However, using today's less rigid religious standards make the outcome of the trials seem ridiculous and completely unjust. Today, most people do not consider witchcraft a reality, and so, basing a court decision on the confession of bewitched young women seems almost ludicrous. As critic Bloom maintains, "Today's audience cannot take the possibility of witchcraft seriously; the implication for us is that no enlightened citizen of any age would be able to take it seriously" (Bloom 45). Thus, if the reader places himself or herself in the 17th century, the verdicts against the accused might make more sense, but they still indicate a lack of justice and reliance on the law. The American people trust the courts for the most part, and trust them to make impartial and balanced decisions. Up until the decisions, most of the people of Salem trusted the courts as well. The judge follows the doctrines of the courts of the time, and gives confidence he will make an informed and just decision, at least until he states that he believes in the supernatural. He says, "You know, Mr. Proctor, that the entire contention of the state in these trials is that the voice of Heaven is speaking through the children?" (Miller 82). Later he says, "I tell you straight, Mister, I have seen marvels in this court. I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits; I have seen them stuck with pins and slashed by daggers" (Miller 84). Thus, he bases his decision on belief rather than fact. A decision based solely on the testimony of questionable persons,...
The court system was not impartial, and people suffered because of the hysteria that took over a community. It is interesting to note that Harold Bloom notes the people of Salem had faith in the justice system, but in reality, the justices of the Massachusetts Bay Colony were not trained in law, in fact, they ruled according to the word of the Bible rather than legal precedent or understanding (Bloom 64-65).
Crucible Dramatic Tension in the Crucible One of the reasons that The Crucible is such a successful play is that the drama is established early. A consideration of the first 20 pages of the play will show that Arthur Miller creates dramatic tension in the first scene and establishes the themes, setting, and plots that will continue throughout the play. The play opens the day after the girls were seen dancing in the
He was labeled for a belief that he did not openly admitted subsisting to; he was labeled based on the fact that he refused to testify against an ideology. It is not surprising, then, that the primary message of "The Crucible" resonated his thoughts and feelings about the McCarthy administration's containment policy against Communism. The arguments he presented in the play showed how Miller viewed the government's offensive action against
In Act III of the play, Miller describes the vestry of the Salem Meeting House, lit only by candles, which makes it possible that such a vessel as an earthen lamp could be present in this room. Lastly, the title could refer to a severe test or trial. For instance, when the girls are placed on trial before their Puritan elders, they experience much trauma and tribulation; also, the character
Intolerance to Difference: Social Realities and Norms in the Crucible, The Guest, And the Old Chief Mshlanga Human societies have, throughout the years, established norms, values, and artifacts that are collectively agreed-upon by its members. The culture of a society can be both advantageous and disadvantageous to its people. Norms and values held important by members of a society can be advantageous in that it provides people with social structure and
QUESTION #2: Was John Proctor essentially a good man? Yes, Proctor was a good man in his heart; he made a mistake by getting involved with Abigail, but when she came back to him hoping to rekindle the flame between them, he turned down the chance for another sexual liaison with a woman much younger than his wife. When the community began to turn hysterical, Proctor was a voice of
Crucible and Guilty by Suspicion McCarthyism: The American Witch-Hunts The fear of communism ran rampant amongst the United States during the late 1940s to 1950s; throughout the nation, the fear of communist spies infiltrating the country caused the Second Red Scare, which was spearheaded by Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy. This phenomenon became so well-publicized that its story has been immortalized in film and literature. Such is the case in Arthur Miller's 1952
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now