Free Essays on The Crucible: The Internal Struggle of the Characters:
Length: 739 words (2.7 pages)
Rating: Red (FREE)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Arthur Miller?s play, The Crucible, is a great portrayal of humans and their inner struggles. This play takes place in the 1690?s in a small Puritan community based on a rigid social system. An outbreak of rumors claiming witchcraft contaminated this small village. This caused conflict among the people of the community and ultimately resulted in absolute chaos. This play clearly illustrates the self-battles of three characters.
Reverend Hale?s battle is initiated by his personal commitment to God. He is a deeply religious man who was unrelenting in his quest for the devil. Originally, Hale believed that there was witchcraft in the town and wanted to drive it out. However as the play develops, Hale witnesses sincere and respectable townspeople being sentenced and hung. He learns that what is being done is definitely wrong and here begins his inner turmoil. With scrutiny, he looks at himself and tries to figure out which way to go. Should he continue with what he is doing and listen to Danforth or should he listen to his conscience? He does try a feeble attempt to talk to Danforth and explain how their actions are unjust, but again, his inner struggle pulls him back to a more moderate stand. Hale then decides to persuade the wrongly accused to confess witchcraft. At least this will save them from death by hanging. He preaches perjury to the people, even though this is also against their religion. Hale?s principles were ridden with guilt and sadness because of his struggle with himself.
John Proctor a farmer and village commoner is similarly faced with an inner turmoil. He has committed adultery with Abigail while his wife was sick. He was fully aware of his immoral actions and the enormity of the problem. Once he though this problem has vanished, it came back to slap him in the face. Abigail decided to call John?s wife, Goody, a witch, this in turn spurs conflict and anger among the townspeople. Proctor then gets involved in these witch trials and claims to be with the devil. His inner struggle is whether or not to tell the truth or fake a confession to save his own life. He is confused as to which way to go and his main obstacle is his pride. John later states" My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man."(136) He would rather confess than die as a martyr for honesty. However, as John confesses, he can not allow Danforth to make it an official document. As Danforth asks him why John answers with a cry "How may I live without my name? Have given you my soul; leave me my name(143). John feels strongly about having a good name and not dying with a bad one. Proctor weighs both sides of his internal conflict and realizes that he cannot live with another lie. He therefore, sentences himself to be hung and at least passes his "good" name and some pride to his children.
Furthermore, Mary Warren was a young girl evidently stricken with terror and inner conflict. Initially in this play, her character is perceived as a quiet and shy person. She was one who would never speak of her opinions. Proctor finds her where she was not supposed to be and wants her home, Mary immediately replies with "I?m just going home." (21) As the plot thickens, Mary is shown as naïve and easily swayed my Abigail. She ends up getting caught up in all the commotion and pandemonium of the town. She goes along with all the girls of the town and lays blame on innocent people of witchery. She amazes herself with the power she can hold when she points a finger towards the accused. Inside she knows that her actions are wrong and cruel but she is too weak to be her own person. Mary decides to speak out against Abigail and the others for their false accusations and said that she " tried to kill me numerous times"(57). Yet as she does this heroic act, Abigail pretends that Mary is also a witch using the poppets against her. Mary is now faced with yet another grueling internal conflict: to do what she knows is right and probably die for it, or to return to her old ways. Mary succumbs to Abigail?s "hypnosis " and accuses John Proctor of forcing her to lie. Clearly the battle which Mary faced from the very beginning was enormous.
Search for: [parent involvement] [man named] [original name] [huge impact]
|
Important Note: If you'd like to save a copy of the
paper on your computer, you can COPY and PASTE it into your word
processor. Please, follow these steps to do that in Windows:
1. Select the text of the paper with the mouse and press Ctrl+C. Azete.com (the "Web Site") is produced by the "Company". The contents of this Web Site, such as text, graphics, images, audio, video and all other material ("Material"), are protected by copyright under both United States and foreign laws. The Company makes no representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the Material or about the results to be obtained from using the Material. You expressly agree that any use of the Material is entirely at your own risk. Most of the Material on the Web Site is provided and maintained by third parties. This third party Material may not be screened by the Company prior to its inclusion on the Web Site. You expressly agree that the Company is not liable or responsible for any defamatory, offensive, or illegal conduct of other subscribers or third parties. The Materials are provided on an as-is basis without warranty express or implied. The Company and its suppliers and affiliates disclaim all warranties, including the warranty of non-infringement of proprietary or third party rights, and the warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. The Company and its suppliers make no warranties as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the material, services, text, graphics and links. For a complete statement of the Terms of Service, please see our website. By obtaining these materials you agree to abide by the terms herein, by our Terms of Service as posted on the website and any and all alterations, revisions and amendments thereto. |
that the historical subjugation of women has definite and deleterious effects upon both women and men. The critical project of Feminist critics is thus concerned with "uncovering the contingencies of gender" as a cultural, social, and political construct and instrument of domination (Jehlen 265). W...e Personal Computer(PC) were top-of-the-line and were considered to be cutting edge. The growth and innovations of the computer brought along with it many aspects of the business world. Today, many business people would not be able to function effortlessly without computers. Communication is an exam...id, quality and broadsheet. These papers are the sun, daily mail and the times. The aim of the investigation is to compare the papers to determine the readability of each in the terms of a word count and the distribution of articles and size. There are many different newspapers...a sturdy, compact body and a cleanly chiseled and refined head, with the overall dog in complete balance and of ideal size. He stands well up at the shoulder on straight forelegs with a topline sloping slightly toward strong, moderately bent, muscular quarters. He is a dog capable of considerable sp...