In The Crucible, Arthur Miller is faulted with many structural flaws, underdeveloped characters, and being compared to communism, but it’s an impact of moral responsibility still stands. Nathan faults Miller with
poor character development
, which prevents an audience to sympathize with them.
What was the dilemma in the crucible?
As the play develops, John Proctor’s moral dilemma becomes evident:
he must decide whether to lie and confess to witchcraft in order to save his life, or to die an honest man, true to his beliefs
. John Proctor faces many decisions in response to his moral dilemma to try to save his life.
What does Miller criticize in the crucible?
Overall, Miller criticizes the
hypocritical, greedy, and vengeful nature of Salem’s Puritan society
through the main characters of Reverend Parris and Thomas Putnam.
Why is the crucible controversial?
The Crucible was often banned in the 1950s because the play is an
allegorical criticism of the US government’s actions during McCarthyism
. At the time, it was accused of being pro-communist and subverting traditional American values.
How does Act 2 of the Crucible criticize society?
He is so disgusted with Rev. Parris’s materialistic (golden candlesticks) and hell-fire preaching
. Miller uses these comments to show that society is often concerned with the exterior rather than the inner workings of man’s heart. Secondly, society’s greed which pits neighbor against neighbor is clear in Act 2.
What is the point of The Crucible?
The main purpose of The Crucible is
to draw parallels between the events of the Salem witch craze and what was happening in America at the time
of the play’s writing, during McCarthyism.
Is The Crucible a true story?
The Crucible is a 1953 play by American playwright Arthur Miller. It is a dramatized and
partially fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials
that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during 1692–93. … It is regarded as a central work in the canon of American drama.
What is Abigail’s moral dilemma in the crucible?
Abigail sees Tituba’s false confession as a way out of her own dilemma: if she also admits she’s a witch, she will be forgiven for casting charms in the woods with Tituba and her friends. Thus,
she falsely confesses to witchcraft
.
Why does Proctor choose his own goodness instead of confessing to an act he didn’t commit?
Proctor’s original decision (NOT “his goodness”) is
to lie in order to save himself
. It is when the confession is put in writing that Proctor hesitates at his lie. But Proctor’s eventual decision (“his goodness”) is to refuse to lie on paper.
Why does Elizabeth believe that John will be able to change anything by going into town?
Elizabeth originally wants John to go to Salem so
he can tell the court that he knows the
girls are lying. Then, when she finds out she was accused in court, she wants him to go to Salem to speak directly with Abigail. Elizabeth makes these requests with an eye towards correcting injustice and saving her own life.
Where is The Crucible banned?
1982 – Pennsylvania – Challenged at
Cumberland Valley High School
for “sick words from the mouths of demon-possessed people. It should be wiped out of the schools or the school board should use them to fuel the fire of hell.”
What lessons can we learn 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.
Why is it important to read The Crucible?
One of the most important reasons why The Crucible should be part of the curriculum is
because of its historical context
. Very few of the books read for class are based on historical events. Reading about these events is important because students can learn from mistakes made in the past and know better for the future.
Who holds the most power in The Crucible?
Abigail Williams
has the most power in The Crucible. Just one word from Abigail is enough to send an innocent person to their death if they are convicted as a witch. Abigail relishes her newfound power because as a young woman in a patriarchal, Puritan society, she’s never had any power before.
What are 3 themes in The Crucible?
- Theme #1. Reputation. Reputation is one of the major themes in the play, The Crucible. …
- Theme #2. Hysteria. …
- Theme #3. Power and Authority. …
- Theme #4. Guilt. …
- Theme #5. Portrayal of Women. …
- Theme #6. Deception. …
- Theme #7. Goodness. …
- Theme #8. Judgment.
What is the main idea of The Crucible Act 2?
In Act 2,
the value of reputation in Salem starts to butt heads with the power of hysteria and fear to sway people’s opinions
(and vengeance to dictate their actions). Rebecca Nurse, a woman whose character was previously thought to be unimpeachable, is accused and arrested.
