Act 2- Proctor's house. Role of Elizabeth

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Drama

Georgia Burne 1JW

The Crucible

        The crucible is set in the early 1920’s in a place called Salem in Massachusetts America. The story is based on the problem of witchcraft; to be a witch or warlock in those days was unforgivable. The people living in Salem were all strict Puritans and anything un-natural was said to be wrong. Anyone with any evidence of another being “in contact with the devil” was immediately taken to court for a case, they could be imprisoned for many years or worse killed. As you can imagine this arose a great deal of problems including people’s greed or jealousy taking over their moral beliefs. People would accuse others to get what they wanted e.g. land.

        Act 2- Proctor’s house. Role of Elizabeth

Elizabeth- “What keeps you so late? It’s almost dark.”

        At this point in the story Elizabeth still has a slightly higher status than her husband, and has done for quite a while; this is because he is the one that has sinned and still needs to watch his step if he wants to keep her as his wife. As she walks in from singing to the children, she will be looking at her husband at first, then look out side swiftly when she says “It’s almost dark.”

        She asks a question about his work to be polite, not necessarily interested so will be busy with something on the table, e.g. a candle stick. When she has to respond to Proctor asking if the boys are asleep she will look up from what she is doing and answer while walking quickly over to the fireplace. She answers vaguely to Proctors wishing for a “fair summer.”

        When Proctor asks if she “is well today” She turns around with the plate of his food and smiles kindly and responds “I am” Although not returning the question. She then nods at the plate and tells him it is rabbit. She then pulls out a chair and sits by him watching him sit down to eat. Her eyes never leave him apart from to look at the rabbit describing how painful it was for her to “strip her.”  While she watches him taste it, there is a look of slight anticipation on her face to see his respond. She is still sitting up right facing him, perfect posture. It is at this point that their statuses are equal, she wants praise from him. Which when she gets she blushes and smiles, but asks for more; so asks- “it’s tender?”  Maybe leaning slightly further forward, closing the distance that is between them.

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        After proctor tells her that he means to please her, the eye contact becomes more intense for a split second but soon disappears. Her facial expression is of fake happiness maybe even slight sadness. As she replies she looks at Proctor for the beginning of the line “I know it…” but then looks down when she says “John.” Indicating it is very hard for her to say. When Proctor tries to kiss her she does not lean in towards it but sits very still and up right in her chair, looking away. She receives it but does not return it. ...

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