Arthur Miller, 1953 Essay Example

Arthur Miller, 1953 Essay Miller choose to have this moment, in Act 4, because it shows how Proctor dies after the moment. In this moment, Proctor is signing a confession to show he has met the Devil, and to say he has not had an affair, [PROCTOR now lays the paper down and signs his name]. It links what has gone before, because he was locked in jail, and this shows how he is going to save his life by signing a confession paper, I confess to God, and God has seen my name on this! It is enough! Not just because it is relevant in the story, but it is a good device for the audience as well, because it gives the audience a sense that he is heroic. With this scene it shows first how he gives up and signs a confession paper, but then he has a change of heart and rips the paper [hysterically, as though the tearing paper were his life], saying he has never seen the Devil. This gives the audience a sign of relief, because he has done the right thing. This moment will give the audience a final decision about how good Proctor is for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. We will write a custom essay sample on Arthur Miller, 1953 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Arthur Miller, 1953 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Arthur Miller, 1953 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer But some people may think he is not a good and heroic man, because of his affair with Abigail Williams, and that Proctor is letting people have pain, because he is a very important man to his friends, family and Elizabeth, [ELIZABETH, in a burst of terror, rushes to him and weeps against his hand]. Your left to decide how good he is. For this moment, Miller may have shown Proctor as Jesus. He has given his name up to show his honour to his friends who are going to die showing there innocence. Jesus is the same, a good man, letting himself die for the causes and deaths of his fellow friends. It is now six months later and autumn, though the American term fall, used by Miller, seems far more suitable considering where we have now come to in the play As well as the darkness of the setting, we are struck by the emptiness of the room. Miller mentions no furniture other than two benches and a lantern on the wall. Here life is stripped down to the bare minimum. It is in this setting that Proctor will have to search his conscience, his inner self, and make the crucial but basic decision whether to live or die. In one interpretation, a video 1996 Nicholas Hytner film, the setting is outside. It is beside the sea, which I guess is on the edge of Salem. It is early in the morning because the sun is starting to rise up. It was set at the seaside because it shows that the play is ending on a good sunny note. Also the sea is better than the Salem meeting house, because it shows the rise of Proctor. It is ironic because the seaside shows good, and is like a rise to heaven, another reason for the sea to be chosen, but Proctor is dieing, not showing good. Although he is dieing and rising up to heaven, he is dieing like his loyal friends. The background of the sea is lighter, than in the courtroom, the sea makes Proctor look more heroic to the audience. As this key moment is set in autumn, and it is in the morning, when the sun is coming through. Light is not much used in the key moment, but until John Proctor says his name is important, Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! , and then he rips the piece of paper there is a stage direction [hysterically, as though the tearing paper were his life] this shows lightning coming through. As we know light is shown shining down on Jesus when he heals somebody, light comes through the windows to show how good Proctor is. In the interpretation, the sun comes up and shines, again showing Proctor as Jesus, doing the right thing to stick with what is truthful, that he has not seen the Devil. In one interpretation, a video 1996 Nicholas Hytner film, music is there as dramatic devices. The stances are relevant to. When Proctor is answering to Danforths questions if he has seen certain people with the Devil. Danforth is standing up behind a small table, and Cheever and Parris are there, are three wearing black. Proctor is in very old cloths, all thilthy, but this gives him more power, firstly it shows he is given up, that he has seen the Devil, his cloths taking him down, even though he is saving his life, but the cloths are significant because Jesus wore bad cloths, ripped and torn, but he was dieing for his fellow friends like Proctor. The three behind the table: Cheever on the left Danforth in the middle, and Parris on the right, looks like they are the high people, there are high in reputation, but Proctor is low, and only wearing bad ripped cloths. When he rips the paper, there is a drumbeat, and this changes everything, because then Proctor is more of the higher reputation. Music is used when Danforth asks if he has seen certain people with the Devil, he carries on saying no. His no is important to show how weak he has become, so music makes it more dramatic to emphasise on the rhythm of Danforth and Proctor saying no. Before my key moment starts, which is when he starts to sign the paper Proctor starts to get questioned by Danforth Mr Proctor, have you seen the Devil in your life? and then the dramatic devices is used upon Proctor [PROCTORS jaws lock. ] and also afterwards [through his teeth, his face turned from REBECCA] all shows how weak Proctor is. His knows that all of this is wrong to confess, but he is saying it, and going ahead like his wife had told him. The stage direction which says [astonished] when Rebecca is talking, is no surprise, because she knows, Elizabeth knows and Proctor himself knows that he is doing the wrong thing, by confessing. Now the Key moment starts when Proctor is signing his name on a paper, to show his confession, the stage direction says [CHEEVER goes to PROCTOR, the confession and a pen in hand. PROCTOR does no look at it] which again proves he is doing the wrong thing, which he knows. The stage direction after says [after glancing at the confession] and then the quote You have all witnessed it it is enough. this shows how he is trying to resist the paper, and thinks that the paper of his confession is a lot worse then to say it out to the judges. He knows this confession is wrong, but he does not want a paper to give evidence he confessed he has been with the Devil. It makes others, who died, annoyed and disappointed with Proctor; he is a good man and would die for his loyal friends, he is a good man. After that he starts to sign the paper with the stage direction [His breast heaving with agonized breathing. PROCTOR now lays the paper down and signs his name] which shows the impact of Proctor. He is full of anger and knows that he has been beaten to sign the confession paper. So this is a dramatic device, to show how he hates this paper, and does not want to sign it. Danforth is eager to have this paper, but does not to show it. He wants to tell everybody that Proctor has confessed, and is a good man, even though he is not. Miller choose this stage direction, [perplexed, but politely extending his hand], to make Danforth look less eager then he usually is, but Proctor takes his the wrong way again. He thinks that Danforth is going to take it away and show everybody, but thats not true as seen [as though PROCTOR did not understand], and Proctor shows weakness and gives away slightly, that he did not want for this to all go through. Others did not complain any further to show they have confessed as said by Proctor after You will not use me! I am no Sarah Good or Tituba, I am John Proctor! As this argument carries on Danforth get suspicious [with suspicion] and is wondering why Proctor is resisting for Danforth to take the paper. Proctor gives in, and [with a cry of his soul] Proctor says it is his name, and this shows that he does not want to give his name corruption; he wants his friends, who are dead or dieing, to know he is better then the confessors. Danforth is so astonished, [pointing at the confession in Proctors hand] and he answers, Is that document a lie? and [PROCTOR is motionless] and [PROCTOR does not reply]. He realises he has said the wrong thing, and he has given in, not saving his life. At this point he is in a dilemma, to say he has seen the Devil, or he has not. Before he was going through that he has seen the Devil, in the middle of this key moment, he is in the dilemma, and so he must now say he has not seen the Devil, which means torture. This is true because the stage direction, and dramatic device is used [His breast heaving, his eyes staring, PROCTOR tears the paper and crumples it, and he is weeping in fury, but erect]. He has though that this is the true and desirable answer he wants to show. He shows now he is strong, and the paper is historic as well [hysterically as though the tearing paper were his life]. The paper is a dramatic device because it represents the confession, but it is a lie. When he rips it he rips the confession, and the lie, which represents Danforths triumph over Proctor. It allows use to see Proctors change of heart. Contrasting considerations of self-interest lead Danforth and Parris to beg John Proctor to confess to witchcraft. While Parris fears for his safety, Danforth operates to defend the court from any more attacks. The change in Danforths open desire is very important because previously, Danforth meant to confirm the goodness of the court, but here he suggests corruption to protect the political value of the government; he worries if postponing the executions, it will show weakness on him and part of the court. By prompting Proctor to give a false confession, Danforth indicates that he likely believes the witchcraft charges are false. This shows how the witch hunts have gained a life of their own; the reputation and hierarchy lead the court to continue with the case and executions even when the original delay of the trials was a bad idea and even when the people who run the trials are concerned about the power of the charges. When Proctor says, Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! this shows how he cares for his name like when he cleaned his name about his lechery, his affair with Abigail Williams. When he said, I have known her, sir. I have known her. which he releases his secret about his affair, and this is cleaning his name, like when he rips the paper and does not agree that he has seen the Devil. He is cleaning his name. Of course there is speech in the key moment, which is not truthful, but nobody is speaking truthful. Proctor saying he has meet with the Devil. As you can see by Danforth asking Mr Proctor. Did you bind yourself to the Devils service? and then Proctor saying I did. This we know is not true because before he was accused of seeing the Devil, all down to Mary. She is a weak person, and Abigail was tormenting her, showing the judges that Mary was hurting her, which is not true. Then when Mary was getting weaker and weaker, she gives in and says she has seen the Devil, but Proctor is been seeing the Devil as well Youre the Devils man! and then He come at night and every day to sign, to sign, to -. There is some dramatic irony involved in the key moment but it is not as strong as the first key moment I choose. The dramatic irony involved in this key moment is when Proctor says he has been with the Devil, even though he has not. He at first signed a paper for confession, showing he has seen the Devil. It is dramatic irony for the audience because Proctor is doing the wrong thing, and confessing for being accused, which is not true. Proctor would not usually do this, because he likes to keep his name clean from anything, which is why he teard down his name, that he had an affair with Abigail. But this time he did not tear down his name showing he has not seen the Devil, he tries to save himself I did. Conclusion The Crucible is always related to themes, because it is based on real true issues. Here are themes related to the two key moments: Reputation Reputation is very important in the religious Salem, where public and private goodness are important. In an atmosphere where reputation shows an important role, the fear of blame by friendship become s particularly evil. Focused on a high public reputation, the people of Salem fear that the sins of their friends and other important people will hurt their names. Some characters think their name is to be protected and their respective reputations. John Proctor especially thinks his name should not be harmed, and will tell the truth to keep his name clean. Early in the play, he has a chance to put a stop to the girls accusations, but his desire to keep his reputation makes him from testifying against Abigail. At the end of the play, however, Proctors need to keep his good name leads him to make the brave choice not to make a false confession and to go to his death without signing his name to something he hasnt done. By refusing to surrender his name, he frees himself for his earlier failure and dies with honour. Danforth is very powerful the Act 3 key moment Power- The witch trials allow many characters in the play who are previously edgy in the Salem society. In general, women are low ranked, doing the housework etc, compared to the male-dominated Sale. They have little options in life and work as servants for townsmen, until they can get married, and having kids. For this reason, Abigail is a slave to John Proctors sexual desire, but he strips away her purity when he commits adultery with her, and he provokes her nasty jealousy when he terminates their affair. Abigails accusations of witchcraft and Devil-worship immediately command the attention of the court. By supporting herself, in the eyes of others, with Gods will, she gains power over society, as do the other girls in her pack, and her word becomes incontrovertible, as do theirs. Accusations, Confessions, and Legal Proceedings- The witch trials are central to the action of The Crucible, and dramatic accusations and confessions fill the play. In the first act, before the hysteria begins, Parris accuses Abigail of dishonouring him, and he then makes a series of accusations against his parishioners. Giles Corey and Proctor respond in manner, and Putnam soon joins in, creating a group of accusation even before Hale arrives. The entire witch trial system relies on accusations, the only way that witches can be seen, and confessions, which provide the proof of the honesty of the court actions. Proctor attempts to break this with a confession of his own, when he admits to the affair with Abigail, but this confession is false from the accusation from Elizabeth. Proctors brave decision, at the end of the play, to die rather than confess to a fault that he did not do, he finally breaks the cycle. The court collapses afterwards, undone by the negative responses of its victims to spread lies. The Witch Trials and the Witch Hunt- There is hardly any symbolism within The Crucible, but, in total, the play can be seen as symbolic, the fear about communism. Miller has this matter in his play. In that while there were no actual witches in Salem, there were Communists. However, Millers concern in The Crucible is not with whether the accused actually are witches, but rather with the opposition of the court officials to believe that they are not. In light of the witch-hunt extremes, which hurt many innocents, this was felt strongly in Millers own time. Good and evil- One very important battle that is not very obvious in the story is with God and the Devil, being good and evil. The question is will the accused people be sent to heaven with the good God or will they burn in hell with the evil Satan? This is mainly what the whole play is based on. The puritan religion is the reason for why the people are being executed. The forces of good always tried to do what was best for everybody, even if it meant breaking some puritan laws. The evil group did whatever was best for them. They were greedy and had no consideration for others. The moment, which is most dramatic, is the 1st one in Act 3 because it leads up to a very important factor for the final Act. When Elizabeth says no, this is very relevant to the whole story because it shows Proctor was lying about his affair with Abigail Williams, and that she will not get charged for lying about the whole witchcraft. The story would of ended on Act 3 but it went on. This does not show why it is the most dramatic, but it is a good idea to make it the most dramatic moment, that is why I think Miller made this moment dramatic, because it is very important to the play. The play is a full of emotions for the audience, different all the way through. Miller takes the audience on this roller coaster ride by making them experience hatred, love, confusion and intrigue by using the characters as different tools. The audience are to have mixed feelings for certain characters, some members of the audience do not like Proctor for his adultery, others give him sympathy and think he is heroic at the end of the plays. The play in its entirety is an oblique comment on 1950s situation in America; it was not simply that, it has emotions and real characters. It is an intricate web of relationships and hidden priorities from each character, which together makes for a complex, but an enclosing play. The way the audience feels gets Millers message through. The play is relevant nowadays for many reasons: because it links with the situation in Afghanistan how people are tortured if they do not apply Sadam as the Prime Minister, also the film versions of the play it is exciting to watch because of the high tension and quite fast pace throughout, it incorporates dramatic irony to make the audience part of the action. The play is twisted and left on a cliffhanger, like soaps, which shows how the play is relevant to today and the audience of today. The whole thing about lechery and sexual interest can link to soaps and it is like a soap opera, and is artistically pleasing for the audience. The girls hysteria gives play excitement and activity, something physical to watch if you do not understand the words. The play can appeal to religious people, for new views and ideas, historians, real events, and people young adults, for excitement women, for love story The first key moment in Act 3 was the best. It is full of tension and at the end of the moment it ends with dramatic irony and irony. This moment catches me as the audience, and the way Elizabeth avoids the question, builds my interest in the story. When she says No, sir I wanted to go on, because I wanted to know what is going to happen now. The second key moment in Act 4 also was good; I found it hard for me as the audience. When he signed the paper of his confession, I though he has done the wrong thing, even though it is to save his life. Other people may disagree, but I think Hale was not so good as others would think. If I were him I would die a honourable man so I could be placed in history books, and known as a good man, instead of saving your life for a name. But then Proctor came to his senses and he changed his mind, which made the audience fell more relieved because he shows his true self, a heroic man, like Jesus, and dieing to show he is honourable and his loyalty with his friends who are going to be hanged. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading The Crucible, and even though it is about events that happened over 300 years ago, it still holds an uncanny relevance because, sometimes, we can see ourselves in Arthur Millers characters. Perhaps The Crucible can so relevant that it helps to stop terrible tragedies like the witch hunts happening again in the future.