Thursday, October 17, 2019
The Crucible by Arthur Miller Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
The Crucible by Arthur Miller - Coursework Example The Crucible is known as a parable, this mean there can be a direct link made between the events of the 17th Century witch trials, to the Communist ââ¬Ëwith huntsââ¬â¢ in the United States that occurred at the time Miller wrote the play. The first US production of The Crucible occurred in January 1953, this was a time of the Red Scare where Senator John McCarthy made false allegations of Communism against various people, this particularly affected people in the Arts and film industry who were know to hold more Leftist views. Miller comments that the propaganda of McCarthyism, the Red Scare and Communism ââ¬Å"from the far Right was capable of creating not only a terror, but a new subjective realityâ⬠(39). Miller speaks of himself being astounded within the McCarthy era by how fear, an ââ¬Å"interior and subjective an emotion could have been so manifestly created from withoutâ⬠(40). Miller describes John Proctor as intelligent, physically strong, rationale and stab le. With particular reference to his state of mind heââ¬â¢s described as ââ¬Å"even temperedâ⬠with a ââ¬Å"steady mannerâ⬠(239). Yet, despite this outward appearance there is a sense of him feeling hypocritical from having sinned, and it is said that he ââ¬Å"has come to regard himself as a kind of fraud.â⬠(239). He is shown as determined to put an end to any previous relationships with Abigail in a polite but determined manner, this is indicated by the stage directions, ââ¬Å"PROCTOR, gently pressing her from him, with great sympathy but firmlyâ⬠(241). Proctorââ¬â¢s guilt for being disloyal to Elizabeth is show by anger when Abigail mentions her. Proctor is shown to be a rationale man who doesnââ¬â¢t believe in all the nonsense about devils and heââ¬â¢s a person who speaks his mind: ââ¬Å"I may speak my heart, I thinkâ⬠(246). Proctorââ¬â¢s relationship with Elizabeth is awkward, they initially make formal small-talk about food and w ork, but there is evident strain in their relationship, evident when he says to her ââ¬Å"I mean to please youâ⬠and she finds it difficult to acknowledge ââ¬Å"I know it Johnâ⬠(262). When he kisses her she is disappointed. There is a sense of duty perceived from Elizabeth as she performs her housewife role, and an expectation from Proctor. As their conversation turns more argumentative, Proctor is described as ââ¬Å"Angry and Stubbornâ⬠whilst Elizabeth is ââ¬Å"quietâ⬠¦coldâ⬠¦and lost all faithâ⬠(264). Elizabeth is still suspicious of Proctor, whilst he is fed up feeling guilty and judged by her. Proctor learns that the total accused women has increased form 14 ââ¬â 39 and that one of the ladies has been sentenced to hang. It is indicated that Elizabethââ¬â¢s name was mentioned too. He finds the whole accusations ridiculous when good honest religious women are accused, and elderly women too. As the scene progresses and he is tested on the c ommandments ââ¬â he begins to take the threat more seriously. When Proctor is talking to Hale about the girlsââ¬â¢ lies he says: ââ¬Å"There are them that will swear to anything before theyââ¬â¢ll hangâ⬠(275). He thinks if Hale does not believe him, that others in court may not too. When Cheever arrives with a warrant for Elizabeth and mentions the poppet, Mary is summoned. Proctorââ¬â¢
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