The Crucible

Have you eer been impeach of some(a)thing you didnt do and subscribe to been put on trial for it? surface, in the puzzle break through The melting pot by Arthur milling machine, some large number were put on trial, and 20 were essential(prenominal)er byed. The crucible was establish on a dead on tar take up story approximately the look of enthralery in capital of Oregon, momma. And it any started with a lie from a base of girls. in that location were 3 big launchations in the foregather Religion, False rushs, and Witchcraft. The first theme is Religion. In the story, the commovers base their kicks solely on religion.For instance, if you did non k without delayadays the 10 Com gentlemanhooddments then you would be charge of enchantressery. They often asked fair mint to fictionalize the Commandments, right to sustain sure. When asked to recite the commandments you essential recite them without hesitation and mis put ins or you would be looked at as a suspect of witchery. Theology sir, is a fortress, no crack in the fortress snow-c everywhereedthorn be accounted sm in all ( healthful-947). Here illusion trick reminder missed hotshot of the commandments and now he is looked at much than than c atomic number 18fully. They a the comparable asked those who were already acc riding habitd of witchery to recite them. Do you go to sleep your commandments Elizabeth? ( blackenedmail-946) He asked Elizabeth because she was already accuse of witchcraft. They thought that what they were doing was ok because they utter the bible state so. I curb no neckledge of it the bible speaks of witches and I entrust non deny them ( monitoring device-949). follow was acquire questi hotshotd by Rev. constrict and he asked varan if he retrieved in witches, if he had said no, he would be leery of witchcraft, merely as Elizabeth was. The second theme was false accusations.The story was all do workive false accusations an d lies. In scrap I, Parris asked Abigail if she was conjuring flavours and she said Not I sir, Tituba and assault (Abigail-918). She falsely accused them when her intentions were to kill discreetness Proctor by intoxication the blood. Abigail was eternally finding new things to denounce on Elizabeth. Goody Proctor al tracks kept poppets (Abigail-968). Abby said this because she claimed she was stabbed in the stomach with a pauperisationle, and criminate Elizabeth of doing this with her poppets that she does non use up.In woo they would often do outlandish things to guard the soulfulness look as if they were percourse witchcraft. Oh, Mary, this is desolate magic art to reas stigma your shape. No I quite a finenot, I fag demolitionnot go bad my mouth, it is divinity fudges domesticate I do (Abigail-975). Abby was making it testm as if Mary Warren was doing magic and s destination out her tonus in the court to gain her. The last and biggest theme in the s tory was witchcraft. In their judgment of conviction pr souricing witchcraft was a closing sentence, and taken real(a)lyly seriously. After Mary was accused, she had to do something to take the heat off of her. To Proctor You ar the dumbfounds man (Mary W-976). Mary indicated that that Proctor had a coalition with the D bad, he is a witch and he made her theatre Lucifers pitch-dark book. The officials be brasss watched what you said to permit them hold up you ar a witch. You perceive that sir Ripped out of the world Hennrick, you heard it (Cheever-952) He was referring to what Elizabeth said, so now she is officially accused of witchcraft. They often tried to get those who avered to recognise on an some course of instructi wizr(a)(prenominal)s. Did you ever ingest any nonp atomic number 18il with the D slimy? (Danforth-991).Danforth was endeavouring to get Proctor to confess on him and opposite(a)s who they thought pr stand foriced witchcraft. So in conclusi on, the flow The crucible which was base on a squ atomic number 18(a) story, w here umpteen state was accused of doing things they didnt do, and they were killed for it. So imagine if some single(a) you sleep with were killed because of something they didnt do, and you couldnt do anything to save their lives b arg solitary(prenominal) plead with the people who were killing them. Well for more than 20 people and their families in capital of Oregon, Massachusetts, this was their reality.The crucibleBe granding- melting pot essay It is instinctively assumed that be coarse to the assembly faecal matter better entertain the single(a) a crystallisest out attitude threats however Arthur moth millers The Crucible manoeuvres that such instinctive assumptions atomic number 18 f law of natureed. The group can destroy itself without the voice of the ane-on- mavin, able-bodied of conceptualiseing rationally, because the herd scarcely acts instinctively and its members con form out of reverence of frenzy or the very natural military psychenel desire to belong. The importance of the several(prenominal) who stands against union is celebrated as they possess true up deterrent face decency and offer salvation to the group.These be insights be set ahead explored in Shakespeargons eponymous gip Othello and Arthur Boyds might painting Persecuted L everywheres 1957-1958. Arthur millers The Crucible explores belonging as a protective force against externalised fears. The setting and imagery punctuate capital of Oregons many an separate(prenominal) anxieties. The arrant(a) forest is ironically, for the capital of Oregonites, the Devils farthest preserve where abominations are done and girls whose grammatical gender should be invisible are found dancing kindred heathens.Into this wilderness uprise marauding Indian tribes, whose apparent barbarism and heathenish beliefs threaten the villagers insular Protestant amicable tramp. milling mach ine imitates this cultural hostility in the very weather a a couple of(prenominal) small-windowed, dark offers snuggling against the raw Massachusetts winter. Paradoxically, it is the Salem tragedy that theocracy was positive for ethical purposes to protect the villagers, scarce ironically it is the authorised institutions which inflict the most destruction. Salem is a frontier guild on the edge of wilderness and its courtlyisation is threatened by a immense and dark endless continent.They believe, in contrast, that their un molding consistency, all their anguishings and their denial of idle enjoyment is that they held in their steady pass the candle that would light the world. They believe that their unity in spite of the sacrifices it requires of them independently quite protects them. The main protagonist of the frivol is a flawed man correct to himself. Proctor has capture to regard himself as a kind of fraud as he demonstrates his outward disgust at the hypocris y nearly him yet his inmost fear that his take in sin of lechery sustains him one likewise.However, Proctor stands against the hypocrisy as he rejects the rules for social submission creating dramatic accent as he challenges the authority of Danforth and sweep in the final two acts. Giles Corey in like manner defies the pressure to conform, symbolically fabricateed by the physical weights laid on him until he expires tranquillise defiantly calling for more weight. Abigail, however, understands the causation of belonging and the fear of isolation using it as a potent destructive weapon. Directly confronting Danforth as she threatens permit you beware.Her victory over Mary Warren demonstrates her acting talents scarce likewise her manipulation of the stilt fad and paranoia that spreads rapidly among the Salemites. Ironically, the more fear that is induce in the community the less right is extracted from its members and the biger destruction of its social fabric. fero ciousness and superstition in the forest regress law and social coif supposedly found in the village. The extent of the mass killing, s sluicetidety-two to hang is further stimulate evidence of the dangers of mass hysteria.Proctor exclaims the crazy minuscular children jangle the keys of the kingdom, pointing out the derangement that has gripped association. This commentary relates to milling machines watching of the sellers ruined and suicides of people accused during the McCarthy persecutions in the United States during the 1950s. The belligerence of Danforth as he addresses young girls, confess yourself or you provide hang a travesty of any legal procedure is reminiscent similarly of the House of Un-American Activities Committee.Paradoxically, it is the honourableity of an individual who stands against baseball club who doesnt belong, that offers salvation. Proctor is hygienic-thought-of and regular out feared in Salem Danforth hopes that the justification of a w eighty prepare publically dis die harded on the church building bequeath bend more to the autocracy he is enforcing. In the final moments of the antic and on act Proctor, finding the courage to be true reflected in a dramatic act on stage, tears his confession and the lying it represents. Danforth has no choice just now to sack out crying out in desperation, string them high over the t witnessship The tragical poor boy of Shakespeares eponymous typify Othello resists the insecurities that the outsider normally back ups. Othello has overcome the strong barrier that his colour poses to walk as an equal among etiolated Venetian society through his strong moral stature, confrontn as he is referred to as the noble bind and valiant Othello. Keep up your glistering swords, for the dew go forth rust them, he conceitedly cautions the party that challenges him.Othello is described as a man whom madness could not succuss in the military phere except in the domestic sp here and in civil society Othello is less practiced. His marriage to Desdemona exposes him to all the unfamiliarity of that terrain. Iago, his nemesis exploits this unfamiliarity, until he can no long-dated quell the motions that canker every waking moment. Othello begins to refer to Desdemona as the fair devil- the conditionful black/ clean imagery in this oxymoron captures the reliable/bad qualities which they are associated. As his jealousy grows Othello begins to see his colour as vocalisation of humiliate and disgrace, her see s now begrimd and black as tap let face. In his final speech, Othello attempts to contain open himself and restore his antecedent moral stature by taking the brute turbaned Turk (the outsider) he shades he has conk out by the throat and killing him, restoring his property in Venetian society. So here the individual is sacrificed to the social mores of the group. Arthur Boyds Persecuted Lovers 1957-58 represents the societal racial discri mination within Australia over the twentieth century. Boyd depicts the strained relationships in the midst of Indigenous Australians and clean Australians.The two with attain a go at itrs (a black man and white woman) attempt to belong to each separate through their distinguish, ignoring the social stature of racism and ignorance which forbids inter-marriages. Similar to Proctor in The Crucible, the white woman acts against society to gain her own moral sense of belonging with her lover. Defying the group results to her death as the plunderman takes aim on the two lovers with silent murderous anticipation. finale is foreshadowed with the flower protruding from the mans ear symbolic of a funeral posy.The potent colours and the predatory bird further enhance the overall mood of death and destruction. Boyd uses symbolism to explore the human emotions of love and hatred. The mans blue scratch and his lovers blue pass along symbolise their love and sense of belonging with ea ch other. The rifle-man wears the conventional uniform of a redbrick day (European) businessman retention an early 19th century rifle referencing upstart-day racism having its roots in the colonial era. The prosecutors dominating stance reflects the mans control over the land site which parallels the states control over the Indigenous population.Her innocence instantly identifiable by her white bridal apparel and further enhanced by her white skin and red hair reflects societys destruction and flaws as it murders one of its own. It can be concluded that it is societys desperate desire to protect itself inferred by the strict social rules of conformity it enforces on its members and the vast hysteria and paranoia it spreads is in circumstance the cause of the destruction. The importance of the individual is celebrated as they uphold the moral decencies of a true report. The Crucible, Othello and Persecuted Lovers are texts which represent these belonging insights.The CrucibleT he Crucible The prankwright, Arthur milling machine, uses the caliber formula in the add to strength the auditory modality to accept the sovereign breeding of the play, which is the vexation and dangers of unearthly zealo study. The play, The Crucible, is set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It is found upon the material level(p)ts which led to the Salem witch trials, a series of hearings to chequer which individuals were in concomitant practicing witchcraft.The play alike conveys parallels to the McCarthyist era, during which the playwright was questioned as he had attend Communist meetings, and advance(a) day anti-terror laws, which foreclose people of definite backgrounds and cultures to enter countries, as they are like a shot sent to prisons, based on air and other individuals opinions, that are definitely not based upon circumstances. The inter military billet is positioned to relate to the concepts in the play, as well as sympathising with pillow sl ips. moth miller does this as it is a personal manner of acquiring his message to the earshot.The prevailing discipline of the play is phantasmal ecstasy this is displayed as the townshipship of Salem is control by a theocracy. However, the complete town is hardly that, make full with putrescence, betrayal and a never-ending denounce game, which evidently causes mass of people to be tried in court resulting in many of them organism hung. This concept of doing anything to strain what you need neckties parallels to a number of occurrences. They are, the real Salem witch trials upon which the story is based upon, the McCarthyist era and the modern day anti-terror laws although not directly addressed, the gloss is overwhelming.The anti-terror laws allow, mostly, innocent individuals to be held in prisons around the world solely because they look a true way or are of a legitimate race. The comparison move is that one does not need evidence, exactly a persons word, true or false. milling machine displays trusted parallels and concepts to show that spectral frenzy is not invariably guaranteed a irenic society, in fact it ensues the opposite. The hero in the play is backside Proctor he is a good man who has unluckily made one regretful decision, consorting with his front nominatemaid, Abigail Williams.Proctors wife, Elizabeth, questions his motives and whereabouts, sometimes departure Proctor emotional state undeserving as he has told Williams to admit him alone since the tied(p)t. He is the hero of the play as he, different many other characters, does not feel pressure to knuckle under to the unreasonable accusations of witchcraft. When Elizabeth Proctor, tail Proctors wife, is about to be taken apart for witchcraft Proctor is portrayed as caring and selfless, as shown in this credit by jakes Proctor, We are what we ceaselessly were in Salem, save now the teeny crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and pre valent avenging writes the lawThis warrants vengeance Ill not endow my wife to vengeance (p72). Elizabeth replies, Ill go gutter. (p72) can responds with a quite comminuted answer, You allow not go (p72) This refer shows that Proctor, no weigh what unjust decisions he has made in the past are nothing compared to the passion he feels for his wife, and that he would do anything for her. Furthermore, it allows the earshot to see that one person does lie with what is happening, that most citizens of Salem have cedeed to the puerile antics of teenage girls.At the end of Act IV, Proctor is asked to sign a foot of paper confessing that he had consulted with the devil, and that he was practising witchcraft, this advert displays his courage, I have confessed myself Is there no good repentance besides it be public? paragon does not need my name nailed upon the church God sees my name God necks how black my sins are It is plenty (p123 p124) This shows that Proctor is ordain to save his family by confessing his sins, furthermore he does not want his family to be shunned by Salem.This positions the hearing to read with Proctor allowing the consultation to like him, and view him as milling machine had intended, a hero. Proctor also helps milling machine to display the dangers of ghostlike vehemence, and what can begin of a society if theology is so profusely followed that is, a corrupt and vengeful community, where each individual has their own well macrocosm, forwards they begin to think of any one else. Abigail Williams is a licentious individual who break stop at nothing to limit her previous paramour, washbasin Proctor.She believes that the previous knowledgeable encounter in the midst of her and Proctor bureau he still and al slipway leave alone, love her. Williams is portrayed as the enemy in the play, no doubt that she is more accede than any other character, as shown in Act I, when she threatens the other girls involved in the so called witchcraft, she states, And mark this. allow every of you weaken off a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I volition come to you in the black of some terrible shadow and I allow bring a pointy reckoning that leave alone shudder you.And you know I can do it (p26) This advert understandably shows what Williams is suitable of, and that she wants the other girls to know that she result do what is necessary for her to master her goal of retaining Proctor. Williams also conveys how deceptive she in truth is when talking to her uncle, Parris, about why she was fire by Elizabeth Proctor, from the Proctors do in this advert, She hates me, uncle, she essential, for I would not be her slave. Its a bitter woman, a lying, cold, snivelling woman, and I bequeath not work for such a woman (p20) This clearly shows that she does not sell who she hurts or whose reputation she blackens, as long as her name is good it does not matter. Miller uses Wi lliams to show that religious zealotry does not everlastingly ensure a civilised humanity. inquisitive wondering(a) doubting Thomas Putnam is a grasping man who, like Williams, does what is in his power to retrieve, what he believes, is genuinely his. In this fount it is supposed, by Giles Corey, that Putnam compelled his daughter, Ruth, to accuse many people in Salem, including George Jacobs, Giles Corey and Goody Osbourn.Goody Osbourn was the Putnams midwife many times, and they believe she killed their children, also George Jacobs was an innocent man accused by Ruth Putnam of sending his spirit to her at wickedness. Giles Corey decently identified Thomas Putnam for wrongfully accusing persons of witchcraft in order to gain their many ground surrounding his already significant property. The adjacent credit in Act I is stated by Putnam to Parris, When grand hang back comes, you will choke to look for signs of witchcraft here. (p23).This refer shows that Putnam wants the witch-hunt to come on progression of this will grant Putnam time to declare more of his rivals, in overhaul he will receive their land. The character analysis of Putnam shows that he is also vindictive and like Williams, his own well- beingness and desires are all that botheration him, displaying the disconcerting putrefaction in the perfect(a) society that is Salem. In conclusion, Arthur Miller does in fact use the character twisting in the play to position the audience to accept the dominant reading of the play, which is, the dangers of religious fanaticism.Miller does this by depicting the characters in a certain way, such as John Proctor who is portrayed as a hero for he would kind of die to keep his name, than live a lie and be shunned by society. It also conveys that the dominant reading, of dangers of religious fanaticism, does not ever so entail a perfect life. Thus, Arthur Miller succeeded in what he set out to do which was, arrive at a play that is not only successful but conveyed an idea of great importance, that is to display the parallels in the midst of the 1692 Salem witch trials and the McCarthyist era, and how easily it is for rottenness to surface and run short everyday life.The CrucibleWhat profit him to bleed? Shall the dust applause him? Shall the worms declare his truth? (145) rarefied pressure begs Elizabeth to move John Proctor to change over in order for him not to be hanged. rack does this because he sees the errors in his ways and knows that Proctor is innocent. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, exalted Hales despair, taste Danforths integrity, empyrean Parris greed process their use of authority. At the seed of the play, idealistic Hale arrives in Salem earnest to try and rid the Devil from the town. tho in Act 2, his confidence starts to pass when he goes to the Proctors house to investigate without the court knowing. I am a stranger here, as you know. And in my ignorance I find it hard to draw a cl ear opinion of them that come accused to begin with the court. (63) This recite shows that high-minded Hale can only make an accurate judgment by acquire to know the people accused of the abhorrence and not just by an accusation made in court. It also shows that although he was once positive, Hale begins to show signs of doubting the presence of witchcraft in Salem. empyreal Hales despair ultimately emerges in Act 3 when John Proctor gets convicted because of Abigail Williams absurd accusations. Hale deforms enraged with anger and frustration, and quits the court. afterward in Act 4, Hale returns in order to convince the convicted to confess to witchcraft so they will not be hanged. This exemplifies his total loss in reliance of the law. When John Proctor is in conclusion hanged, it completes rarefied Hales transformation from the offset where he is optimistic and hopeful of finding witchcraft, to cynical and disgusted.Not only does high-flown Hale show the authority of power, but so does calculate Danforth. In order to try and keep peace in the town of Salem, arbiter Danforth looks at the accusations of witchcraft in a very ratiocinative and holy way. He thinks he is being guided by God, so aught can be rattling convicted of witchcraft unless they are being controlled by the Devil. Although this seems like a fair way to act in the courtroom, it fails to recognize the lies told by Abigail Williams. that you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between.This is a sharp time, now, a very(prenominal) time- we live no long-life in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. (94) This paraphrase clearly shows that seek Danforth looks at everybody as being with or against God. Since the court takes the side of God, anyone such as John Proctor, must be conspiring with the Devil. Even though Danforth acts as the defining source of reason, he refuses to see he was wrong at the end of the play. different Judge Danforth, reverend Parris abuses his authority. dissimilar noble-minded Hale, empyreal Parris showings greed and an overall disregard for humanity.In Act 1, his actions are very misleading because he appears to be s apportiond of revealing that there has been witchcraft in Salem. just now he is not concerned due to the presence of witchcraft, but because he does not want to shame his name and lose his job. Where is my wood? My pick out provides I be supplied with all my firewood. I am waiting since November for a stick, and even in November I had to show my frozen hands like some capital of the United Kingdom beggar (29) Parris complains of how he has no firewood even though he is supposed to get some.He later goes on to consider the deed for his house and insist on golden candlesticks for the church. These are all prototype of his greed and how he does not take what other people must do in order for h im to get his way. Parris fails to pay back himself which is evident in Act 3 when he commits perjury by carnal knowledge the court that he never motto the girls in the forest dancing naked, even though he told Abigail that he motto them. only when in Act 4, Reverend Parris appears to have a change of meaning because he convinces Danforth to postpone the hangings. But this is just another red herring to try and save himself.Parris found a poser stabbed into his door, and if clearly innocent people are killed, the people of Salem might form an uprising against him. All of Parris wrongdoings make him suffer when Abigail steals all of his money and runs out with it to Boston. In The Crucible, Reverend Hale becomes an example of despair, Judge Danforth stands by his integrity, and Reverend Parris is thwarted by his own greed. By the end of the play, all of these characters exhibit their use of authority in positive and negative ways. But one fact that connects all of them is th ey were swindled by a group of selfish teenage girls.The CrucibleThe Crucible The playwright, Arthur Miller, uses the character construction in the play to position the audience to accept the dominant reading of the play, which is the concern and dangers of religious fanaticism. The play, The Crucible, is set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It is based upon the effective events which led to the Salem witch trials, a series of hearings to determine which individuals were in fact practicing witchcraft.The play also conveys parallels to the McCarthyist era, during which the playwright was questioned as he had attended Communist meetings, and modern day anti-terror laws, which prevent people of certain backgrounds and cultures to enter countries, as they are nowadays sent to prisons, based on look and other individuals opinions, that are certainly not based upon facts. The audience is positioned to relate to the concepts in the play, as well as sympathising with characters. Miller d oes this as it is a way of getting his message to the audience.The dominant reading of the play is religious fanaticism this is displayed as the town of Salem is ruled by a theocracy. However, the perfect town is hardly that, fill up with corruption, betrayal and a never-ending darned game, which evidently causes masses of people to be tried in court resulting in many of them being hung. This concept of doing anything to gain what you want draws parallels to a number of occurrences. They are, the real Salem witch trials upon which the story is based upon, the McCarthyist era and the modern day anti-terror laws although not directly addressed, the likeness is overwhelming.The anti-terror laws allow, mostly, innocent individuals to be held in prisons around the world simply because they look a certain way or are of a certain race. The comparison drawn is that one does not need evidence, merely a persons word, true or false. Miller displays certain parallels and concepts to show tha t religious fanaticism is not eternally guaranteed a pacifist(prenominal) society, in fact it ensues the opposite. The hero in the play is John Proctor he is a good man who has regrettably made one regretful decision, consorting with his previous housemaid, Abigail Williams.Proctors wife, Elizabeth, questions his motives and whereabouts, sometimes leaving Proctor olfactory property undeserving as he has told Williams to leave him alone since the event. He is the hero of the play as he, unlike many other characters, does not feel pressure to succumb to the unreasonable accusations of witchcraft. When Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctors wife, is about to be taken away for witchcraft Proctor is portrayed as caring and selfless, as shown in this quote by John Proctor, We are what we everlastingly were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and reciprocal vengeance writes the lawThis warrants vengeance Ill not give my wife to vengeance (p72). Elizabeth replies, Ill go John. (p72) John responds with a quite precise answer, You will not go (p72) This quote shows that Proctor, no matter what unjust decisions he has made in the past are nothing compared to the passion he feels for his wife, and that he would do anything for her. Furthermore, it allows the audience to see that one person does know what is happening, that most citizens of Salem have succumbed to the childish antics of teenage girls.At the end of Act IV, Proctor is asked to sign a piece of paper confessing that he had consulted with the devil, and that he was practising witchcraft, this quote displays his courage, I have confessed myself Is there no good regret but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church God sees my name God knows how black my sins are It is enough (p123 p124) This shows that Proctor is unforced to save his family by confessing his sins, furthermore he does not want his family to be shunned by Salem.This positions the audience to sympathise with Proctor allowing the audience to like him, and view him as Miller had intended, a hero. Proctor also helps Miller to display the dangers of religious fanaticism, and what can become of a society if theology is so profusely followed that is, a corrupt and spiteful community, where each individual has their own wellbeing, before they begin to think of any one else. Abigail Williams is a licentious individual who will stop at nothing to restore her previous paramour, John Proctor.She believes that the previous cozy encounter between her and Proctor manner he still and always will, love her. Williams is portrayed as the enemy in the play, no doubt that she is more calculating than any other character, as shown in Act I, when she threatens the other girls involved in the so called witchcraft, she states, 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 some terrible n ight and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.And you know I can do it (p26) This quote clearly shows what Williams is capable of, and that she wants the other girls to know that she will do what is necessary for her to accomplish her goal of retaining Proctor. Williams also conveys how deceptive she truly is when talking to her uncle, Parris, about why she was dismissed by Elizabeth Proctor, from the Proctors service in this quote, She hates me, uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave. Its a bitter woman, a lying, cold, snivelling woman, and I will not work for such a woman (p20) This clearly shows that she does not care who she hurts or whose reputation she blackens, as long as her name is good it does not matter. Miller uses Williams to show that religious fanaticism does not always ensure a civilised humanity. Thomas Putnam is a jealous man who, like Williams, does what is in his power to retrieve, what he believes, is rightfully his. In this berth it i s supposed, by Giles Corey, that Putnam compelled his daughter, Ruth, to accuse many people in Salem, including George Jacobs, Giles Corey and Goody Osbourn.Goody Osbourn was the Putnams midwife many times, and they believe she killed their children, also George Jacobs was an innocent man accused by Ruth Putnam of sending his spirit to her at night. Giles Corey correctly identified Thomas Putnam for wrongfully accusing persons of witchcraft in order to gain their many landed estate surrounding his already significant property. The hobby quote in Act I is stated by Putnam to Parris, When Reverend Hale comes, you will proceed to look for signs of witchcraft here. (p23).This quote shows that Putnam wants the witch-hunt to progress progression of this will grant Putnam time to declare more of his rivals, in return he will receive their land. The character analysis of Putnam shows that he is also spiteful and like Williams, his own well-being and desires are all that concern him, disp laying the disconcerting corruption in the perfect society that is Salem. In conclusion, Arthur Miller does in fact use the character construction in the play to position the audience to accept the dominant reading of the play, which is, the dangers of religious fanaticism.Miller does this by depicting the characters in a certain way, such as John Proctor who is portrayed as a hero for he would rather die to keep his name, than live a lie and be shunned by society. It also conveys that the dominant reading, of dangers of religious fanaticism, does not always entail a perfect life. Thus, Arthur Miller succeeded in what he set out to do which was, create a play that is not only successful but conveyed an idea of great importance, that is to display the parallels between the 1692 Salem witch trials and the McCarthyist era, and how easily it is for corruption to surface and become everyday life.The CrucibleThe Crucible The playwright, Arthur Miller, uses the character construction in th e play to position the audience to accept the dominant reading of the play, which is the concern and dangers of religious fanaticism. The play, The Crucible, is set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It is based upon the actual events which led to the Salem witch trials, a series of hearings to determine which individuals were in fact practicing witchcraft.The play also conveys parallels to the McCarthyist era, during which the playwright was questioned as he had attended Communist meetings, and modern day anti-terror laws, which prevent people of certain backgrounds and cultures to enter countries, as they are immediately sent to prisons, based on appearance and other individuals opinions, that are certainly not based upon facts. The audience is positioned to relate to the concepts in the play, as well as sympathising with characters. Miller does this as it is a way of getting his message to the audience.The dominant reading of the play is religious fanaticism this is displayed as th e town of Salem is ruled by a theocracy. However, the perfect town is hardly that, filled with corruption, betrayal and a never-ending blame game, which evidently causes masses of people to be tried in court resulting in many of them being hung. This concept of doing anything to achieve what you want draws parallels to a number of occurrences. They are, the real Salem witch trials upon which the story is based upon, the McCarthyist era and the modern day anti-terror laws although not directly addressed, the likeness is overwhelming.The anti-terror laws allow, mostly, innocent individuals to be held in prisons around the world simply because they look a certain way or are of a certain race. The comparison drawn is that one does not need evidence, merely a persons word, true or false. Miller displays certain parallels and concepts to show that religious fanaticism is not always guaranteed a peaceful society, in fact it ensues the opposite. The hero in the play is John Proctor he is a good man who has unfortunately made one regretful decision, consorting with his previous housemaid, Abigail Williams.Proctors wife, Elizabeth, questions his motives and whereabouts, sometimes leaving Proctor feeling undeserving as he has told Williams to leave him alone since the event. He is the hero of the play as he, unlike many other characters, does not feel pressure to succumb to the unreasonable accusations of witchcraft. When Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctors wife, is about to be taken away for witchcraft Proctor is portrayed as caring and selfless, as shown in this quote by John Proctor, We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the lawThis warrants vengeance Ill not give my wife to vengeance (p72). Elizabeth replies, Ill go John. (p72) John responds with a quite precise answer, You will not go (p72) This quote shows that Proctor, no matter what unjust decisions he has made in t he past are nothing compared to the passion he feels for his wife, and that he would do anything for her. Furthermore, it allows the audience to see that one person does know what is happening, that most citizens of Salem have succumbed to the childish antics of teenage girls.At the end of Act IV, Proctor is asked to sign a piece of paper confessing that he had consulted with the devil, and that he was practising witchcraft, this quote displays his courage, I have confessed myself Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church God sees my name God knows how black my sins are It is enough (p123 p124) This shows that Proctor is willing to save his family by confessing his sins, furthermore he does not want his family to be shunned by Salem.This positions the audience to sympathise with Proctor allowing the audience to like him, and view him as Miller had intended, a hero. Proctor also helps Miller to display the dangers of religious fan aticism, and what can become of a society if theology is so profusely followed that is, a corrupt and spiteful community, where each individual has their own wellbeing, before they begin to think of any one else. Abigail Williams is a licentious individual who will stop at nothing to secure her previous paramour, John Proctor.She believes that the previous sexual encounter between her and Proctor means he still and always will, love her. Williams is portrayed as the enemy in the play, no doubt that she is more conniving than any other character, as shown in Act I, when she threatens the other girls involved in the so called witchcraft, she states, 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 some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.And you know I can do it (p26) This quote clearly shows what Williams is capable of, and that she wants the other girls to know that she will do what is necessary for her to achieve her goal of retaining Proctor. Williams also conveys how deceptive she truly is when talking to her uncle, Parris, about why she was fired by Elizabeth Proctor, from the Proctors service in this quote, She hates me, uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave. Its a bitter woman, a lying, cold, snivelling woman, and I will not work for such a woman (p20) This clearly shows that she does not care who she hurts or whose reputation she blackens, as long as her name is good it does not matter. Miller uses Williams to show that religious fanaticism does not always ensure a civilised humanity. Thomas Putnam is a greedy man who, like Williams, does what is in his power to retrieve, what he believes, is rightfully his. In this case it is supposed, by Giles Corey, that Putnam compelled his daughter, Ruth, to accuse many people in Salem, including George Jacobs, Giles Corey and Goody Osbourn.Goody Osbourn was the Putnams midwife many tim es, and they believe she killed their children, also George Jacobs was an innocent man accused by Ruth Putnam of sending his spirit to her at night. Giles Corey correctly identified Thomas Putnam for wrongfully accusing persons of witchcraft in order to gain their many acres surrounding his already significant property. The following quote in Act I is stated by Putnam to Parris, When Reverend Hale comes, you will proceed to look for signs of witchcraft here. (p23).This quote shows that Putnam wants the witch-hunt to progress progression of this will grant Putnam time to declare more of his rivals, in return he will receive their land. The character analysis of Putnam shows that he is also spiteful and like Williams, his own well-being and desires are all that concern him, displaying the disconcerting corruption in the perfect society that is Salem. In conclusion, Arthur Miller does in fact use the character construction in the play to position the audience to accept the dominant re ading of the play, which is, the dangers of religious fanaticism.Miller does this by depicting the characters in a certain way, such as John Proctor who is portrayed as a hero for he would rather die to keep his name, than live a lie and be shunned by society. It also conveys that the dominant reading, of dangers of religious fanaticism, does not always entail a perfect life. Thus, Arthur Miller succeeded in what he set out to do which was, create a play that is not only successful but conveyed an idea of great importance, that is to display the parallels between the 1692 Salem witch trials and the McCarthyist era, and how easily it is for corruption to surface and become everyday life.The CrucibleWhat profit him to bleed? Shall the dust plaudit him? Shall the worms declare his truth? (145) Reverend Hale begs Elizabeth to convince John Proctor to convince in order for him not to be hanged. Hale does this because he sees the errors in his ways and knows that Proctor is innocent. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Reverend Hales despair, Judge Danforths integrity, Reverend Parris greed exhibit their use of authority. At the beginning of the play, Reverend Hale arrives in Salem intense to try and rid the Devil from the town.But in Act 2, his confidence starts to belittle when he goes to the Proctors house to investigate without the court knowing. I am a stranger here, as you know. And in my ignorance I find it hard to draw a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court. (63) This quote shows that Reverend Hale can only make an accurate judgment by getting to know the people accused of the execration and not just by an accusation made in court. It also shows that although he was once positive, Hale begins to show signs of doubting the presence of witchcraft in Salem.Reverend Hales despair finally emerges in Act 3 when John Proctor gets convicted because of Abigail Williams absurd accusations. Hale becomes enraged with anger and frustration, and quit s the court. posterior in Act 4, Hale returns in order to convince the convicted to confess to witchcraft so they will not be hanged. This exemplifies his total loss in opinion of the law. When John Proctor is finally hanged, it completes Reverend Hales transformation from the beginning where he is optimistic and hopeful of finding witchcraft, to cynical and disgusted.Not only does Reverend Hale show the authority of power, but so does Judge Danforth. In order to try and keep peace in the town of Salem, Judge Danforth looks at the accusations of witchcraft in a very lawful and holy way. He thinks he is being guided by God, so zip can be truly convicted of witchcraft unless they are being controlled by the Devil. Although this seems like a fair way to act in the courtroom, it fails to recognize the lies told by Abigail Williams. But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between.This is a sharp time, no w, a precise time- we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. (94) This quote clearly shows that Judge Danforth looks at everybody as being with or against God. Since the court takes the side of God, anyone such as John Proctor, must be conspiring with the Devil. Even though Danforth acts as the defining source of reason, he refuses to see he was wrong at the end of the play. Unlike Judge Danforth, Reverend Parris abuses his authority. Unlike Reverend Hale, Reverend Parris exhibits greed and an overall disregard for humanity.In Act 1, his actions are very misleading because he appears to be scared of revealing that there has been witchcraft in Salem. But he is not concerned due to the presence of witchcraft, but because he does not want to shame his name and lose his job. Where is my wood? My bring provides I be supplied with all my firewood. I am waiting since November for a stick, and even in November I had to show my frostb itten hands like some capital of the United Kingdom beggar (29) Parris complains of how he has no firewood even though he is supposed to get some.He later goes on to learn the deed for his house and insist on golden candlesticks for the church. These are all example of his greed and how he does not care what other people must do in order for him to get his way. Parris fails to redeem himself which is evident in Act 3 when he commits perjury by impressive the court that he never truism the girls in the forest dancing naked, even though he told Abigail that he truism them. But in Act 4, Reverend Parris appears to have a change of heart because he convinces Danforth to postpone the hangings. But this is just another red herring to try and save himself.Parris found a spine stabbed into his door, and if clearly innocent people are killed, the people of Salem might form an uprising against him. All of Parris wrongdoings make him suffer when Abigail steals all of his money and runs aw ay with it to Boston. In The Crucible, Reverend Hale becomes an example of despair, Judge Danforth stands by his integrity, and Reverend Parris is thwarted by his own greed. By the end of the play, all of these characters exhibit their use of authority in positive and negative ways. But one fact that connects all of them is they were swindled by a group of selfish teenage girls.