige, threatened by the dangers of the wilderness, the possible corrupting influences of other Christian sects, and a genuine fear of the Devil. The play has obvious parallels with the McCarthy investigations, which were proceeding when it was first produced. The Crucible has been seen as a simple allegory of the abuse of state power by those who persucuted and denounced people who were thought to be undermining the American way of life. Just as in Salem, any who opposed McCarthy's investigations were treated as enemeies of the state.
Integrity
Honesty and personal integrity are important themes. the most admirable characters who retain their dignity are those who will not subscribe to lies. Rebecca Nurse and Elizabeth Proctor are shining examples: both insist on the truth, regardless of the consequences for themselves. John Proctor is finally at peace with himself when he decides to die rather than give up his good name. He is purified in the "crucible" of the stresses and temptations he is subjected to. On the other hand, Reverend Hale (who at the end begs Proctor to lie, admit to witchcraft and save his life) is miserable, mentally tortured and morally bankrupt.
Loyalty
Loyalty is a theme which is illustarted in the behaviour of John Proctor towrdas his friends. He is temoted to withdraw his charges against Abigail and her group when he is told that his wife is pregnant and is not in immediate danger of hanging, but he goes ahead to support his friends whose wives have also been accused. Elizabeth, although she has been badly hurt by her husband's affair with abigail, is too loyal to shame him in court and denies knowledge of it. Ironically her loyalty destroy's John's case against Abigail.
Courage
We are shown courage in the behaviour of the accused, particularly Rebecca Nurse. As she goes to be hanged she tells John to "fear nothing!" as another judgement awaits them. John tells his wife to defy the authorities and to show them no tears. We hear of Giles Corey's stubborn courage in refusing to answer the charges so that his sons may inherit his farm. His last defiant words, as he was being crushed to death, were "More weight".
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.
Tyranny
The Crucible shows a group of people reacting within a state of tyranny, in this case tyranny exerted by religious bigots, who manipulate a situation for their own purposes and choose to misinterpret events for their own momentum and veer out of control.
Bigotry
Throughout the events in Salem we wee the effects of religious zeal, fear of heresy, intolerance and superstition. Reverand Hale is so proud of his knowledge of witchcraft that he is quick to accept the girls' confessions as prook of this skill. Others are more than willing to accept supernatural reasons or "unnatural causes" for their problems. There is so much insecurity in the young colony that anyone who questions the authorities, either religious or state, is seen to be launching an attack on the whole foundations of society.
Conflict
The coflict between the security of the community and "individual freedom" is one theme which runs through the play. Salem was a community which felt under seige, threatened by the dangers of the wilderness, the possible corrupting influences of other Christian sects, and a genuine fear of the Devil. The play has obvious parallels with the McCarthy investigations, which were proceeding when it was first produced. The Crucible has been seen as a simple allegory of the abuse of state power by those who persucuted and denounced people who were thought to be undermining the American way of life. Just as in Salem, any who opposed McCarthy's investigations were treated as enemeies of the state.
Integrity
Honesty and personal integrity are important themes. the most admirable characters who retain their dignity are those who will not subscribe to lies. Rebecca Nurse and Elizabeth Proctor are shining examples: both insist on the truth, regardless of the consequences for themselves. John Proctor is finally at peace with himself when he decides to die rather than give up his good name. He is purified in the "crucible" of the stresses and temptations he is subjected to. On the other hand, Reverend Hale (who at the end begs Proctor to lie, admit to witchcraft and save his life) is miserable, mentally tortured and morally bankrupt.
Loyalty
Loyalty is a theme which is illustarted in the behaviour of John Proctor towrdas his friends. He is temoted to withdraw his charges against Abigail and her group when he is told that his wife is pregnant and is not in immediate danger of hanging, but he goes ahead to support his friends whose wives have also been accused. Elizabeth, although she has been badly hurt by her husband's affair with abigail, is too loyal to shame him in court and denies knowledge of it. Ironically her loyalty destroy's John's case against Abigail.
Courage
We are shown courage in the behaviour of the accused, particularly Rebecca Nurse. As she goes to be hanged she tells John to "fear nothing!" as another judgement awaits them. John tells his wife to defy the authorities and to show them no tears. We hear of Giles Corey's stubborn courage in refusing to answer the charges so that his sons may inherit his farm. His last defiant words, as he was being crushed to death, were "More weight".
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Crucible interactive revision
I found this on another website - you can play around with it when revising!!!
http://www.hawick.scotborders.sch.uk/departments/Handbook2/S6H/Crucible/The%20Crucible.ppt
http://www.hawick.scotborders.sch.uk/departments/Handbook2/S6H/Crucible/The%20Crucible.ppt
"The Crucible" - Act 4 Questions and Notes
ACT 4
The scene opens at daybreak, some three months later, in Proctor’s cell.
This cell is very oppressive. In contrast to the previous acts, no sun pours or streams through the windows, no open door gives a glimpse of green fields. The place is in darkness and the moonlight merely ‘seeps’ through the bars. This idea is strengthened by the “high barred window” and the “heavy door”.
· The ‘devil bird’ seen by Sarah and Tituba could serve as a reminder of the bird that Abigail and the others saw in Act 3. In what ways , however, does it seem different?
· How is Hale now regarded by the authorities? What does he feel towards his ministry now?
· Hale and Parris pray together here. Why does this seem strange? Provide a brief character analysis of Parris at this stage.
· List some of the devastations affecting the community as described by Cheever.
Revd. Hale was previously concerned with saving souls and driving out the Devil; now he seems more interested in saving lives. His change in attitude should reflect the views of the audience at this point, identifying and appreciating the difference between saving souls and saving lives.
· Why has Parris waited two days before telling the court of Abigail’s disappearance? Examine Parris’ language here. What is he most concerned with? Has he really changed?
· Why does her flight have serious implications for Danforth?
· What is Danforth’s reaction to events in Andover?
· What do the answers of the previous questions tell you about the character of Danforth?
Danforth does not seem unduly moved by Abigail’s disappearance and the girls are not mentioned again. Despite the fact that the court owes its existence to their accusation, they seem irrelevant now the witch-hunt has taken on a momentum of its own.
· What can you determine about Parris’ mental state from his reaction to the dagger?
· Comment on the stage directions regarding Hale being “steeped in sorrow”.
· Consider Danforth’s argument that to pardon the condemned would only “cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died until now.” Do you have any sympathy for his argument or do you think the judgement is rooted in pride?
· Examine Hale’s speeches on pages 104/105. How is his guilt evident?
· Why does he feel doubly damned for counselling the people to lie, to confess sins of which they are innocent?
· Why do you think Elizabeth called this advice of Hale’s the “Devil’s argument”?
· How do you judge Revd. Hale in light of Elizabeth’s sense of right and wrong?
· What does Proctor’s refusal of cider show of his character, even after months in prison?
· What effect does Giles’ death have on Proctor? In what way does it show a build up pressure on him?
· a) Why would John’s conscience have been eased if Rebecca had confessed?
b) What does her standpoint thus illustrate?
c) Why, yet, does John not feel in the same position as her? (QUOTE)
d) Either mentally or on paper, follow the reasoning by which John changes this apathetic attitude, convincing himself he does have some shred of goodness.
· Proctor knows he has his wife’s support in whatever he decides but she declines to advise him. Is she right to do this? From what you think of her character, what do you think she really feels about John’s initial decision to confess?
· Elizabeth’s response that John should “forgive himself” is strange yet shows her understanding of the situation is deeper than her husband’s. What has she recognised?
· Examine Elizabeth’s moment of truth, shown through her remark, “It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.”
In light of these revelations, was Abigail right in her judgement of Elizabeth’s “coldness”?
“Then who will judge me?”
There are two answers to John Proctor’s questions: God, and John Proctor. Proctor recognises that a false confession would be a lie, and therefore a sin. Coming to terms with this helps him find the strength to act according to the dictates of his conscience later on.
· Find words from this dialogue, which either conform or betray truth.
· Explain Danforth’s error of judgement in bringing Rebecca before John.
Pressure again mounts for John and the appearance of Rebecca is skilfully done. She speaks hardly at all, but the significance of her appearance lies in her bright greeting and her astonishment at his plans: this is not the John Proctor she knows by his name.
· Consider the dramatic pacing of the climax of this Act. In one sense, we want Proctor to survive, he seems safe, then suddenly he changes his mind in a dramatic twist, has one short speech of justification, then is swept to death and the final curtain.
· Explain how the crux of the problem is highlighted by John’s speech, “I want my name.”
· In what way is the tearing of the confession different to the tearing of the warrant in Act 2? How is John different?
· Parris is in “deadly fear”; Hale condemns John’s decision as stemming from “pride” and “vanity”. Is Hale more interested in the confession for personal reasons? How does he compare with Parris?
Note the similarities between this scene and the first. Does the sun, this time, carry a sense of hope? The end focuses on conscience, not on an historical context. It is conclusive in terms of Proctor’s moral conscience.
“Echoes down the corridor” adds authenticity to the drama.
The scene opens at daybreak, some three months later, in Proctor’s cell.
This cell is very oppressive. In contrast to the previous acts, no sun pours or streams through the windows, no open door gives a glimpse of green fields. The place is in darkness and the moonlight merely ‘seeps’ through the bars. This idea is strengthened by the “high barred window” and the “heavy door”.
· The ‘devil bird’ seen by Sarah and Tituba could serve as a reminder of the bird that Abigail and the others saw in Act 3. In what ways , however, does it seem different?
· How is Hale now regarded by the authorities? What does he feel towards his ministry now?
· Hale and Parris pray together here. Why does this seem strange? Provide a brief character analysis of Parris at this stage.
· List some of the devastations affecting the community as described by Cheever.
Revd. Hale was previously concerned with saving souls and driving out the Devil; now he seems more interested in saving lives. His change in attitude should reflect the views of the audience at this point, identifying and appreciating the difference between saving souls and saving lives.
· Why has Parris waited two days before telling the court of Abigail’s disappearance? Examine Parris’ language here. What is he most concerned with? Has he really changed?
· Why does her flight have serious implications for Danforth?
· What is Danforth’s reaction to events in Andover?
· What do the answers of the previous questions tell you about the character of Danforth?
Danforth does not seem unduly moved by Abigail’s disappearance and the girls are not mentioned again. Despite the fact that the court owes its existence to their accusation, they seem irrelevant now the witch-hunt has taken on a momentum of its own.
· What can you determine about Parris’ mental state from his reaction to the dagger?
· Comment on the stage directions regarding Hale being “steeped in sorrow”.
· Consider Danforth’s argument that to pardon the condemned would only “cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died until now.” Do you have any sympathy for his argument or do you think the judgement is rooted in pride?
· Examine Hale’s speeches on pages 104/105. How is his guilt evident?
· Why does he feel doubly damned for counselling the people to lie, to confess sins of which they are innocent?
· Why do you think Elizabeth called this advice of Hale’s the “Devil’s argument”?
· How do you judge Revd. Hale in light of Elizabeth’s sense of right and wrong?
· What does Proctor’s refusal of cider show of his character, even after months in prison?
· What effect does Giles’ death have on Proctor? In what way does it show a build up pressure on him?
· a) Why would John’s conscience have been eased if Rebecca had confessed?
b) What does her standpoint thus illustrate?
c) Why, yet, does John not feel in the same position as her? (QUOTE)
d) Either mentally or on paper, follow the reasoning by which John changes this apathetic attitude, convincing himself he does have some shred of goodness.
· Proctor knows he has his wife’s support in whatever he decides but she declines to advise him. Is she right to do this? From what you think of her character, what do you think she really feels about John’s initial decision to confess?
· Elizabeth’s response that John should “forgive himself” is strange yet shows her understanding of the situation is deeper than her husband’s. What has she recognised?
· Examine Elizabeth’s moment of truth, shown through her remark, “It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.”
In light of these revelations, was Abigail right in her judgement of Elizabeth’s “coldness”?
“Then who will judge me?”
There are two answers to John Proctor’s questions: God, and John Proctor. Proctor recognises that a false confession would be a lie, and therefore a sin. Coming to terms with this helps him find the strength to act according to the dictates of his conscience later on.
· Find words from this dialogue, which either conform or betray truth.
· Explain Danforth’s error of judgement in bringing Rebecca before John.
Pressure again mounts for John and the appearance of Rebecca is skilfully done. She speaks hardly at all, but the significance of her appearance lies in her bright greeting and her astonishment at his plans: this is not the John Proctor she knows by his name.
· Consider the dramatic pacing of the climax of this Act. In one sense, we want Proctor to survive, he seems safe, then suddenly he changes his mind in a dramatic twist, has one short speech of justification, then is swept to death and the final curtain.
· Explain how the crux of the problem is highlighted by John’s speech, “I want my name.”
· In what way is the tearing of the confession different to the tearing of the warrant in Act 2? How is John different?
· Parris is in “deadly fear”; Hale condemns John’s decision as stemming from “pride” and “vanity”. Is Hale more interested in the confession for personal reasons? How does he compare with Parris?
Note the similarities between this scene and the first. Does the sun, this time, carry a sense of hope? The end focuses on conscience, not on an historical context. It is conclusive in terms of Proctor’s moral conscience.
“Echoes down the corridor” adds authenticity to the drama.
"The Crucible" - Act 3 Questions and Notes
Note on Act 2
Proctor: “Pontius Pilate was the Roman administrator of Judea, responsible for the administration of law in that area, who refused to condemn Christ because he could find no wrong in Him. However, instead of freeing Christ, Pilate allowed the Jewish mob to determine his fate, leading to His crucifixion and death.
Is Proctor being fair or accurate in using this parallel? Elizabeth is like Christ in her innocence, but what of Reverend Hale? Is he like Pontius Pilate? Both men commanded positions of power, and Hale has signed seventy-two death warrants, but has Rev. Hale really the power to prevent anything? Has Proctor? Can any individual withstand the tide of hysteria in Salem?
ACT 3
I t is now a week later in the courtroom of Salem.
In this act the tragedy of John and Elizabeth is acted out. John is forced to admit his adultery, Elizabeth lies to save him, and Abigail triumphs, although she loses what she so desperately sought- the love and possession of John.
· This act also allows John and Elizabeth to find out what is really important to them. Explain and link to the problems in the community, showing how they have broken free.
· How does the court react to Giles’ claim that Putnam “is reaching out for land”?
· What does his comment “You’re hearing lies” do to the credulity of his own evidence?
· Find a quote that shows the hopelessness of arguing against convoluted (complicated/intricate) logic.
· Find a quote on page 96 that again shows Hale’s doubts.
· What is the reaction to Francis Nurse’s claim that “the girls are frauds”?
· Examine what Danforth says regarding the girls on page 71, and so what problems the accused are faced with in attempting to defend themselves.
· Comment on the quote “We burn a hot fire; it melts down all concealment.”
· Find parallels between Danforth’s questioning of John, “Are you a gospel Christian” and allegations voiced by the Reverend Hale.
· Why is it ironic that John states Elizabeth would never lie, in light of later events?
Reverend Hale now seems disturbed, whereas John Proctor is calm.
· Find evidence to back this up.
· Study the logic of Danforth’s argument, “Let you consider now.”
Is it possible that Mary Warren, the “subservient, naïve, lonely girl,” can now become the instrument of justice and truth?
The argument about the poppet adds a touch of the ridiculous to the proceedings.
· Find a quote by John that links in with this.
· Why can Mary Warren not faint now?
How do a) Danforth, and
b) Abigail respond to this?
Do you notice any similarities between Abigail’s behaviour now and in Act 1?
· Comment on the dramatic change in John Proctor form a controlled man to one who physically attacks Abigail.
· Why does Danforth so readily accept John’s claim of adultery? Quote as evidence.
· How does Miller create tension when Elizabeth is questioned?
· Why is Elizabeth’s final answer so ironic?
Hale states at this time that he cannot “shut [his] conscience” – indicating his anguish. He is now prepared to defend John and Elizabeth.
· How accurate do you consider Hale to be in his claim that “private vengeance” lies beneath the court’s charges?
· How does Abigail react at this point?
Her manipulation of this event shows the power and the far-reaching nature of hysteria.
· “A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth!…God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!”
John gives a different interpretation of fire. He implies that Danforth’s fires are Lucifer’s and help to conceal falseness. This is a powerful condemnation but ironically it reflects the fraud in John’s own heart.
The fact that Hale quits the court and the proceedings helps to add weight to John’s words.
Proctor: “Pontius Pilate was the Roman administrator of Judea, responsible for the administration of law in that area, who refused to condemn Christ because he could find no wrong in Him. However, instead of freeing Christ, Pilate allowed the Jewish mob to determine his fate, leading to His crucifixion and death.
Is Proctor being fair or accurate in using this parallel? Elizabeth is like Christ in her innocence, but what of Reverend Hale? Is he like Pontius Pilate? Both men commanded positions of power, and Hale has signed seventy-two death warrants, but has Rev. Hale really the power to prevent anything? Has Proctor? Can any individual withstand the tide of hysteria in Salem?
ACT 3
I t is now a week later in the courtroom of Salem.
In this act the tragedy of John and Elizabeth is acted out. John is forced to admit his adultery, Elizabeth lies to save him, and Abigail triumphs, although she loses what she so desperately sought- the love and possession of John.
· This act also allows John and Elizabeth to find out what is really important to them. Explain and link to the problems in the community, showing how they have broken free.
· How does the court react to Giles’ claim that Putnam “is reaching out for land”?
· What does his comment “You’re hearing lies” do to the credulity of his own evidence?
· Find a quote that shows the hopelessness of arguing against convoluted (complicated/intricate) logic.
· Find a quote on page 96 that again shows Hale’s doubts.
· What is the reaction to Francis Nurse’s claim that “the girls are frauds”?
· Examine what Danforth says regarding the girls on page 71, and so what problems the accused are faced with in attempting to defend themselves.
· Comment on the quote “We burn a hot fire; it melts down all concealment.”
· Find parallels between Danforth’s questioning of John, “Are you a gospel Christian” and allegations voiced by the Reverend Hale.
· Why is it ironic that John states Elizabeth would never lie, in light of later events?
Reverend Hale now seems disturbed, whereas John Proctor is calm.
· Find evidence to back this up.
· Study the logic of Danforth’s argument, “Let you consider now.”
Is it possible that Mary Warren, the “subservient, naïve, lonely girl,” can now become the instrument of justice and truth?
The argument about the poppet adds a touch of the ridiculous to the proceedings.
· Find a quote by John that links in with this.
· Why can Mary Warren not faint now?
How do a) Danforth, and
b) Abigail respond to this?
Do you notice any similarities between Abigail’s behaviour now and in Act 1?
· Comment on the dramatic change in John Proctor form a controlled man to one who physically attacks Abigail.
· Why does Danforth so readily accept John’s claim of adultery? Quote as evidence.
· How does Miller create tension when Elizabeth is questioned?
· Why is Elizabeth’s final answer so ironic?
Hale states at this time that he cannot “shut [his] conscience” – indicating his anguish. He is now prepared to defend John and Elizabeth.
· How accurate do you consider Hale to be in his claim that “private vengeance” lies beneath the court’s charges?
· How does Abigail react at this point?
Her manipulation of this event shows the power and the far-reaching nature of hysteria.
· “A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth!…God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!”
John gives a different interpretation of fire. He implies that Danforth’s fires are Lucifer’s and help to conceal falseness. This is a powerful condemnation but ironically it reflects the fraud in John’s own heart.
The fact that Hale quits the court and the proceedings helps to add weight to John’s words.
"The Crucible" - Act 2 Questions and Notes
ACT 2
The setting is evening, eight days after the events of Act 1.
The enclosed atmosphere is continued as Act 2 is set in the main room of Proctor’s house. The action at first centres on John Proctor and Elizabeth. Affairs that touch the Proctor household are symptomatic of the wider events which affect the whole of Salem.
John seasons his food, then complements Elizabeth on how well she has seasoned the food.
· What does this illustrate about their feelings towards one another?
John’s relationship with his wife is uneasy and constantly changing. Their first appearance together is full of subtle hints of an unhappy marriage (which is later redeemed by their sufferings).
· Find examples of this unease.
· Explain clearly why you think Miller directs Elizabeth to “receive” John’s kiss?
They cannot talk about the affair and their lack of honesty with each other illustrates, in microcosm, the ill that affects the whole community.
Mary Warren is discussed.
· She was originally described as a “mouse”. Does this description still apply?
· What does the change in Mary represent?
· Examine the way Elizabeth describes events in the town and how this contrasts with the (superficially) peaceful mood in the house.
· Find two remarks made by Elizabeth that point to the rise in Abigail’s power in the past few days.
John’s first ‘test’ comes when Elizabeth asks him to go to Ezekiel Cheever. He refuses to take action and perhaps this is because of his feelings for Abigail and his desire not to accuse her.
John admits to having been alone with Abigail.
· What do you think this revelation does to Elizabeth’s faith in John?
· What do you think is John’s main concern: his own good name, Abigail, or the relationship with his wife?
“You forget nothin’ and forgive nothin’…”
· Is this resentment justified, or is it the result of John’s guilty conscience?
Although John’s independence and refusal to accept authority can later be regarded as noble, here it leads to an expression of guilt through resentment.
“The magistrate sits in you heart” shows John has to look to the demands of his own conscience for decisions, just as he will have to do later on.
Balance seems to be suggested in the death sentence pronounced against Goody Osburn and the fact that Sarah Good had confessed and will not hang.
This is mirrored when Danforth strives for Proctor’s confession- he sees it as partial justification for the trials and hangings already taken place.
· Find the ‘evidence’ by which the women are accused.
What is terrifying and ominous is the credulity that the court shows in hearing evidence.
· Look for more unlikely or unconvincing things being believed.
Proctor’s final test is prepared for: “Then go and tell her she’s a whore”
Elizabeth has now realised that Abigail means to ‘replace her’ as John’s wife and is aware of her ‘name’. John is uncertain what to do, but his decision not to confess grows out of several changes of mind.
· Find the description of Hale. What has changed about him?
· Why does he act without 'authority’?
Hysteria is increased because we do not se the majority of the arrests: the numbers grow with horrifying speed.
The Commandments
It is ironic that John should forget “Thou shalt not commit adultery”.
· How do the three characters react to this lapse in memory? What greater significance does it carry for at least two of them?
Giles Corey arrives with news of his wife’s arrest. His timing is ironic as Hale has just been interrogating Proctor about his belief in witches and this interrogation was prompted by Giles’ earlier unthinking remark. His question about his wife’s reading of books has inadvertently led to her arrest.
Elizabeth is arrested and this shows different side to her character. She is a realist- she recognises the inevitability of her arrest and makes preparations for the family. She demonstrates great control and puts her own safety last.
· Do you believe that she is “cold”, as Abigail says? Discuss in light of the present situation.
Reverend Hale is in a “fever of guilt and uncertainty”.
· Look back and assess his reactions to Mary Warren’s evidence. Was this where his doubts about the validity of the witch-hunts began?
The fact that Mary knows about Abigail’s relationship with Abigail brings John to an abrupt halt. After all, if Mary knows, who else knows? Proctor’s guilty secret, the thing which has been keeping him back from taking the necessary action, seems to be common knowledge. However, he still has to come to terms with confessing this in public.
· Find the religious imagery that Proctor now uses.
It is his moral duty as a Christian to put a halt to the witch-hunt. He almost welcomes the honesty that is forced upon him.
“It is a providence, and no great change; we are only what we
always were, but naked now.”
He will no longer have to live with a lie, tormented by his past, but he knows what is coming will not be easy. His ordeal will be great.
The setting is evening, eight days after the events of Act 1.
The enclosed atmosphere is continued as Act 2 is set in the main room of Proctor’s house. The action at first centres on John Proctor and Elizabeth. Affairs that touch the Proctor household are symptomatic of the wider events which affect the whole of Salem.
John seasons his food, then complements Elizabeth on how well she has seasoned the food.
· What does this illustrate about their feelings towards one another?
John’s relationship with his wife is uneasy and constantly changing. Their first appearance together is full of subtle hints of an unhappy marriage (which is later redeemed by their sufferings).
· Find examples of this unease.
· Explain clearly why you think Miller directs Elizabeth to “receive” John’s kiss?
They cannot talk about the affair and their lack of honesty with each other illustrates, in microcosm, the ill that affects the whole community.
Mary Warren is discussed.
· She was originally described as a “mouse”. Does this description still apply?
· What does the change in Mary represent?
· Examine the way Elizabeth describes events in the town and how this contrasts with the (superficially) peaceful mood in the house.
· Find two remarks made by Elizabeth that point to the rise in Abigail’s power in the past few days.
John’s first ‘test’ comes when Elizabeth asks him to go to Ezekiel Cheever. He refuses to take action and perhaps this is because of his feelings for Abigail and his desire not to accuse her.
John admits to having been alone with Abigail.
· What do you think this revelation does to Elizabeth’s faith in John?
· What do you think is John’s main concern: his own good name, Abigail, or the relationship with his wife?
“You forget nothin’ and forgive nothin’…”
· Is this resentment justified, or is it the result of John’s guilty conscience?
Although John’s independence and refusal to accept authority can later be regarded as noble, here it leads to an expression of guilt through resentment.
“The magistrate sits in you heart” shows John has to look to the demands of his own conscience for decisions, just as he will have to do later on.
Balance seems to be suggested in the death sentence pronounced against Goody Osburn and the fact that Sarah Good had confessed and will not hang.
This is mirrored when Danforth strives for Proctor’s confession- he sees it as partial justification for the trials and hangings already taken place.
· Find the ‘evidence’ by which the women are accused.
What is terrifying and ominous is the credulity that the court shows in hearing evidence.
· Look for more unlikely or unconvincing things being believed.
Proctor’s final test is prepared for: “Then go and tell her she’s a whore”
Elizabeth has now realised that Abigail means to ‘replace her’ as John’s wife and is aware of her ‘name’. John is uncertain what to do, but his decision not to confess grows out of several changes of mind.
· Find the description of Hale. What has changed about him?
· Why does he act without 'authority’?
Hysteria is increased because we do not se the majority of the arrests: the numbers grow with horrifying speed.
The Commandments
It is ironic that John should forget “Thou shalt not commit adultery”.
· How do the three characters react to this lapse in memory? What greater significance does it carry for at least two of them?
Giles Corey arrives with news of his wife’s arrest. His timing is ironic as Hale has just been interrogating Proctor about his belief in witches and this interrogation was prompted by Giles’ earlier unthinking remark. His question about his wife’s reading of books has inadvertently led to her arrest.
Elizabeth is arrested and this shows different side to her character. She is a realist- she recognises the inevitability of her arrest and makes preparations for the family. She demonstrates great control and puts her own safety last.
· Do you believe that she is “cold”, as Abigail says? Discuss in light of the present situation.
Reverend Hale is in a “fever of guilt and uncertainty”.
· Look back and assess his reactions to Mary Warren’s evidence. Was this where his doubts about the validity of the witch-hunts began?
The fact that Mary knows about Abigail’s relationship with Abigail brings John to an abrupt halt. After all, if Mary knows, who else knows? Proctor’s guilty secret, the thing which has been keeping him back from taking the necessary action, seems to be common knowledge. However, he still has to come to terms with confessing this in public.
· Find the religious imagery that Proctor now uses.
It is his moral duty as a Christian to put a halt to the witch-hunt. He almost welcomes the honesty that is forced upon him.
“It is a providence, and no great change; we are only what we
always were, but naked now.”
He will no longer have to live with a lie, tormented by his past, but he knows what is coming will not be easy. His ordeal will be great.
"The Crucible" - Act 1 Questions and Notes
Stage Directions
These are very important in The Crucible. Not only do they help us visualise what is happening but they also tell us about characters, themes, and historical background.
Characters are described on first entry eg
Abigail has “an endless capacity for dissembling”
Mrs. Putnam is described as a “death-ridden woman”
In addition, Miller periodically adds short essays for those reading the play.
ACT 1
There is a claustrophobic atmosphere in the small upstairs room. The smallness of the room in Parris’ house symbolises the narrow-mindedness of the community and, as a setting for different emotions let loose, helps to intensify the effect.
The scene is charged with fear, guilt, hate and envy.
There are many entrances and exits, which creates activity and the idea of the crucible as a melting pot- basic elements are mixed, heated to the point of an explosive force.
All the main characters make an appearance, except Danforth and Elizabeth. Nevertheless, the latter is introduced.
· How does Miller do this?
· Why do you think he does this?
Many petty disputes and animosities are shown which are important to an understanding of character motivations.
· Find at least one example.
The play opens in springtime.
· Traditionally, what does this time symbolise?
· Why does it seem ironic for sunlight to be streaming through the window?
COMMENT ON:
The Reverend Parris “prays”.
· Who for?
· Compare to Hale’s prayer at the end. How are they contrasted?
The Reverend Parris “weeps”. This shows confusion, a lack of strong personal convictions.
Tituba asks after Betty. This illustrates violence for the first time, verbal and physical.
· Examine the difference between Parris’ prayers to God and to Betty.
· Find examples of Parris’ growing self-centredness.
Parris questions Abigail about her name; this is the first reference of the kind. Abigail resents the fact that her name (her character) is being compromised.
· Do you think that she truly believes “There be no blush.”
· Identify how quickly Abigail’s defence becomes an attack.
The arrival of the Putnam’s signal an intensification of pressure on Parris, increases the threat to his security.
· Why do you think Parris does not tell the truth about what he knows happens?
· Examine the confrontation between Abigail and John.
(Note that in each Act, John is involved in emotionally charged scenes with women: Abigail in 1 & 3 and Elizabeth in 2 & 4.)
The first naming of another with malicious intent comes from Putnam.
Abigail “is enraptured, as though in a pearly light.”
· Is this true? Is she pretending?
She reaffirms what Tituba said, adds a new name for ‘proof’.
· Why is this commented on with “great relief”
· Comment on the stage direction “great glee”
· Why do you think Miller called this act an “overture”?
The call for irons brings the action into the community.
These are very important in The Crucible. Not only do they help us visualise what is happening but they also tell us about characters, themes, and historical background.
Characters are described on first entry eg
Abigail has “an endless capacity for dissembling”
Mrs. Putnam is described as a “death-ridden woman”
In addition, Miller periodically adds short essays for those reading the play.
ACT 1
There is a claustrophobic atmosphere in the small upstairs room. The smallness of the room in Parris’ house symbolises the narrow-mindedness of the community and, as a setting for different emotions let loose, helps to intensify the effect.
The scene is charged with fear, guilt, hate and envy.
There are many entrances and exits, which creates activity and the idea of the crucible as a melting pot- basic elements are mixed, heated to the point of an explosive force.
All the main characters make an appearance, except Danforth and Elizabeth. Nevertheless, the latter is introduced.
· How does Miller do this?
· Why do you think he does this?
Many petty disputes and animosities are shown which are important to an understanding of character motivations.
· Find at least one example.
The play opens in springtime.
· Traditionally, what does this time symbolise?
· Why does it seem ironic for sunlight to be streaming through the window?
COMMENT ON:
The Reverend Parris “prays”.
· Who for?
· Compare to Hale’s prayer at the end. How are they contrasted?
The Reverend Parris “weeps”. This shows confusion, a lack of strong personal convictions.
Tituba asks after Betty. This illustrates violence for the first time, verbal and physical.
· Examine the difference between Parris’ prayers to God and to Betty.
· Find examples of Parris’ growing self-centredness.
Parris questions Abigail about her name; this is the first reference of the kind. Abigail resents the fact that her name (her character) is being compromised.
· Do you think that she truly believes “There be no blush.”
· Identify how quickly Abigail’s defence becomes an attack.
The arrival of the Putnam’s signal an intensification of pressure on Parris, increases the threat to his security.
· Why do you think Parris does not tell the truth about what he knows happens?
· Examine the confrontation between Abigail and John.
(Note that in each Act, John is involved in emotionally charged scenes with women: Abigail in 1 & 3 and Elizabeth in 2 & 4.)
The first naming of another with malicious intent comes from Putnam.
Abigail “is enraptured, as though in a pearly light.”
· Is this true? Is she pretending?
She reaffirms what Tituba said, adds a new name for ‘proof’.
· Why is this commented on with “great relief”
· Comment on the stage direction “great glee”
· Why do you think Miller called this act an “overture”?
The call for irons brings the action into the community.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
I need your help!!
It has become apparent that you guys are using the blog a lot and taking a varying amount of advice and use from it. I am currently looking at setting up a website for the whole department, for all year groups and parents to use. I am turning to you guys for some advice here. If you were going to use a website, not just this class blog, what would you like to see on there?
Try to think about you experiences of the English department since S1 and think about what information you would have found useful on there. I'd also love to hear from any of you who would have an interest in helping me set this up. Perhaps you have an interest in ICT and could give me a hand. I am not always the best with technology, as I am sure you are aware, and would appreciate learning something from you for once, rather than the other way around!!! I am sure that some of you owe me by now!
Let me know you thoughts.
Try to think about you experiences of the English department since S1 and think about what information you would have found useful on there. I'd also love to hear from any of you who would have an interest in helping me set this up. Perhaps you have an interest in ICT and could give me a hand. I am not always the best with technology, as I am sure you are aware, and would appreciate learning something from you for once, rather than the other way around!!! I am sure that some of you owe me by now!
Let me know you thoughts.
Spec. Study NAB
Just wanted to let you know that I have decided to change the date of the Specialist Study NAB from Tuesday 28th November to Tuesday 5th December. You have an extra week to work on it and to speak to me if you need to.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Colons, Semi-Colons and Dashes
A colon usually introduces a quotation a list or an explanation or expansion of the previous statement.
A semi-colon is generally a "finishing" pause, marking the end of a sentence but less firmly than a full stop does. It often comes between two statements which are closely connected, or which balance or contrast one another. it may also be used to seperate a list of phrases.
A single dash can be used to add on an extra piece of information very much as a colon does. it can also be used to indicate a breaking off in a sentence. A series of dashes might be used informally to convey an outpouring of ideas or emotions.
Two dashes can mark off an extra, non-essential piece of information in the middle of a sentence - a technique known as parenthesis.
A semi-colon is generally a "finishing" pause, marking the end of a sentence but less firmly than a full stop does. It often comes between two statements which are closely connected, or which balance or contrast one another. it may also be used to seperate a list of phrases.
A single dash can be used to add on an extra piece of information very much as a colon does. it can also be used to indicate a breaking off in a sentence. A series of dashes might be used informally to convey an outpouring of ideas or emotions.
Two dashes can mark off an extra, non-essential piece of information in the middle of a sentence - a technique known as parenthesis.
Checklist for Tackling Sentence Structure Questions
Think about the following when examining sentence structure questions:
* can you identify the type of sentence: statement, question, exclamation, command, minor sentence?
* does the writer use rhetorical questions?
* how is punctuation used to divide up the sentence?
* do you notice anything about the order of the words: inversion? climax? anti-climax?
* is there an element of balance between different parts of the sentence?
* does the author vary the lengths of his/her sentences?
* is parenthesis used?
* can you identify the type of sentence: statement, question, exclamation, command, minor sentence?
* does the writer use rhetorical questions?
* how is punctuation used to divide up the sentence?
* do you notice anything about the order of the words: inversion? climax? anti-climax?
* is there an element of balance between different parts of the sentence?
* does the author vary the lengths of his/her sentences?
* is parenthesis used?
Sentence Analysis
This is a reminder as I am fed up going over this!!!
Sentence = Subject (who or what the sentence is about) + Predicate (Verb and object)
There are three types of sentence to be aware of:
A simple sentence (one subject and verb) can also be called a main clause.
For example: The girl ran for the bus.
A Compound sentence is made up of more than one main clause joined together with conjunctions.
For example: The girl ran for the bus but she missed it so she was late for work.
A Complex sentence is made up of at least one main clause and one or more subordinate clause. (A subordinate clause is a phrase which when removed from the rest of the sentence makes no sense on its own. It relies onthe main clause.)
For example: Because it needed food for its cubs, the lion killed the zebra.
Here you can see that the first part of the sentence only makes sesnse when the second part is added.
Sentence = Subject (who or what the sentence is about) + Predicate (Verb and object)
There are three types of sentence to be aware of:
A simple sentence (one subject and verb) can also be called a main clause.
For example: The girl ran for the bus.
A Compound sentence is made up of more than one main clause joined together with conjunctions.
For example: The girl ran for the bus but she missed it so she was late for work.
A Complex sentence is made up of at least one main clause and one or more subordinate clause. (A subordinate clause is a phrase which when removed from the rest of the sentence makes no sense on its own. It relies onthe main clause.)
For example: Because it needed food for its cubs, the lion killed the zebra.
Here you can see that the first part of the sentence only makes sesnse when the second part is added.
At last! The post we were all waiting for...
Hey you guys, guess who's got high anxiety? Lol, sorry this is so late, my stupid father's computer wouldn't let me on, this is the first chance I had :( sorry...
lucy xx
‘The Buddha of Suburbia’ - Hanif Kureishi
Specialist Study
‘The Buddha of Suburbia’ is the first novel by Indian writer Hanif Kureishi, which deals with a mixed race protagonist named Karim Amir and his life and relationships. Karim defines himself as having “emerged from two old histories” and he also refers to himself as “an englishman born and bred...almost”. But how does Kureishi use setting and character to show that Karim has an almost undefined personality when he is not in a relationship? To show the difficulties that Karim has in coming to terms with his own identity one can study the plot, setting, and characterisation. Karim has a very mixed up racial identity, calling himself “an englishman born and bred...almost”. His nickname is Creamy, because his mixed parentage of an Indian father and a British mother has left him with a different skin colour to all of his friends and relatives. He is neither Indian or British in his own mind, he is just Karim. His end character is very different to the character he portrays at the start of the novel, this is mainly due to the fact he has grown up and is finally seeing the world as it is, not how it should be. Karim has many sexual encounters with both men and women, starting with the relationship he has with Charlie. Charlie is characterised by Kureishi as a heart breaker, as he neglects Karim, “neither [phoning] since [their] last love making nor [bothering] to turn up.” Charlie’s only goal in life is to become a famous rock star. He succeeds in this and ends up moving to New York with his punk band under the pseudonym Charlie Zero. Charlie often tells Karim what to wear, while his mother tells Karim what to listen to. Karim’s relationship is based upon love on Karim's part and greed on Charlie’s part. Charlie believes deeply in the teachings of Karim’s father Haroon and so to get closer to that power he sleeps with Karim. There is no real care about Charlie. He is willing to let Karim touch his penis, but turns his own face away when Karim goes to kiss him. This may be Charlie trying to compensate as he knows what they are doing is seen as wrong, but he has his eyes shut so perhaps this makes everything all right. And with his eyes shut, it does not have to be Karim making him aroused, it could be anyone. in that way Charlie does what he has to to get where he needs to be, but he does not have to take notice of what is going on.
Karim’s relationship with Eleanor is totally different. Karim feels he is trapped by the ghost of Eleanor’s past lovers and almost wishes he had not embarked in this relationship. Eleanor loves Karim, but you get the feeling this is because he is so different to everything she has known before. She does not love him in the conventional sense, but in her own way.
Karim finally settles on a career about half way through the book, which happens to be as an actor. This is an odd choice as in most Indian families it is seen as a disgrace that ones son or daughter would be an actor/actress. But perhaps Karim felt it was justified as he is not Indian, but Indo-British and also because his father has become so much a character of himself, and also had an affair, that shame has already been brought upon their family and there is nothing to do but make it worse. While working as an actor he is asked to play “ethnic” roles, to fake a broad Indian accent and be authentically Indian, although he has never been to India. His director Shadwell is forever reminding him that he has “been cast for authenticity and not for experience”.
Over all this novel deals with the harder aspects of everyone’s teenage years, while introducing the concept of how to come to terms with sexuality, heritage and personality.
Kureishi suggests it’s ok to make mistakes, so long as we can aknowledge the fact they have been made.
lucy xx
‘The Buddha of Suburbia’ - Hanif Kureishi
Specialist Study
‘The Buddha of Suburbia’ is the first novel by Indian writer Hanif Kureishi, which deals with a mixed race protagonist named Karim Amir and his life and relationships. Karim defines himself as having “emerged from two old histories” and he also refers to himself as “an englishman born and bred...almost”. But how does Kureishi use setting and character to show that Karim has an almost undefined personality when he is not in a relationship? To show the difficulties that Karim has in coming to terms with his own identity one can study the plot, setting, and characterisation. Karim has a very mixed up racial identity, calling himself “an englishman born and bred...almost”. His nickname is Creamy, because his mixed parentage of an Indian father and a British mother has left him with a different skin colour to all of his friends and relatives. He is neither Indian or British in his own mind, he is just Karim. His end character is very different to the character he portrays at the start of the novel, this is mainly due to the fact he has grown up and is finally seeing the world as it is, not how it should be. Karim has many sexual encounters with both men and women, starting with the relationship he has with Charlie. Charlie is characterised by Kureishi as a heart breaker, as he neglects Karim, “neither [phoning] since [their] last love making nor [bothering] to turn up.” Charlie’s only goal in life is to become a famous rock star. He succeeds in this and ends up moving to New York with his punk band under the pseudonym Charlie Zero. Charlie often tells Karim what to wear, while his mother tells Karim what to listen to. Karim’s relationship is based upon love on Karim's part and greed on Charlie’s part. Charlie believes deeply in the teachings of Karim’s father Haroon and so to get closer to that power he sleeps with Karim. There is no real care about Charlie. He is willing to let Karim touch his penis, but turns his own face away when Karim goes to kiss him. This may be Charlie trying to compensate as he knows what they are doing is seen as wrong, but he has his eyes shut so perhaps this makes everything all right. And with his eyes shut, it does not have to be Karim making him aroused, it could be anyone. in that way Charlie does what he has to to get where he needs to be, but he does not have to take notice of what is going on.
Karim’s relationship with Eleanor is totally different. Karim feels he is trapped by the ghost of Eleanor’s past lovers and almost wishes he had not embarked in this relationship. Eleanor loves Karim, but you get the feeling this is because he is so different to everything she has known before. She does not love him in the conventional sense, but in her own way.
Karim finally settles on a career about half way through the book, which happens to be as an actor. This is an odd choice as in most Indian families it is seen as a disgrace that ones son or daughter would be an actor/actress. But perhaps Karim felt it was justified as he is not Indian, but Indo-British and also because his father has become so much a character of himself, and also had an affair, that shame has already been brought upon their family and there is nothing to do but make it worse. While working as an actor he is asked to play “ethnic” roles, to fake a broad Indian accent and be authentically Indian, although he has never been to India. His director Shadwell is forever reminding him that he has “been cast for authenticity and not for experience”.
Over all this novel deals with the harder aspects of everyone’s teenage years, while introducing the concept of how to come to terms with sexuality, heritage and personality.
Kureishi suggests it’s ok to make mistakes, so long as we can aknowledge the fact they have been made.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Scott's Redraft - Sorry It's Very Late
“Complicity” By Iain Banks
Statement of Intent
The novel “Complicity” by Iain Banks has a definite turning point and decisive moment.
This study will describe what happens at this point and will explain why this is so integral to the plot.
This study will refer to the characterisation, setting and plot building up to this moment.
“Complicity” tells the story of Edinburgh journalist, Cameron Colley and the situation he finds himself in, when what he thinks is a lead for a “juicy” article turns out to be part of a plot to frame him for a series of murders. An anonymous informant sends Cameron all over the country on various pretexts and calls him at pay phones with the next piece of information on the supposed “scoop”. The locations are actually the perfect cover for the real serial killer to put Cameron in the right place at the right time to look suspicious. Cameron is actually completely innocent but so much evidence is stacked against him that he is arrested and questioned. He realises that whoever is framing him has access to a lot of information about his present and his past which narrows the field. For example there is a note in his handwriting at one of the murder scenes and many of the victims were featured in an article produced by Cameron that was very much against them and what they stood for. “Introduce a real avenger…Somebody who’ll give people like James Anderton, Judge Jamieson and Sir Toby Bissett a taste of their own medicine” Two more victims are mentioned in this article and it begins to read like a hit list. Cameron wracks his brain and finally realises his childhood friend Andy is behind the murders. The reason Andy is never suspected before is because Banks “tricks” the reader into believing he is dead. This is because a man is described being murdered in Andy’s bed, in Andy’s house and then set on fire. The body is so badly mutilated that it is never identified but he is believed to be dead by both Cameron and the police, thus eliminating him as a suspect. This is the turning point on which this study will focus.
Banks uses two narratives within the novel. A first person narrative is used for Cameron’s side of the story, where he is the narrator. A second person narrative is used for the section describing the gruesome murders taking place, for example “You took the gun out once, reaching under your thin canvas jacket”. This narrative is very unusual and rarely used. The main reason for using it is that it brings the reader closer to the text, almost making the reader a character in the novel. This narrative structure also makes the reader feel guilty because it’s as if they are murdering the people. The second person narrative is what allows the turning point to come so unexpectedly because the reader sees the man murdered in Andy’s bed and as the reader has no idea who the murderer is, automatically assumes Andy is dead. “The hotel is dark and very quiet” “The snooker room is waterlogged”. These two quotes both automatically remind the reader of Andy’s damp and dingey hotel. “You bring the log down with all your might. It hits his head but you don’t hear the noise it makes because you cry out at the same time, as though it’s you in the bed.” The statement “as though it’s you in the bed” is very ironic because it’s supposed to be Andy in the bed. This moment sees the whole book turned round as it now becomes a hunt for Andy, before he strikes again. This keeps the reader in suspense to see if Andy is eventually caught.
The characters are portrayed through their thoughts, dialogue and actions. Cameron has a delusional view of his childhood and sees it as an almost idyllic period of his life. Cameron also has some very contrasting moods.
“I’m tempted to call in at the paper and pick up a copy fresh off the press” His story has made the front cover and he takes great pride in this. “It’s as bad as that television piece you did last year.” This shows his work is not always up to standard and is told to rewrite a piece. This is in contrast with the piece that made the front page as he can’t have taken pride in the article he has to rewrite.
“I dream of Strathspeld, and the long summers of my childhood passed in a trance of lazy pleasure.” He looks back on his childhood as heavenly and idyllic which contradicts the fact that Andy almost died, Andy is sexually assaulted and then preceded to murder his attacker! This is the first sign of Andy’s violent nature.
The setting is integral to the plot because Cameron is in this situation because of his locations at the time of the murders. Banks also uses descriptions to vividly set the scene throughout the book. The fact that the book is set in Scotland, especially Edinburgh, will allow Scottish readers to identify places within the text. “tour of Stockbridge by night looking for a parking place”, readers who know the area can identify with the fact that the streets are always packed with cars and that Cameron has to drive round the whole place to find a space.
“Eddie is sitting on – no; housed within – a throne of a chair, all black carved wood and buttoned red leather” This paints a vivid picture in the reader’s mind that Eddie is sitting in a very grand and imposing chair, to represent his authority as the editor of the newspaper.
“The mountaintops are smothered, black crags violent spattered marks against that blankness.” This describes the snow covered mountains with rock formations poking through as if they have had to fight their way through the snow.
While Cameron is being interrogated by the police he starts to fall apart and even starts to believe it was him who committed the murders. His frantic and distressed state is conveyed thorough repetition of word I. “I thought I was some tough cookie but I was wrong I’m just a dunked digestive baby I’m soft I’m flopping I’m disintegrating”. As this is read it seems to speed up a Cameron becomes more and more stressed. Punctuation marks have been omitted for it to read quicker and without pauses.
The plot is what makes this book so clever and enjoyable. Almost everything that happens has some significance in the case. The reader takes on the role of the detective and is given small clues to the killer’s identity throughout the novel. Allowing the reader to become involved in the text, keeps them interested throughout. It also keeps the reader looking very closely for anything that could help to reveal the murderers identity. One of the biggest clues is when Cameron has a very strange phone conversation with Andy in which Cameron phones him but Andy claims to have phoned Cameron. It turns out that Andy was murdering one of his victims and it was a recorded message that Cameron was talking to, this provided Andy with an alibi. At the end the whole plot links back together and you realise how important all the things that happen are; in relation to finding the killer’s identity.
To conclude, the novel is very unpredictable and this adds to the reader’s enjoyment as you can never be sure which way the plot will turn. Many readers will also enjoy the fact that they can take on the role of detective. Banks is also very clever in the way he ties together the plot in the end. The way Banks “tricks” the reader and turns the plot around, means the reader is kept guessing all the way through the novel.
Statement of Intent
The novel “Complicity” by Iain Banks has a definite turning point and decisive moment.
This study will describe what happens at this point and will explain why this is so integral to the plot.
This study will refer to the characterisation, setting and plot building up to this moment.
“Complicity” tells the story of Edinburgh journalist, Cameron Colley and the situation he finds himself in, when what he thinks is a lead for a “juicy” article turns out to be part of a plot to frame him for a series of murders. An anonymous informant sends Cameron all over the country on various pretexts and calls him at pay phones with the next piece of information on the supposed “scoop”. The locations are actually the perfect cover for the real serial killer to put Cameron in the right place at the right time to look suspicious. Cameron is actually completely innocent but so much evidence is stacked against him that he is arrested and questioned. He realises that whoever is framing him has access to a lot of information about his present and his past which narrows the field. For example there is a note in his handwriting at one of the murder scenes and many of the victims were featured in an article produced by Cameron that was very much against them and what they stood for. “Introduce a real avenger…Somebody who’ll give people like James Anderton, Judge Jamieson and Sir Toby Bissett a taste of their own medicine” Two more victims are mentioned in this article and it begins to read like a hit list. Cameron wracks his brain and finally realises his childhood friend Andy is behind the murders. The reason Andy is never suspected before is because Banks “tricks” the reader into believing he is dead. This is because a man is described being murdered in Andy’s bed, in Andy’s house and then set on fire. The body is so badly mutilated that it is never identified but he is believed to be dead by both Cameron and the police, thus eliminating him as a suspect. This is the turning point on which this study will focus.
Banks uses two narratives within the novel. A first person narrative is used for Cameron’s side of the story, where he is the narrator. A second person narrative is used for the section describing the gruesome murders taking place, for example “You took the gun out once, reaching under your thin canvas jacket”. This narrative is very unusual and rarely used. The main reason for using it is that it brings the reader closer to the text, almost making the reader a character in the novel. This narrative structure also makes the reader feel guilty because it’s as if they are murdering the people. The second person narrative is what allows the turning point to come so unexpectedly because the reader sees the man murdered in Andy’s bed and as the reader has no idea who the murderer is, automatically assumes Andy is dead. “The hotel is dark and very quiet” “The snooker room is waterlogged”. These two quotes both automatically remind the reader of Andy’s damp and dingey hotel. “You bring the log down with all your might. It hits his head but you don’t hear the noise it makes because you cry out at the same time, as though it’s you in the bed.” The statement “as though it’s you in the bed” is very ironic because it’s supposed to be Andy in the bed. This moment sees the whole book turned round as it now becomes a hunt for Andy, before he strikes again. This keeps the reader in suspense to see if Andy is eventually caught.
The characters are portrayed through their thoughts, dialogue and actions. Cameron has a delusional view of his childhood and sees it as an almost idyllic period of his life. Cameron also has some very contrasting moods.
“I’m tempted to call in at the paper and pick up a copy fresh off the press” His story has made the front cover and he takes great pride in this. “It’s as bad as that television piece you did last year.” This shows his work is not always up to standard and is told to rewrite a piece. This is in contrast with the piece that made the front page as he can’t have taken pride in the article he has to rewrite.
“I dream of Strathspeld, and the long summers of my childhood passed in a trance of lazy pleasure.” He looks back on his childhood as heavenly and idyllic which contradicts the fact that Andy almost died, Andy is sexually assaulted and then preceded to murder his attacker! This is the first sign of Andy’s violent nature.
The setting is integral to the plot because Cameron is in this situation because of his locations at the time of the murders. Banks also uses descriptions to vividly set the scene throughout the book. The fact that the book is set in Scotland, especially Edinburgh, will allow Scottish readers to identify places within the text. “tour of Stockbridge by night looking for a parking place”, readers who know the area can identify with the fact that the streets are always packed with cars and that Cameron has to drive round the whole place to find a space.
“Eddie is sitting on – no; housed within – a throne of a chair, all black carved wood and buttoned red leather” This paints a vivid picture in the reader’s mind that Eddie is sitting in a very grand and imposing chair, to represent his authority as the editor of the newspaper.
“The mountaintops are smothered, black crags violent spattered marks against that blankness.” This describes the snow covered mountains with rock formations poking through as if they have had to fight their way through the snow.
While Cameron is being interrogated by the police he starts to fall apart and even starts to believe it was him who committed the murders. His frantic and distressed state is conveyed thorough repetition of word I. “I thought I was some tough cookie but I was wrong I’m just a dunked digestive baby I’m soft I’m flopping I’m disintegrating”. As this is read it seems to speed up a Cameron becomes more and more stressed. Punctuation marks have been omitted for it to read quicker and without pauses.
The plot is what makes this book so clever and enjoyable. Almost everything that happens has some significance in the case. The reader takes on the role of the detective and is given small clues to the killer’s identity throughout the novel. Allowing the reader to become involved in the text, keeps them interested throughout. It also keeps the reader looking very closely for anything that could help to reveal the murderers identity. One of the biggest clues is when Cameron has a very strange phone conversation with Andy in which Cameron phones him but Andy claims to have phoned Cameron. It turns out that Andy was murdering one of his victims and it was a recorded message that Cameron was talking to, this provided Andy with an alibi. At the end the whole plot links back together and you realise how important all the things that happen are; in relation to finding the killer’s identity.
To conclude, the novel is very unpredictable and this adds to the reader’s enjoyment as you can never be sure which way the plot will turn. Many readers will also enjoy the fact that they can take on the role of detective. Banks is also very clever in the way he ties together the plot in the end. The way Banks “tricks” the reader and turns the plot around, means the reader is kept guessing all the way through the novel.
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