Theme 3: Reputation. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in The Crucible . 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.
How is reputation presented in The Crucible?
Reputation is the way that other people perceive you . Integrity is the way you perceive yourself. ... In contrast, The Crucible shows that those who favor integrity by admitting mistakes and refusing to lie just to save their own lives help defy hysteria.
What is the main theme of The Crucible?
The main themes in The Crucible include the destructive power of lies, the importance of reputation, and hysteria and corruption . The destructive power of lies: Abigail and her friends tell a series of lies to avoid being punished for breaking the rules. These lies ultimately destroy the community of Salem.
What is an example of reputation in The Crucible?
The importance of reputation is evident throughout The Crucible. John Proctor refuses to surrender his even in exchange for his life . Rebecca Nurse’s is so powerful it affects the way everyone in town treats her. Judge Danforth and Reverend Hale attempt to wield theirs to gain in one way or another.
What are 3 themes in The Crucible?
- Intolerance. The Crucible is set in a theocratic society, in which the church and the state are one, and the religion is a strict, austere form of Protestantism known as Puritanism. ...
- Hysteria. ...
- Reputation. ...
- Goodness. ...
- Judgment. ...
- Social Status. ...
- Ownership and Property. ...
- Justice.
How is respect and reputation shown in The Crucible?
Although John Proctor goes to his death falsely condemned as a witch, he gains his reputation and respect among those who matter, like his wife, because he refuses to falsely identify his friends and neighbors as witches.
What does reputation mean to John Proctor?
Reputation is the common opinion held about someone based on their behavior and character . ... He values his reputation over his life. Early in the play, John’s desire to preserve his good name keeps him from testifying against Abigail and putting a stop to the accusations. In the town John is a respected, holy man.
What is the theme of The Crucible quizlet?
A major theme in The Crucible is fear and hysteria . 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 proof.
What theme does John Proctor represent in The Crucible?
The theme of guilt is related to the progress in John Proctor’s character in the play. He is ashamed of the infidelity committed in the past and wants to bury it deep in the heart as if it never existed. He fails to relegate his guilt to the background.
What is the theme in Act 1 of The Crucible?
In Act I, Scene 1, Miller sets the stage for The Crucible by introducing the four most important themes: deception, possession, greed, and the quest for power . The “unseen” scene in the woods, which takes place before the action of the play, figuratively sets the stage.
Who is concerned with their reputation in The Crucible?
The main two who cared about their reputation would be Abigail and John . Many characters in “The Crucible” are concerned about their reputations. Two of the main characters especially concerned with the betrayal of their reputations are Abigail and John.
How does Abigail protect her reputation?
She is a girl that will drink blood to kill someone, accuse people of witchcraft, and have a affair. ... Protecting her reputation motivates Abigail Williams to accuse others of being a witch. She will say or do anything to cover up the fact that she took a blood charm to kill John Proctor’s wife , whom she had affair with.
How important is one’s reputation?
Reputation determines the social standing of a person in the society . It is a measure of his or her influence. A person enjoying good reputation is definitely preferred for better jobs and for taking up leadership roles. ... Reputation is also important for business organizations.
Is religion a theme in The Crucible?
In The Crucible, religion is a theme that aids in developing the story , it helps to begin the story and build the plot. Religion in the story is what, overall, pushes many people to talk about witchcraft, and blame it on others.
Is witchcraft a theme in The Crucible?
In Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible’, witchcraft is the main conflict of the play . Set in a Puritan Massachusetts Colony in the year 1692, most anything that cannot be solved by the church or a doctor is unnatural. The first thing that comes to mind is witchcraft, which the punishment for is hanging unless you confess.
What’s the meaning of theme in literature?
A literary theme is the main idea or underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work . The theme of a story can be conveyed using characters, setting, dialogue, plot, or a combination of all of these elements.
What is another word for reputation?
OTHER WORDS FOR reputation
1 regard , name. 2 fame, distinction, renown, esteem, honor, recognition.
What was Reverend Parris mostly concerned about?
Reverend Parris is most concerned about his reputation with everyone, he doesn’t want to give his enemies any ammunition against him . When Reverend Parris leaves the room, Abigail, Mercy, Mary, and Betty briefly talk in private.
How does John Proctor save his reputation?
The only way to do this is to ruin his all-important good reputation by confessing to the affair . John willingly exposes his own adultery, thus sacrificing his name for the good of the woman he loves.
Where do these common themes show up in the text in The Crucible?
In the case of a play like The Crucible, themes are revealed mainly through the dialogue of the characters . They’re also revealed though events in the plot.
Who is to blame for the hysteria in The Crucible Act 1?
In the Crucible by Arthur Miller, Abigail Williams is to blame for the mass hysteria in Salem because she wants to be with John Proctor, she tries to kill Elizabeth, and she tries to save her name.
Is the theme one word?
A theme is a message or main idea that the writer wants the reader to remember after reading his/her work. Most stories, plays, novels, and poems have more than one theme. ... A theme is not ONE WORD .
What message is Arthur Miller trying to convey in The Crucible?
In The Crucible, Arthur Miller’s message is that public hysteria based on fear destroys people’s lives .
What are some themes Miller’s works approach?
Anyone can discuss the major themes of guilt, disillusionment, corruption and compliance in Arthur Miller’s work, and practically everyone has, judging from the number of scholarly and popular books, high school and college term papers and half-empty reviews of the latest productions of “The Crucible” and “Death of a ...
What is your reputation?
Oxford Dictionary defines reputation as “ The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something .” Whether your business has a good reputation or a bad reputation is up to you. Today most of the people view the reputation of a brand through the lens of search engines, social media and word-of-mouth.
What does good reputation mean?
If you are considered trustworthy and kind , you have a good reputation. ... The noun reputation can also mean “being known for having a specific skill or characteristic.” For example, if you have a reputation in snow shoveling, your phone will soon be ringing off the hook with your lazy neighbors calling.
Why is Reverend Parris so worried about his reputation?
Why is Parris so worried about the evidence of witchcraft being discovered in his own house? Parris wants to remain minister and fears any evidence that may harm his reputation . ... He sees that Parris is more concerned with keeping his position as minister than with practicing his true religion and devotion to God.
How does Abigail change throughout the Crucible?
The relationship between Abigail and John Proctor changes even further over the course of the play; by Act 3, Abigail no longer cares about John as much and makes no move to halt his arrest and hanging for witchcraft.
What lessons can be learned from The Crucible?
- An understanding of the limitations and benefits of the genre of drama. ...
- An awareness of how group hysteria starts and what it means to be part of something beyond your control. ...
- An idea of the values and world view of Puritan America.
Is reputation more important than character?
“ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation , because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” -John Wooden.
What happens with Abigail at the end?
What does Abigail do at the end of the play? She kills herself. She flees Salem, after robbing her uncle .
Why is John hesitant about signing the paper?
Why is John hesitant about signing the paper? He knows that his confession is a lie, and he refuses to ruin his name (reputation) in the eyes of those people who know that he is a good man.
What message does Danforth’s behavior convey in Act IV?
reputations were ruined by irresponsible accusations. Judge Danforth’s behavior in Act IV of “The Crucible” conveys a message that... ... those in power tend to act in the interest of preserving power.
