The court refuses to challenge anyone who claims to have been afflicted. One single example is ; Corporate and political greed and desire for power is the reason for most of the suffering as claimed by many. Why is hypocrisy so common in repressive communities like Salem? Danforth also acts out of concern for his reputations here. First off, what is irony? 68 lessons This hysteria-based evidence of witchcraft includes the discovery of the poppet in the Proctor household with a needle in it. You can also read my full summary of The Crucible here for a review of exactly what happens in the plot in each act. This well-intentioned mistake seals both of their fates. Once the accusations begin, Parris initiates an ironic thought process that persists throughout The Crucible: You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba! (pg. Many people are under the impression that irony is just when something happens that you don't expect (or that you really hoped wouldn't happen). Answer (1 of 7): In that all states of mind occur due to the nature of the brain, yes, hypocrisy is natural in people with that tendency. Even before Abigail makes accusations, rumors of witchcraft have morphed into accepted truths in the minds of the more superstitious members of the community. Ask questions; get answers. The first is that she is looking to escape . Will you confess yourself with him? (pg. This quotation shows the overall theme that hypocrisy is bred from the fear and condemnation of a society. 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.'' As he says, How may I live without my name? Danforths image is extremely valuable to him, and he refuses to allow Parris concerns to disrupt his belief in the validity of his decisions. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? He believes there is a group of people in town determined to remove him from this position, and he will say and do whatever it takes to retain control. succeed. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 . Can a work of art bring about change in the world? Sure, you don't expect or want rain, but it's not the polar opposite of getting married. She continues to act under the assumption that his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, and she does not reveal the affair. By Act 4, many of the power structures that were firmly in place earlier in the play have disintegrated. Choose a single character and discuss how this person embodies one of the themes. Here are a few questions about hysteria to consider now that you've read a summary of how this theme was expressed throughout the plot of the play: Even though there is significant reason to believe Abigail is lying about Elizabeth's familiar spirit stabbing her, the frenzied investigators ignore testimony that challenges their chosen witchy narrative. Abigail distracts the judges from any rational investigation in this act by playing into this hysteria. This causes problems down the line as Parris allows his paranoia about losing his position to translate into enthusiasm for the witch hunt. How is Parris fate in act 4 ironic when considering his role in the events of the play? Abigail, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle towards more power over her situation. Hale pg. The Devil is really a superstition hiding the townspeople, who are ''precise'' in their accusations because they want land from others. 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. People were put to death because their neighbors suspected them of committing a crime, but murder is a sin in the Puritan religion. A professor tells us that he has a strict rule about cell phones in the classroom, then he answers it midway through his own lecture. How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? He claims that they must not jump to conclusions based on superstition in their investigation of Bettys affliction. The accusers cannot present concrete evidences, and their wrongful convictions must be further scrutinized. 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. These three characters can be the most to blame for the cause of the spread and start of hysteria in Salem during the Witch Trials. 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. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. 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. The turmoil in Salem is propelled forward by desires for revenge and power that have been simmering beneath the town's placid exterior. 118). This immaculate proof that has led him to sign numerous death warrants is nothing but the fabrications of teenage girls and other townspeople seeking petty revenge. Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!" There is a culture of keeping up appearances already in place, which makes it natural for people to lie about witnessing their neighbors partaking in Satanic rituals when the opportunity arises (especially if it means insulating themselves from similar accusations and even achieving personal gain). Though the play is fictional, the characters are named after real people who lived in Salem during that time. The narrator tells the audience that there is very little good to be said of him (Miller 1100), yet as a minister the people of the town look to him to be a pious religious leader. Parris begs Danforth to postpone their hangings because he fears for his life if the executions proceed as planned. The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. 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. Danforth also acts out of concern for his reputations here. 123). Always include specific details, including direct quotes, to support your argument about how the theme is expressed in the play. I will not have it said my name is soiled! Upon arriving in the court Mary Warren says, I cannot lie no more. Many of us in today's society do not believe in this; however, the Puritans really did believe that people could be vessels for the Devil. In her conversation with John, Abigail claims that he helped her realize all the lies she was told by two-faced people in Salem who only publicly adhere to the conventions of respectable society (pg. There are numerous connections between the flaws of individual characters and the overarching themes of the play that could be brought into this discussion. Reverend Hale, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. hypocrisy is a flaw in human character that can be avoided if chosen to be. The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. Though hysteria overpowered the reputations of the accused in the past two acts, in act 4 the sticking power of their original reputations becomes apparent. Why is Cheever both astonished and afraid when he finds the poppet with the needle in it? What are some of the factors that feed the panic and suspicion in Salem, and why are. Ask below and we'll reply! Abigails presence is always rife with irony in. flashcard sets. 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. Shes not a traditionally accepted target like the others (except in her susceptibility as a woman to the misogyny that runs rampant in the play). Hypocrisy is shown between the characters: Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and Hale. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. What motivates their attitudes and responses toward the witch trials? 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. Why does Mary Warren behave differently when she becomes involved in the trials? Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. As John gives his confession, Danforth says to Rebecca Nurse Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. John tells the judge to summon Elizabeth to back him up because he knows she always tells the truth. An ad hominem means that it shifts the argument away from the issue to a personal attack on the person involved. By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. The whole purpose of a trial is to hear both sides of the story before a verdict is reached. The people in charge are so eager to hold onto their power that if anyone disagrees with them in the way the trials are conducted, it is taken as a personal affront and challenge to their authority. This lie essentially condemns both of them. This leads to Marys hysterical accusation of Proctor after she finds herself targeted by the other girls and about to be consumed by the hysteria herself if she doesnt contribute to it. To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. The ruthlessness with which the suspected witches are treated is aimed at purifying Salem, but it achieves the opposite outcome. Many people are under the impression that irony is just when something happens that you don't expect (or that you really hoped wouldn't happen). John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. When she cant get John to abandon Elizabeth for her, she decides to take matters into her own hands and gain control through manipulating the fears of others. Why does Mary Warren warn John about testifying against Abigail? Arthur Miller portrays the protagonist, Proctor, as the tragic hero of his play The Crucible. He appears to have no governing system of morality. Essay prompts will ask about these themes in a variety of different ways. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. Tituba attempts to tell the truth about Abigail when she says, You beg me to conjure! All rights reserved. This fact could destroy his credibility, so he is biased towards continuing to trust Abigail. He claims that they must not jump to conclusions based on superstition in their investigation of Bettys affliction. 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. She openly threatens Danforth for even entertaining Mary and John's accusations of fraud against her. 133). Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. Thus demonstrating how mob mentality can impact an individual and ultimately drive the action of the play. Nowhere is there any consideration of ulterior motives. 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). These attributes are seen in both character, John Proctor from Arthur Millers play, The Crucible, set in Salem in the early seventeenth century and in Atticus Finch from Harper Lees novel, To Kill a Mockingbird set in New York in 1950. -Hypocrisy is the state of falsely claiming to possess virtuous characteristics that one lacks. Hale pg. Lust and pride were John Proctors tragic flaws, lust is of course, one out of the seven sins. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. I have not seen a single politician who isnt a hypocrite. Explain the irony of Hales position at the end of the play as compared to his actions at the beginning. Though Danforth is the most powerful official figure in court, Abigail manipulates him easily with her performance as a victim of witchcraft. Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. 12) The first act of The Crucibleclearly establishes the fact that a bad reputation can damage a persons position in this society severely and irreparably. The Bible that the Puritans swore to live by is not being honored when they used the trials to condemn their neighbors to death. 119). The Crucible is commonly viewed as an allegorical representation of the communist "witch hunts" conducted in the 1950s. Danforth explains his inability to free the accused people because, twelve are already hanged for the same crime. AbracaDENIAL! This well-intentioned mistake seals both of their fates. Well, it's not. It's one thing to understand the major themes in The Crucible, and it's another thing completely to write about them yourself. Being a person, from Latin persona ("mask", per and soneo - "resound") means precisely "being a mask . 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. I chose . In saying this he admits that a person can only avoid a hanging by confessing to witchcraft even if their statement contains no truth. The hypocrisy in this statement is almost funny. Hypocrisy is not simply failing to practice those virtues that one preaches, or known as saying one thing but doing another. Miller carries the theme of hypocrisy through Parris by giving the reverend a very greedy nature. Arthur Miller used this notion of hypocrisy when he wrote The Crucible to show us the theme, or underlying message, that a hypocritical society can be dangerous. Miller accomplishes this through almost, if not every character in the story. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. The main display of Abby's hypocrisy is her incessant accusations of the accused as being unholy, God-damned and doing the Devils work. 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. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. Thomas Putnam tells him to Wait for no one to charge you - declare it yourself.Parris must rush to be the first accuser so he can place himself beyond reproach. 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. Hypocrisy is just one of many personality traits along many spectrums. Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. 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. Fear plays an immense role in the way people make their decisions, such as when the characters of Danforth and Mary Warren . Not living up to our beliefs, opinions,virtues, feelings, qualities, or standards is not a hypocrisy.Hypocrisy is pretending (and lying to others) to have them when we don't. In The Crucible, they all fear witchcraft, because there is a rumor going around. 129)He is still convinced that all the prisoners are guilty and is determined to force them to admit their guilt. 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. How do the actions of authority figures encourage the girls to continue their accusations and even genuinely believe the lies theyre telling? What Is The Hypocrisy In The Crucible. The power of mass hysteria is further revealed when Mary is unable to faint outside of a charged courtroom environment. We hear a lot about hypocrisy, or when someone's actions don't match up with the professed values. Hale tries to combat his guilt by persuading the prisoners to confess, refusing to accept that the damage has already been done. Reverend Parris has fallen from his position of authority as a result of the outcomes of the trials. If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. In this case, you're asked to discuss the concept of a tragic character, explaining who fits that mold in The Crucible and why. 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. Okay, let's take a moment to review. There are several ironies in Act 1 that center around Abigail Williams. Miller's portrayal of women in The Crucible is a much-discussed topic. This hysteria-based evidence of witchcraft includes the discovery of the poppet in the Proctor household with a needle in it. Rational explanations are ground up by the drama of the rumor mill, and people see only what they want to see (whatever keeps them in the good graces of society andmakes them feel the best about themselves) in situations that don't appear to have easy explanations. The thematic significance of hysteria builds quickly as accusations of witchcraft proliferate throughout Salem. Is reputation more important than truth? But these themes aren't always easy to explain or dissect in the context of the play, and they can be even harder to develop into essays. In Salem the reason why so many women were killed was because of Mass Hysteria. "(3-84), since Danforth is in power for being the judge he thinks that everyone else is ignorant and not being equal as him. John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Hale, Reverend Paris, and Abigail are the main characters. Elizabeth notes that Mary's demeanor is now like that of the daughter of a prince (pg. MPP friends writing about life, love, and everything else in between together. Flaws in Human Reasoning Create a Tragic Figure One tragedy is a result of numerous conflicts and wrongdoings. In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. Giles Cory was expelled from court because he would not list people who signed the document about Putnam wanting to take land. The second major theme in The Crucible (and one that teachers often ask about) is fear and hysteria. Why wont Danforth hear his evidence? 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. (Cheever pg. The book is about witchcraft or what the town thinks is witchcraft. 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. In the final events of Act 4, John Proctor has a tough choice to make between losing his dignity and losing his life. The petition he presents to Danforth is used as a weapon against the signers rather than a proof of the innocence of Elizabeth, Martha, and Rebecca. Based on the background knowledge of the time, slaves were not considered part of the class system, so she was not valued as a community member. The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, is a story where many people had been accused of witchcraft and a lot of innocent victims faced a difficult decision. These hypocritical actions take away from the authority of the person or people committing them. How is Millers underlying message revealed in one of these themes and through the character?". The overall message is that. Abigail, the one character who breaks from this mold slightly, is portrayed extremely unsympathetically despite the fact that the power dynamic between her and John makes him far more culpable in their illicit relationship. John attempts to crush his guilt instead of facing it, which only ends up making it an even more destructive factor in his life. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller many people panicked from the witch hysteria which caused many to be accused of being witches, Judge Danforth decided what happens to the accused witches and is the most corrupted in Salem because his power of being a judge made him go overboard with his decisions on people. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Essay questions that ask about themes in this straightforward way can be tricky because there's a temptation to speak in vague terms about the theme's significance. Both flaws led him to delay telling the truth about Abigail's fraudulent claims and their previous relationship, thus dooming himself and many others to death or imprisonment. In the case of a play like The Crucible, themes are revealed mainly through the dialogue of the characters. Hypocrisy In Salem And The Crucible Proctor knows that unlike most of the other people who have gotten hanged, his is not completely innocent. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. Take a look at this article for details on the history and thematic parallels behind this connection. 73), meaning the girls are testing out the extent of the chaos they can create with their newfound power. In this environment, whoever yells the loudest seems to get the most credibility. This includes not only accusatory lies about the involvement of others in witchcraft but also the lies that people consistently tell about their own virtuousness and purity in such a repressive society. A man of conscience is one who is aware of his moral and ethical beliefs and judgments and one who will prefer right over wrong. 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. 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. Revenge in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Theme, Examples & Analysis, Allusion in the Crucible by Arthur Miller | Examples & Overview, Thomas Putnam in The Crucible | Character Traits, Quotes & Personality, Irony in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Overview & Examples, Abigail Williams in The Crucible | Quotes, Traits & Descriptions, The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Act 1 | Quotes, Overview & Analysis, Judge John Hathorne in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Analysis & Quotes, John Proctor in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Quotes, Analysis & Development, Reverend John Hale in the Crucible by Arthur Miller | Traits, Quotes & Analysis, Reverend Parris in The Crucible | Character Traits & Quotes, Hysteria in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Theme, Quotes & Examples, Fear in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Quotes, Examples & Analysis, Judge Danforth in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Character & Quotes, Giles Corey Character Analysis & Quotes | The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Ruth Putnam in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Character & Analysis, Symbols in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Examples & Analysis, NYSTCE English Language Arts (003): Practice and Study Guide, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Study Guide, English 103: Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, EPT: CSU English Language Arts Placement Exam, ILTS English Language Arts (207): Test Practice and Study Guide, Common Core ELA Grade 8 - Language: Standards, College English Composition: Help and Review, Create an account to start this course today. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. 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. Why does he decide to do so anyways? Here again, he is driving the point home that the villagers were greedy and seeking land, so they put some of the pillars of the community to death for their own gain. Abigail possesses a two- pronged approach in her motivation. 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. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? It's here that we see the hypocrisy of the situation. 41). Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her articles. Tituba is pressured to confess and name the names of other witches to avoid execution, which leads to Abigail and Bettys accusations, now validated by a coerced confession. 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." As said in the documents I read, the theme is "the fundamental and often universal idea of a literary artwork". A 17-year-old girl named Abigail Williams had an affair with John Proctor, a wealthy, married man. Proctors strengths consist of, honesty and pride. The Crucible is a tragedy play written by Arthur Miller. 73), meaning the girls are testing out the extent of the chaos they can create with their newfound power. No one even considers Mary's statement about sticking the needle in herself. Arthur Millers portrayal of a town in the midst of a downfall The Crucible, tells the story of how mob mentality and hysteria can significantly influence not only individuals but the whole town. Parris is very quick to position himself on the side of the accusers as soon as Abigail throws the first punch, and he immediately threatens violence on Tituba if she doesn't confess (pg. The power of collective hysteria ultimately becomes insurmountable because it grows larger than the influence of the few rational voices in the community. Why doesnt John immediately tell the court that he knows Abigail is faking? Arthur Miller speaks of Reverend Parris, stating: ''until this strange crisis he, like the rest of Salem, never conceived that the children were anything but thankful for being permitted to walk straight, eyes slightly lowered, arms at the sides, and mouths shut until bidden to speak.''. This vicious cycle continues to claim the lives of more and more people as the play progresses. It is another trait we inherited from them, and it has helped to discipline us as well as to breed hypocrisy among us.'' Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. Miller himself was blacklisted for refusing to testify in front of the HUAC, a committee that was created to investigate any person who might be a communist. makes them feel the best about themselves. In each paragraph these traits will be further explained . Along with the final say in the putting to death of people during the Salem witch trials. 67). In fact, we've all seen hypocrisy in our daily lives. A professor tells us that he has a strict rule about cell phones in the classroom, then he answers it midway through his own lecture. 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. The people in charge are so eager to hold onto their power that if anyone disagrees with them in the way the trials are conducted, it is taken as a personal affront and challenge to their authority. By Act 2, there are nearly 40 people in jail accused of witchcraft. The prisoners have lost all faith in earthly authority figures and look towards the judgment of God. As Abigail begins to be accused she is pressured to deter from the truth. As much as I loved Bernie Sanders, he made millions of dollars while preaching for democratic. Proctor's wife, Elizabeth, is accused of being a witch and Proctor has to make a moral decision . 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. is hypocrisy a natural human flaw the crucible. Believer, Baltimore City IEP Chair, and 2:39 marathon runner. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. As mentioned in the overview, religion holds significant power over the people of Salem. There are two examples of Ad hominem from The Crucible in Act 2 and Act 3. This vicious cycle continues to claim the lives of more and more people as the play progresses. Before I get into the nitty-gritty of howThe Cruciblethemes are expressed, let's do a quick overview of what themes are and why they matter. The fact that he forgets only this commandment shows that he is trying extremely hard to repress his guilt. 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. As John gives his confession, Danforth says to Rebecca Nurse Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. She says, "My name is good in the village!

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