In The Crucible, logic and reason play an active role as the counterpart to the fear that fills the Puritan society and the characters themselves. The characters Proctor and Hale represent the voice of reason against the voices of fear. Though they are outnumbered by those who give in to the paranoia, they stick with what they believe is right despite knowing they will become a pariah. On the other hand, Danforth and Parris represent the driving forces of fear and paranoia that plagues the minds of the people in their society. Society’s reaction to their driving force is to comply because to do otherwise is to be an outcast, and to be an outcast could result in one’s death. The most prominent voice of logic and reason in this fear filled …show more content…
Parris and Danforth are those voices that are heard loud and clear, therefore swaying the majority to side with them in their fear. In the beginning, Parris is the preeminent character conveying the fear. Though the paranoia is evident within his character, it is his selfishness and pride that amplify that emotion. Like Proctor, Parris values his name and reputation. However, unlike Proctor, Parris lets his pride impede him from thinking logically. “...do you understand that I have many enemies?,” then Parris goes on to say, “There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit. Do you understand that?” (Miller 10). At this point within the play, Parris’ daughter is more concerned with how others will view him, rather than hearing the truth about what Abigail and his daughter, Betty, had done. Upon gaining the knowledge that they had committed an abomination and it will bring unwanted attention upon him, Parris seeks out an easy way to avoid it, rather than doing what is right. As the plot goes on, Parris only weakens as the situation grows more out of control. “You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me. I dare not step outside at night!” (Miller 119). Accusations of witchcraft result in hangings and as these hangings go on, Parris becomes more and more threatened. The worry in in his mind is not focused on the possibility of innocent’s deaths, it is focused on …show more content…
The desire to fit in is within everyone to some degree. Although it is not morally correct, the people go along with the majority to feel as though they belong. In this case, society as a whole gives into their fear or goes along with the majority because if they do otherwise, they will be seen as an outcast. To be an outcast in this time will very nearly get one killed. Outcasts are easily seen as dangerous and could effortlessly be accused of witchcraft. Mary Warren is a character who is faced with a choice to either make the right decision, or give in and confess. If Mary makes the right decision to tell the truth, her chance of getting hanged increases. However, if Mary gives in and confesses, she will not be an outcast and her chance of living becomes more prominent. In the end, Mary Warren confesses and goes against Proctor’s word. The pressure of her imminent fate breaks her and she blatantly lies in order to save her own life. To Proctor, she says, “You’re the Devil’s man!” (Miller 110). This corroborates Proctor’s impending death. Logic and reason is the definite counterpart to fear and paranoia, especially seen in The Crucible, and the Puritan society itself. The main characters in this play either see logic and reason, or give in their fear of the unknown. The society around these characters feel the need to fit in, therefore they follow those voices that speak louder to them and those surrounding.
He feared if the truth got out that he would lose his status, his power, his strength. To escape this feeling, rather than face the truth, he lied and went along with the story that the girls were “possessed”. Now Reverend Parris feared embarrassment, awkward of ashamed feeling. But is does not compare to the fear of your life. This led to the “confessions” that were lies.
Zi Liu Ms. Elder College English 11 The Crucible Break Assignment ACT ONE 1. Why did the Salem settlement need a theocracy? Why had the settlers begun to turn toward individualism?
Back in the late sixteen hundreds the people during that time are very strict on religion. During the time a colony in the Americas called the puritans believed in witchcraft. People that are accused are guilty till proven innocent. In the Crucible it portrays injustice by how Danforth is not following court that is ruled by religion, Abigail intimidating the court, and the accused not having proper court rights. The following reasons will explain why the crucible is injustice.
A paradox is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or obvious but may include a hidden truth. It is also used to illustrate an opinion or statement contrary to accepted traditional ideas. Authors often use paradoxes in their works to make them more interesting. In the play, The Crucible, Arthur Miller presents the audience with a paradox, which he developed from the Salem witchcraft trials. In the small town of Salem, a theocracy was created for good purposes.
His own worries are expressed when Parris exclaims, “But if you trafficked with the spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will and they will ruin me with it”(Miller 1131). He knows that if people were to find out, he could lose everything he worked for. Therefore, Parris does everything in his power to at least prove someone guilty, and in the process, completely goes against the morals he teaches. He is seen as a Godly man who is supposed to teach integrity. However, instead he becomes a man that cares less about the truth and more of preserving his own
Many counterparts can be drawn between good and evil in The Crucible, and Miller’s juxtaposition of the characters shows the audience how one person acting with integrity can influence a society for good, and vice versa. Reverend Parris is an example of somebody who is extremely concerned with his standing in Salem village. He is afraid that when the people hear
In The Crucible, John Proctor the protagonist, becomes a victim of the witch trials when his wife Elizabeth, is accused of witchcraft. In order to free his wife, Proctor must convince Judge Danforth of his wife’s innocence. Judge Danforth does not sign condemnations lightly and takes meticulous inspection of his cases to determine the guilty party. He is also a highly religious man who takes matters between God and men seriously. It is because of Danforth’s dedication to the law and God that Proctor utilizes ethos, logos, and pathos to persuade him.
In the book, Parris is describing as a selfish person. For example, “Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character. I have given you a home, child. I have put clothes upon your back—now give me an upright answer. Your name in the town—it is entirely white, is it not?”
After continuous pressuring Mary Warren replies with ‘I cannot, they’ll turn on me— “showing us the mob has driven fear into people and how Marry is afraid to tell the truth in the case everyone will turn on her and blame her. Mary’s feeble attempt to recompense backfires, so when Abigail uses the poppet to blame it on Elizabeth, making Mary feel even worse thus she agrees to go with proctor to testify against Abigail in court. Later after agreeing to go to court to support Proctor Mary is asked who is at fault and in fear replies pointing to proctor “You’re the devil’s man!” (act three, page 119). This demonstrates how the fear of the mob and the overwhelming pressure from the Abigail makes her turn from the truth.
Reverend Hale and Judge Danforth are two authoritative figures in The Crucible whose roles in society are to lead the community in the ways and likeness of God so that the people of Salem can, basically, be good Puritans. Despite their similar intentions, there are also blaring differences which distinctly separate the two and their beliefs. To start, both Hale and Danforth work chiefly to serve God and lead his people on Earth to live holy and just lives. When the question of the Devil and witchcraft arise within Salem, both men come to investigate and cleanse the town of evil. While Judge Danforth considers himself “a minister of the Lord” and does “not take a life without there be proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience
Parris is dynamic like John, but for the majority of the story he sacrifices his integrity like his niece Abigail. Not is it until the end of the story Reverend Parris realizes what he has done was wrong. " Go to him! He rushes out the door, as though to hold back his fate. Proctor!
Under the pressure of the court Mary breaks and says while pointing at proctor “My name, he want my name. ‘I’ll murder you’ he says, ‘if my wife hangs! We must go and over throw the court,’ he says!” (194). She completely changes her stance and prosecutes Proctor because she is scared of being dissent and wants to conform to everyone else.
I have often wondered if the Devil be in it somewhere; I cannot understand you people otherwise.” (Miller, 30) His dislike influenced other people of the village to question Parris’s authority such as Giles Corey. His death had the most influential impact on the village because when he passed away, Parris and the trials are overthrown which may signify his impact on the society. This frees the next generations of the corrupt minister and the unjust
The play, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller demonstrates the implications of a society in complete chaos over an irrational fear of witchcraft in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. Fear plays an immense role in the way people make their decisions, such as when the characters of Danforth and Mary Warren resort to hypocrisy when no other options remain. Danforth and Mary Warren both embody hypocrisy, as seen when Mary says she cannot lie anymore and then lies when she becomes scared for her life, and Danforth when saying lying will send a person to Hell, but then forcing people to choose between lying and death. Mary Warren exemplifies hypocrisy extraordinarily well in the scene when she and Proctor travel to the courthouse so she can confess that the girls have pretended everything and they never actually saw spirits.
Parris’ fickle persona throughout Miller’s play, which reflects his interest in self-security, contrasts his desire for safety with his requirement to be reasonable through his reversal of his word. Originally, Miller crafts Parris’ character in opposition of the Witch Trials because Parris does not want to be associated with such a sin. However, when the Witch Hunt becomes a mark of fame, Parris