Next we see that the stage directions instruct Giles to be “half carried in to the Vestry room by Herrick”. This would definitely alert the audience as it shows how physical force was more accepted in those days.
There is then a contrast shown between the townspeople’s reaction to Giles and their reaction to the entrance of Danforth. On the appearance of Giles there is uproar, but on the appearance of Danforth the crowd falls silent. This silence not only creates tension in the audience but it shows how people had much more respect for those of a higher authority.
Much conspiracy is included in this scene when Proctor is being questioned. This is emphasised by the many rather cryptic and testing questions that Danforth fires at him. For example, when Proctor says that he surely is a Christian, Parris straight away remarks,
“Such a Christian that will not come to Church but once in a month!”
This instantly puts Proctor in a difficult situation and his tension would surely be felt amongst the audience.
At one point, Danforth narrows his eyes when questioning Proctor. This shows a sense of distrust and can be linked to the theme of the individual and society because of the pressure on Proctor to conform to societies expectations.
They also attempt to undermine Proctor and make him feel insecure. Cheever says,
“He plough on Sunday Sir.”
Ploughing on Sunday was not looked upon as a good thing because it was counted as work. Sunday’s are supposedly a ‘day of rest’ and John Proctor has broken that rule. They instantly pick up on this and John has to explain why he did it and try to convince them that he surely does love God. This would make the audience feel tense as they want Proctor to be freed without being charged because really he is a good man. This links with the theme of ‘the individual and society’ because Proctor has not conformed to society’s expectations and is beginning to suffer the consequences.
This tension is also emphasised by the many silences that occur throughout this scene and the rest of Act Three. For example, Danforth says to Proctor,
“I judge nothing. (Pause. He keeps watching Proctor, who tries to meet his gaze.) “I tell you straight, Mister…”
These silences create tension and unrest in the audience because they instantly wonder why there is no talking and what is going on.
There is much emphasis on lying throughout this Act, mainly highlighting the fact that Elizabeth Proctor will never lie. We can see this when Proctor finds out his wife may be pregnant and Danforth says,
“There be no sign of it- we have examined her body.”
Then Proctor says,
“But if she says she is pregnant then she must be! That woman will never lie, Mr Danforth!”
When Danforth questions this, Proctor says,
“Never, Sir, never.”
The repetition of the word ‘never’ really highlights the fact the Proctor trusts his wife to never lie. However we know that later in the play she does which causes a lot of tension. This also ties in with the theme of ‘justice and truth’ because we later see that Elizabeth lies to try and get her husband freed.
There is also a tense atmosphere created when Danforth reads the deposition and there is a silence following it. This shows that he has read something that has maybe shocked him in a way, causing him to be rather speechless after. This would definitely create tension throughout the audience because they would want to know what it was that he had read.
However, the uncomfortable tension of this scene is later relaxed when Giles Corey is being questioned by Danforth about his deposition. It is quite humorous and there is much inconsequential detail included. For example, Giles gets angry and says,
“A fart on Thomas Putnam, that is what I say to that!”
The audience would have found this quite amusing; relaxing the tension and creating a calmer atmosphere once again.
We can see here that there were many disagreements and quarrels between neighbours. These quarrels were often over land issues and can be linked to the theme of ‘The individual and society’.
There is a quite a lot of repetition included later in this scene when Hale and Danforth are talking. They repeat the words, “fear” and “country” a number of times within four sentences. The word “fear” would definitely create tension in the audience because as soon as it is mentioned they would feel on edge as to why it is being said so often.
Soon after we see that Hale changes sides and goes against what the girls are saying. He decides to believe the truth, not what he personally wants to believe. Danforth can’t quite believe that Hale is changing sides and says,
“Mr Hale, believe me; for a man of such terrible learning you are most bewildered- I hope you will forgive me.”
This shows how Danforth is almost pleading with Hale to stay on his side of the situation. Tension in the audience would be felt here because the fact that Hale is going against what Danforth believes could create trouble.
Also, when Danforth is attempting to make the girls confess he uses coercion. He says,
“But if she speak true, I bid you drop now your guile and confess your pretence, for a quick confession will go easier with you.”
He is trying to make the confess, even if they aren’t guilty, by telling them that they will be in less trouble. Nowadays, this method is not allowed to be used but we can link in to the theme of “Justice and truth” because the girls can confess to something they maybe didn’t do and get in to less trouble than if they denied doing it.
The court then turns its intimidating ways to Abigail Williams when Proctor is trying to convict her. Danforth disagrees with Proctor but then Proctor says,
“In the sight of the congregation she were twice this year put out of this meetin’ house for laughter during prayer.”
Laughter during prayer was completely against social convention and would be looked down upon greatly. The audience would feel very tense as soon as they hear this because it puts Abigail in a very bad position and makes her look even more of a bad person. It can also be linked to the theme of ‘The individual and society’ because we are once again shown the strength of the pressure on individuals to conform to society’s expectations.
Furthermore, we then see Abigail break social conventions again when she threatens Danforth,
“Let you beware, Mr Danforth. Think you be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it! There is-”
She is getting incredibly enraged with Danforth and for a girl to challenge the court in that way was also frowned upon. Again this would create tension in the audience because they would be keen to see what will now happen to Abigail, and it can again be linked to the theme of “The individual and society.”
However, the court do eventually see the other side to Abigail- that she is not all sweet and innocent like she makes out to be.
There is a lot of imperative text such as “hold”, which reinforces the strength and power of the court and causes tension because they create a very orderly and strict atmosphere.
When Elizabeth enters and begins to be questioned she answers in very short sentences, sometimes just one word in length. For example,
“That is true, sir.”
This shows her vulnerability and weak nature.
She also makes many pauses,
“She—dissatisfied me. (Pause) And my husband.”
These pauses create tension because it shows that she is very unsure of what she is saying and is feeling incredibly uncomfortable. The relationship between Elizabeth and Danforth is very tense in this scene.
At one point, after Elizabeth breaks herself off he begins losing his patience with her,
“Woman, look at me! Where she slovenly? Lazy? What disturbance did she cause?”
This is very brutal and the quick questions he fires at her would not only make Elizabeth feel even more tense, but make the audience feel tense because they would be worried about Elizabeth and what is going to happen to her.
Elizabeth is obviously trying to hide the fact that her husband slept with Abigail because she wants to protect him from the charge of adultery. She is trying her best to avoid lying until Danforth holds her face in his hands and says,
“Look at me! To your own knowledge, has John Proctor ever committed the crime of lechery!”
Elizabeth does not speak but then he repeats himself,
“Answer my question! Is your husband a lecher!”
Here the tension would be almost at its greatest because the audience would be incredibly eager to see if Elizabeth lies or not. Elizabeth then says very faintly,
“No, sir.”
These two words would have a devastating effect on the audience because they know that John Proctor has already confessed to lechery which means Elizabeth is lying. We have been told on a number of occasions that Elizabeth will never lie and here she has which would transfix the audience in tension.
Then, when Elizabeth realises that John Proctor has already confessed to it she says, as she is removed from the court room,
“Oh, God!”
She is blaspheming which is strongly against the religious conventions of that time.
Hysteria breaks loose when Abigail is convinced that she can see a bird being controlled by Mary Warren on the ceiling. All the girls begin screaming creating a huge crescendo and build up as they all leave the court room.
Abigail is then left, alone in the middle of the room screaming. Here the tension in the audience would be incredible and they would be transfixed on Mary.
Once again the tension is broken by Proctor striding towards her but it quickly builds up again as Mary notices him and rushes away screaming in horror. She shouts,
“Don’t touch me- don’t touch me!”
Here the girls all stop at the door and Mary rushes to Abigail sobbing. She has gone back to Abigail’s side and this would create tension in the audience because it is unexpected after everything Abigail has put Mary Warren through.
The tension continues to build again as Hale decides to quit the court and slams the door behind him. Danforth shouts after him,
“Mr Hale! Mr Hale!”
This is the last line of Act three and really leaves the ending of the act at a peak of tension. It would leave the audience very tense and wanting to know what happens in the remainder of the play to the girls and the others.
Overall, we can see that Arthur Miller successfully uses many ways to create tension, suspense and frustration in the audience throughout Act Three of ‘The Crucible’. The tension is caused by a variety of methods ranging from the use of silences to mass hysteria between Abigail and the girls. However, we can see that all the ways used by Miller are extremely successful.
