The Crucible: Arthur Miller builds up tension for the audience by a skilful use of dialogue, dramatic speeches, entrances and actions - By discussing at least one example of each from Act Two say how he does this.

The Crucible: Arthur Miller builds up tension for the audience by a skilful use of dialogue, dramatic speeches, entrances and actions. By discussing at least one example of each from Act Two say how he does this.

Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ is set in Salem, Massachusetts where they didn’t understand either medicine or science. They thought when someone became ill it was because either God was punishing them or witchcraft was at work. The Crucible is based on a group of teenage girls who are discovered dancing naked in the woods, playing with witchcraft. When the girls realised how severe their punishment would be, they claimed other members of the community possessed them. There was no defence against witchcraft. If people denied it they were hung, as they believed they were possessed by the devil. If people admitted it they were put in jail. Anyone who was accused had his or her life ruined. The group of girls lead by Abigail Williams began accusing perfectly innocent members of the community of witchcraft. Usually the people accused were outcasts such as beggars or old women who lived alone, but respectable women were finding they too were being accused. Take Elizabeth Proctor, she was accused because Abigail Williams wanted her out of the way so she could continue her affair with her husband John Proctor.

In Act two there is an immense row between Elizabeth and John Proctor about two main points: the fact that Elizabeth has been accused and Johns affair with Abigail. Miller expresses their anger by the vulgar language they use, the exclamations and the questions asked.

“Then you go and tell her she’s a Whore. Whatever promise she may sense – break it, John, break it.”

This was what Elizabeth said to John. This would astound the audience because Elizabeth was a respectable woman and would not be expected to use such ill-mannered language. The fact that ...

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“Then you go and tell her she’s a Whore. Whatever promise she may sense – break it, John, break it.”

This was what Elizabeth said to John. This would astound the audience because Elizabeth was a respectable woman and would not be expected to use such ill-mannered language. The fact that Elizabeth had used such language would make the audience unbelievably stunned; it would also increase the tension tremendously. Not only dose Elizabeth use foul language she orders John to go and break the relationship between Abigail and himself. This shows Elizabeth’s anger, as she is livid and not asking but ordering John to do as she wishes.

Elizabeth’s anger is also shown by the use or repetition:

“Oh, the noose, the noose is up!”

Elizabeth is scared as she has been accused and thinks she is going to be hung. She is hysterical and this is shown with the use of exclamations and repetition. This too would make the audience anxious.

Half way through Act 2 there is an enormous burst of stimulation and apprehension for the audience. This is when Giles and Francis burst in on a particularly anxious moment between John, Elizabeth and Hale. Giles and Francis intensify the tension by announcing the startling news that both their wives have been arrested. This comes as a shock because both their wives are exceptionally respectable women. The tension is show by the respondents using exclamations.

“Rebecca’s in the jail!”

This comes as a shock because like Elizabeth, Martha and Rebecca are highly regarded women. Now they have been arrested there is a grater chance that Elizabeth too will be arrested.

Miller raises suspense in Act 2 with the searching of the poppet. The searching of the poppet would raise tension for the audience, as they do not know what the poppet signifies. Throughout the searching the question ‘What signifies a poppet’ is asked many times. As the audience do not know what the poppet signifies it keeps them wondering what the commotion is about. When the poppet is found there is a needle stuck in its stomach. This would immediately raise tension, as this would have been a sign of witchcraft. Elizabeth would have been accused as using it as a voodoo doll. At this moment the audience would not know what either the poppet or the needle signifies. As the needle was found placed in the stomach of the poppet this was where Abigail Williams was stabbed as she sat to dinner in Reverend Parris’s house. This was hard proof of witchcraft. The action off stage is incredibly efficient. There is use of chains clanking I used to remind everyone that Elizabeth has been accused. This would still be a huge shock to them, as respectful women shouldn’t be chained up. The actions off staged are superior because it leaves the actions to the imaginations of the audience. Instead of all the actions happening visually, all they can here is the noises and words. It lets their imagination run free. This may lead the audience to thinking something more dramatic is going to happen and would instantaneously raise anticipation.

The final part of Act two consists of John Proctor’s speech. This speech is incredibly theatrical. The use of language and exclamations is extremely successful. The language is very descriptive and meaningful.

“We will slide together into our pit; you will tell the court what you know”

Her Proctor is saying he is such a bad man that when he slides into hell’s pit he is going to take Abigail Williams with him. He also uses enormously violent language with the use of exclamations to make the speech more effective.

“My wife will never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me!

This is very abusive. He is threatening Mary Warren that if she does not do as he wishes then he will bring her guts into her mouth. The actions also show John’s anger;

“(grasping her by the throat as though he would strangle her)”

Here he is so angry that he would actually kill her

“Now Hell and Heaven grapple on our backs, and all our old pretence is ripped away”

There is a battle between heaven and hell, good and evil. All their pretending is torn apart

“We are only what we always were, but naked now.”

This means they are still the same people but now all their secrets have been revealed.

“Aye, naked! And the wind, God’s icy wind, will blow!

All the truth has been publicized and there is nothing they can do but put up with the consequences for their actions. They are now vulnerable. John’s wife has been arrested and he is determined he is going to put everything right again. Here John’s actions and language show his anger extremely distinctly. His use of imagery makes it very clear for the audience to imaging what is happening.

I though this act was extremely successful. The use of vague understanding with the searching of the poppet keeps the audience in suspense, as they do not know what is so important. The efficiency if the language used throughout the scene is of high quality. I think the best part of the scene is the actions that take place off stage. I feel this is one of the most effective parts of the scene because it allows the imaginations of the audience to run wild.