In the play The Crucible Salem is a very religious and well-respected community. They follow the strict rules and live their way of life by the bible. However as the play progresses there are a lot of conflict, tension, and drama shown. Arthur Miller builds up tension through his characters and their actions. The tension increases as the play develops and the people of Salem have to deal with the dilemma that unfolds before them.
The play starts of a cell in Salem jail. At the back is a high barred window; near it, a great, heavy door. Along the walls are two benches. The place is in darkness but for the moonlight seeping through the bars. It appears empty. Presently footsteps are heard coming down a corridor beyond the wall, key rattle, and the door swings open. The stage directions make the audience aware of where the play is set.
At the beginning of the play we see a woman called Tituba [calling to the window]:take me home, Devil! Take me home!
Tituba is Reverend Parriss black slave from Barbados she is accused of witchcraft because she and Abigail Williams (reverend Parriss niece) were believed to conjuring up sprits, this is all the havoc started.
Reverend Parris is a minister of Salems church. Reverend Parris is a paranoid, power-hungry, self-pitying figure. Many of the people, especially John Proctor, dislike him, and Parris is very concerned with building his position in the community.
The conversation between Herrick and Danforth creates tension because there is dramatic pauses and suspicion. Danforth containing his anger orders Herrick to go and fetch Mr. Parris this makes the audience tell his tone of voice because he is angry so he could probably be biting his lip.
When Parris enters the stage directions tell us that Hathorne and Dantorth, hearing someone coming up the corridor, Danforth raises his head as Parris enters. He is gaunt, Frightened, and sweating in his greatcoat. We can tell what sort of character Parris is if Danforth is frightened and when they can hear that someone walking up the corridor we sense that there will be trouble and were willing to know who it is and why they are there. When Parris tells Danforth the Abigail has vanished he is astonished and Parris presses his fingers against his eyes to keep back tears. Arthur Miller creates tension by playing on the readers symphony we fill sorry for Parris.
Reverend Hale is a young minister and an expert on witchcraft. Reverend Hale is called in to Salem to examine Parriss daughter Betty. Hale is a committed Christian and hater of witchcraft. When he enters in the act 4 scene 1 they look at him for an instant in silence. He is steeped in sorrow, exhausted, and more direct than he ever was. Hale tries to convince them no to hang the innocent people that have been accused of witchcraft you must pardon them. As the play is slowly unfold we begin to see the different characters and there mixed reactions and emotions this builds up tension
Because of the personality clash for example Parris and Hale.
Parris doesnt want to spoil his repetition and Hale wants to save innocent lives.
When Elizabeth enters he face is pale and gaunt meaning that she is weariness and that she is worried and stressed on what is going to happen. She believes that Hale is like all the others accusing her of witchcraft but we know that is wrong dramatic irony this creates tension. Elizabeth is also very quick at responding to the questions that they ask her she is very cold and virtuous. Hale tries all his might to make Elizabeth believe that he want to save her husband with a climactic desperation
And Elizabeth responds I lack learning for it.
When Elizabeth and John Proctor meet for the time ever since they got captured. He balts inside the doorway, his eye caught by the sight of Elizabeth. The emotion flowing between them prevents anyone from speaking for an instant. The emotion flowing is a great description of how they are so happy to meet each other and it makes the audience feel pleased for them. The tension is so great it makes everyone speechless and everyone is affected.
There is some friction between Proctor and Parris because Parris is forcing Proctor to sign the confession and Proctor turns an icy stare at him. This shows the venom, disgust and hatred proctor has for Parris then Parris has the cheek to offer proctor a cup of cider this shows the that Parris has no acknowledgement of his actions.
When Proctor and Elizabeth talk they let out all of there emotions and feeling toward the situation it makes the audience feel guilty and have compassion for them. Now pouring out her heart out. Then Hathorne comes and interrupts saying the sun is soon up and now Proctor has to deal with signing the confession.
Towards the end of the play John Proctor has a life changing decision shall he or shall he not sign the confession. If he does he is a free man but will be guilty for the rest of his life knowing that people would look at him and think thats the man was working with the devil but if he didnt hes life get takes away and it would be and huge depression on his family.
We also now that John Proctor is in denial and is hating the fact of signing the confession and he only answers in 1 word 2 word answers he also only speaks for himself not no one else.
I speak my own sins: I cannot judge another. [Crying out with hatred] I have no tongue for it. Then we see a new side of Proctor his breast heaving with a agonized breathing then he sign the confession and Danforth reaches out to get it and Proctor immediately snatches it up, and now a wild terror is rising in him, and a boundless anger.
At the end of act 4 Proctor has just signed the confession but refuses to hand it to Danforth Proctor Protests about the value of his name in this part of the play Proctor is very quick to responds and cuts of when other people are talking, Danforth start to become suspicions and there is lots of repetition because, because, because. John Proctors name is very important to him because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How many I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name! If he hands the confession over it will be on the church door whereas its embarrassing for him and his son he wants his pride and dignity. So Proctor tears the paper and crumples it and he is weeping in fury then Hale exclaimed Man, you will hang! You cannot! But John Proctor has done well and will get executed. I believe that Arthur Miller makes Proctor the hero and I believe that he is a good symbol in the Salem Society.
I believed that Arthur Miller felt compelled to write the play, not just because it would be a good success but because it related to the time he lived in the McCarthy period were people were accused of being communist or following the communist rules just like the crucible innocent people were accused of witchcraft.
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