Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you In this act, we learn more details about the accused that paint a clearer picture of the influence of reputation and social standing on the patterns of accusations. All rights reserved. Examples Of Hypocrisy In The Crucible - Term Paper - TermPaper Warehouse One flaw that can always be found in society and the Crucible is hypocrisy. A Comprehensive Guide. Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. Essay about Human Flaws in Arthur Miller's The Crucible Hypocrisy is just one of many personality traits along many spectrums. Recall that hypocrisy is when someone's actions don't match up with the professed values. In this act, we learn more details about the accused that paint a clearer picture of the influence of reputation and social standing on the patterns of accusations. Danforth is convinced that there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country! and anyone who doubts the decisions of the court is potentially involved. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. Where before she was just an orphaned teenager, now, in the midst of the trials, she becomes the main witness to the inner workings of a Satanic plot. Abigails power skyrockets as the hysteria grows more severe. How is Millers underlying message revealed in one of these themes and through the character?". Act 4 is Danforths turn to shine in the irony department. Miller wrote it as an allegory to the Red Scare, the promotion of fear of a potential rise of communism. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. Her jealousy of Elizabeth Proctors position as Johns wife has led her to attempted murder, first by the charm in the woods and now by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft. 133). Danforth, who has the most authority, is also the most sold on her act, and it only takes a few screams to persuade him that hes in the presence of witchcraft. Why is Cory arrested? She believed she had seen spirits earlier because she was caught up in the delusions of those around her. Arthur Miller portrays the protagonist, Proctor, as the tragic hero of his play The Crucible. Create your account, 7 chapters | This means that much of the population that remains is comprised of the power-hungry, the selfish, and the cowardly. This confess or die mindset is one of the central ironies of the play. He is completely oblivious to the fact that the victims might be lying. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is set in Salem in a Puritan community. Believer, Baltimore City IEP Chair, and 2:39 marathon runner. He's already accepted her testimony as evidence, so he is happy for any excuse to believe her over John and Mary.John finally comes to the realization that Mary's truthful testimony cannot compete with the hysteria that has taken hold of the court. Here are a few questions related to this theme that you can use to test your grasp of irony and its significance as a theme in The Crucible: Hale wrongly assumes that his academic mindset will save him from jumping to the wrong conclusions in the witchcraft investigation. The ruthlessness with which the suspected witches are treated is aimed at purifying Salem, but it achieves the opposite outcome. The Judge forcing people to lie to save their lives he cant see the wrong hes doing. Being in contact with someone else means mediating between ourselves and the other. Many villagers, especially Abigail . Proctor, a score of people have already testified they saw [Rebecca Nurse] with the Devil (pg. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. references the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. Download it for free now: hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '688715d6-bf92-47d7-8526-4c53d1f5fe7d', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '03a85984-6dfd-4a19-93c8-5f46091f5e2b', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Samantha is a blog content writer for PrepScholar. The hysterical atmosphere and the dramatic performances of some of the accusers cause people to believe they have seen genuine proof of witchcraft. She is a sensible, saintly old woman who chooses to martyr herself rather than lie and confess to witchcraft. 67). In telling people they must confess to their crimes or be hanged, the officials show that they have already decided the person is guilty no matter what evidence is provided in their defense. Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. People in power continue to believe the accusers out of fear for their own safety, taking the hysteria to a point where no one is above condemnation. 130). The Devil is precise.'' When this fallacy is used, the unrealistic characteristic is undesirable, causing the other person to look bad. Danforth insists that John must know more about the Devil's dealings than he has revealed. When Hale asks him to recite his commandments, the only one he forgets is adultery. The irony is that, in the face of Johns rejection, Abigail turns around and creates her own lies soon after that give her increased control over the society she resents. Demosthenes made fun of Aeschines, a famous Greek politician who was also an actor, basically . Why does John decide to ruin his reputation in Act 3 by confessing to the affair? These types of statements made by Hale earlier in the play become even more ironic in Act 4 when he realizes he made a horrible mistake by trusting the evidence that was presented to him. John Proctor sabotages his own reputation in Act 3 after realizing it's the only way he can discredit Abigail. Hysteria blinds the people of Salem to reason as they become convinced that there is a grand Satanic plot brewing in town, and they must not hesitate to condemn anyone who could be involved. Elizabeth doesnt realize that John is willing to sacrifice his reputation to save her life. The evolution of his character is due to vairous . Both Hale and Proctor don't want to live with the consequences of their mistakes, so they try to ignore or undo their past actions. When the petition testifying to the good character of the accused women is presented, the reaction from Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris is to arrest the people who signed it rather than considering that this might indicate that the women are innocent. Hales involvement is taken to mean that there must be a supernatural element to Bettys illness. In this environment, whoever yells the loudest seems to get the most credibility. The hypocrisy in this statement is almost funny. The Crucible presents a view of women that essentially reduces them to caricatures of human beings that are defined by their roles as mothers, wives, and servants to men. Upon arriving in the court Mary Warren says, I cannot lie no more. Reverend Parris' concerns about his reputation are immediately evident in Act 1. Why does Mary Warren warn John about testifying against Abigail? While it does provide an entertaining experience at face value, the true literary genius behind the work is Miller's . Choose a single character and discuss how this person embodies one of the themes. In the next few sections,I'll take a look at a group of broad themes inThe Crucible, including irony, hysteria, reputation, and power. I have not seen a single politician who isnt a hypocrite. Themes can be expressed in many different ways. However, this runs up against Danforths desire to preserve his reputation as a strong judge. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. How do the witch trials empower individuals who were previously powerless? Danforth also acts out of concern for his reputations here. Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. A real example of irony would be if two married guests got into a fight about going to your wedding that ended in their divorce. succeed. By the end of class, you should be able to: Identify basic elements of McCarthyism, including the following terms: Read on for an overview of what a theme is, a list of important themes in The Crucible with specific act-by-act details, and a summary of how to use this information in your essays and other assignments. Other essay questions may not ask you directly about the themes listed in this article, but that doesn't mean that the themes are irrelevant to your writing. As Reverend Hale says to Danforth, Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots cry will end his life - and you wonder yet if rebellions spoke? (Act 4, pg. Arthur Miller's 1953 play, ''The Crucible,'' features hypocrisy as a recurrent theme. Mary Warrens sense of self-importance has increased as a result of the perceived value of her participation in court. Thomas Putnam who has grudges against the people of Salem, and Abigail is a shameless liar who leads the accusations against the people of Salem. He insists,I am not empowered to trade your life for a lie (pg. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? In one of the most well-known quotes in the play, John Proctor angrily insists that the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom (pg. As Reverend Hale says to Danforth, Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots cry will end his life - and you wonder yet if rebellions spoke? (Act 4, pg. By Act 4, many of the power structures that were firmly in place earlier in the play have disintegrated. In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar. . She openly threatens Danforth for even entertaining Mary and John's accusations of fraud against her. This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. Though Danforth is the most powerful official figure in court, Abigail manipulates him easily with her performance as a victim of witchcraft. Arthur Miller pokes fun at this in his commentary in the play and explains his intentions to the audience. "She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris's house tonight, and without word nor warnin' she falls to the floor. Later in Act 4, Danforth becomes angry at the implication that Johns confession may not be the truth. The other two main female characters, Elizabeth and Mary Warren, are somewhat bland. While touting his holy credentials, he claims that he dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of my conscience may doubt it (pg. John Proctor is the tragic hero because he is loving, loyal, authoritative, but his tragic flaw is his . 44) but realizes that her word against Abigail will not stand. The Hypocrisy Of Characters In The Crucible - Edubirdie His guilt leads to great tension in interactions with Elizabeth because he projects his feelings onto her, accusing her of being judgmental and dwelling on his mistakes. If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. In reality, he is constantly judging himself, and this leads to outbursts of anger against others who remind him of what he did (he already feels guilty enough!). Hereferences the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. Reverend Hale enters as a specialist from Boston who has seen the effects that witchcraft has had on others. Examples Of Character Flaws In The Crucible - StudyMode Though actions are often motivated by fear and desires for power and revenge, they are also propped up by underlying worries about how a loss of reputation will negatively affect characters' lives. Its easy for more respectable citizens to accept that shes in league with the Devil because she is an "other" in Salem, just like Tituba. In the case of a play like The Crucible, themes are revealed mainly through the dialogue of the characters. Parris begs Danforth to postpone their hangings because he fears for his life if the executions proceed as planned. This vicious cycle continues to claim the lives of more and more people as the play progresses. Compare and contrast three authority figures in this drama: Hale, Danforth, and Parris. Thomas Putnam tells him to Wait for no one to charge you - declare it yourself.. Hypocrisy, actually, didn't have a bad meaning until hypocrisy met politics in the 4th century B.C. The play takes place in the city of Salem, a city filled with people that would do anything to keep their reputation clean. Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. People could not take another's land unless it was left to them in a will; however, if someone were to be executed for a crime, that land belonged to the state and could be re-distributed. Miller fills us in on much of the history in breaks in the play where he offers commentary in his own voice. So, she decides to manipulate the situation by saying that the Devil has come to her and she has resisted his commands to kill Mr. Parris. This makes him particularly averse to accepting that he's been fooled by a teenage girl. An ad hominem means that it shifts the argument away from the issue to a personal attack on the person involved. Danforth is the governor of Massachusetts who thinks of himself as a fair man. In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. 50). To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. 22). The accused people of Salem are all innocent and have nothing to do with neither witchcraft nor convening with the devil. The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. This lie essentially condemns both of them. Even with prompts that ask you to discuss a specific character or plot point, you can find ways to connect your answer to major themes. Hypocrisy is not simply failing to practice those virtues that one preaches, or known as saying one thing but doing another. They so fear the devilish consequences of challenging the accusers that theyre willing to take them at their word and ignore any defenses the accused have to offer. By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. 61). John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. The fear caused by the thought of supernatural evil in Salem causes the characters in the play to turn a blind eye to logic and instead believe in claims not backed by actual "hard as rock" proof. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the setting is Salem, Massachusetts during the late 1600s where the towns pious Puritan beliefs directly influence their government. He chooses to die instead of providing a false confession because he doesnt think life will be worth living after he is so disgraced. He appears to have no governing system of morality. First off, what is irony? Abigails many deceptions are sometimes laughably ironic as she chastises others for lying even as she is spinning falsehoods. Danforth makes a shocking argument defending the way the trials have been conducted, insisting that only the victims testimony can serve as reliable evidence in this type of trial. Elizabeth is a victim of cruel irony in this Act when she is summoned to testify on the reasons why she dismissed Abigail from her household. . What makes Danforth so unwilling to consider that the girls could be pretending? builds quickly as accusations of witchcraft proliferate throughout Salem. "(3-84), since Danforth is in power for being the judge he thinks that everyone else is ignorant and not being equal as him. Abigail accuses Tituba first because Tituba is the one person below her on the ladder of power, so she makes an easy scapegoat. He is weak and vulnerable after Abigail's theft of his life's savings, and hes even facing death threats from the townspeople as a result of John and Rebecca's imminent executions. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. Her jealousy of Elizabeth Proctors position as Johns wife has led her to attempted murder, first by the charm in the woods and now by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft. Proctor changes from a normal citizen and sinner to a tragic hero with a high sense of morality. Flaws in Human Reasoning Create a Tragic Figure One tragedy is a result of numerous conflicts and wrongdoings. The girls are essentially given permission by authority figures to continue their act because they are made to feel special and important for their participation. Greed is a sin in the Puritan religion, so the people who supported the accusations were indeed hypocrites. Even Judge Danforth, supposedly a reliable source of justice and solidity, goes against what he knows to be true by forcing those arrested to either confess to crimes they did not commit or face the gallows, all to save his name and prevent it from looking like he had hanged innocent people. While I speak Gods law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering (pg. Is hypocrisy a natural human flaw? - myLot When she is brought in for questioning and claims to see Marys familiar spirit, she says Envy is a deadly sin, Mary.Abigail herself has acted out of envy for the entire play. Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. Parris initially insists that there are no unnatural causes for Bettys illness because he fears that he will lose favor with the townspeople if witchcraft is discovered under his roof. While touting his holy credentials, he claims that he dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of my conscience may doubt it (pg. Hale tries to combat his guilt by persuading the prisoners to confess, refusing to accept that the damage has already been done. Rebecca Nurse's accusation further demonstrates the hypocrisy in the play. What are some of the factors that feed the panic and suspicion in Salem, and why are. This is especially true with the reputation and hysteria themes. Why doesnt John immediately tell the court that he knows Abigail is faking? Throughout the play, Miller uses the Salem Witch trials as a catalyst for Proctor's crucial development. The Crucible Themes Flashcards | Quizlet Furthermore, this is destructive influence because by telling Elizabeth to tell Proctor to lie, this adds upon his sins. She puts on a fake front to get what she wants, ultimately creating a persona thats even worse than that of the hypocrites she criticizes. The main display of Abby's hypocrisy is her incessant accusations of the accused as being unholy, God-damned and doing the Devils work. Elizabeth is a victim of cruel irony in this Act when she is summoned to testify on the reasons why she dismissed Abigail from her household. Ironically, he is the first to demand a confession from Tituba based on Abigail's dramatic but false testimony. He is completely oblivious to the fact that the victims might be lying. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. A 17-year-old girl named Abigail Williams had an affair with John Proctor, a wealthy, married man. This vicious cycle continues to claim the lives of more and more people as the play progresses. Irony abounds throughout The Crucibleascharacters who believe they are combating the Devils handiwork actually perform it themselves. officials (like Danforth) unable or unwilling to listen to reason? No one considers that the accusers are lying, partially because theyre seen as innocent children and partially because many witches confess to avoid the death penalty. Fear plays an immense role in the way people make their decisions, such as when the characters of Danforth and Mary Warren resort to hypocrisy when no other options remain. A constant theme through out the play is your personal reputation, maintaining a good name. The Crucible, a short play dedicated to these events in Salem shows us how hysteria was such a leading cause of why the Witch Trials had even occurred. This well-intentioned mistake seals both of their fates. Danforth continues to demonstrate the effects of hysteria in act 4 even after things have died down a bit in Salem and there have been rumblings of discontent about the courts actions. Though the Puritans believed that children were not to be taken seriously, they are later convinced by the court officials that the children are the authorities on witchcraft. Hypocrisy in "The Crucible" and Todays Society Essay Example The town suspected her of lewd dealings, so she was put to death for it. The judges cannot force her to commit herself to a lie, and her martyrdom severely damages their legitimacy and favor amongst the townspeople. The first is that she is looking to escape . His only goal is to get on the good side of the community as a whole, even in the midst of this bout of collective hysteria. The evidence used in the Salem Witch Trials further demonstrates the hypocrisy in the Puritan times. This mob mentality leads to unthoughtful acts and false accusations. Choose a single character and discuss how this person embodies one of the themes. This attitude comes from a man who has shown no remorse for condemning people to death throughout the play. This well-intentioned mistake seals both of their fates. Why do certain characters seem to be blind to the irony of their actions (Abigail, Danforth)? Danforth explains his inability to free the accused people because, twelve are already hanged for the same crime. Miller writes: ''As for Rebecca herself, the general opinion of her character was so high that to explain how anyone dared cry her out for a witchwe must look to the fields and boundaries of that time.'' They so fear the devilish consequences of challenging the accusers that theyre willing to take them at their word and ignore any defenses the accused have to offer. Reverend Parris is in a position of power as the town's spiritual leader, but he is insecure about his authority. This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. The thematic significance of hysteria builds quickly as accusations of witchcraft proliferate throughout Salem. What is the writer attempting to convey to the viewer? What the people of Salem have seen as demonic possessions of the girls is nothing more than an act of deception. I feel like its a lifeline. It is another trait we inherited from them, and it has helped to discipline us as well as to breed hypocrisy among us.'' 119). She attended church regularly and was the embodiment of how a Puritan woman should behave. Lust and pride were John Proctors tragic flaws, lust is of course, one out of the seven sins. The play is about human weakness, hypocrisy, and vindictiveness. 130). The life of such man is ruled by the desire to seek the truth and justice in all that surrounds him, including himself. Danforth wont listen to him for this reason. What Are The Human Flaws In The Crucible 1560 Words | 7 Pages. 68 lessons 73), meaning the girls are testing out the extent of the chaos they can create with their newfound power. A character named Abigail lived with proctor and his wife and his two sons. The irony is that, in the face of Johns rejection, Abigail turns around and creates her own lies soon after that give her increased control over the society she resents. How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? I am with God, I, Danforth expresses his opinions on lying when Mary Warren enter his court to confess herself and he begins the conversation by saying, How were you instructed in your life? This is taken as evidence that things are really getting out of control ("if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing's left to stop the whole green world from burning." Miller portrays Danforths characterization as stubborn, highly religious, and arrogant in order to to provide a clearer understanding. In a way,John welcomes the loss of his reputation because he feels so guilty about the disconnect between howhe is perceived by others and the sins he has committed. How do outside forces contribute to the character's flaws and eventual downfall?". Hypocrisy In Salem And The Crucible Proctor knows that unlike most of the other people who have gotten hanged, his is not completely innocent. Thus demonstrating how mob mentality can impact an individual and ultimately drive the action of the play. Reverend Hale, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. 129)He is still convinced that all the prisoners are guilty and is determined to force them to admit their guilt. South Plantation High School, one of the only schools to offer a program for the deaf, cast tradition aside to create a rendition of The Crucible that is truly one of a kind. Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. One path to higher standing and greater control would be in becoming John Proctors wife. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible 16 is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. Judge Danforth a well respected man in the society that has the supreme rule over the court. In today's society no one want to hear about something they fear, they would rather it be left alone than try to understand it. People were put to death because their neighbors suspected them of committing a crime, but murder is a sin in the Puritan religion. Of course, we know that Danforth has been trading peoples lives for lies this whole time. 71). No one thinks a teenage orphan girl is capable of such extensive deception (or delusion), so she is consistently trusted. What is the difference between dissent and disloyalty? Abigail's strength in Act I is the strength that is within her ability to influence others. Mary Warren exemplifies hypocrisy extraordinarily well in the scene when she and Proctor travel to the courthouse so she can confess that the girls have pretended everything and they never actually saw spirits. (pg. Danforth also becomes frustrated with Proctor when he wont name names in his confession: Mr. You can also read my full summary of The Crucible here for a review of exactly what happens in the plot in each act. Miller carries the theme of hypocrisy through Parris by giving the reverend a very greedy nature. In the Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play that is based of 1962 Salem Massachusetts, the site of one of the worst witch-hunts in history. Hale pg. They could either confess to being guilty and is punished and put into jail or deny any relationship with the devil and be hanged and killed. In the play there was a character by the name of John Proctor; Proctor was a family man that made a huge mistake. Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. Though Rebecca Nurse's involvement has already been corroborated by other confessors, Danforth demands to hear it from John to confirm that John is fully committed to renouncing his supposed ties to Satan. A theme is a central topic that is addressed by a work of literature. flashcard sets. There are several ironies in Act 1 that center around Abigail Williams. In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. They say not to use superstition when dealing with the Devil, who is in fact a superstition used to cover up the sinful dealings of the people. She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. In Act 1 he jumped on board with the hysteria to preserve his power, but he ended up losing what little authority he had in the first place (and, according to Miller's afterward, was voted out of office soon after the end of the play). At the end this act, John Proctor delivers a short monologue anticipating the imminent loss of the disguises of propriety worn by himself and other members of the Salem community. Take a look at this article for details on the history and thematic parallels behind this connection. Character Flaw List: 30 Intriguing Character Flaws | Now Novel Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her articles. However, this runs up against Danforths desire to preserve his reputation as a strong judge. Hypocrisy relates to The Crucible in that both Reverend Parris and Mr. Putnam are incredibly hypocritical characters. There are numerous connections between the flaws of individual characters and the overarching themes of the play that could be brought into this discussion.
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