Why does Miller include the characters Alfieri in
Why does Miller include the characters Alfieri in "A View From A Bridge?" The character Alfieri has a very important role in the play " A View From The Bridge." Alfieri acts both as a narrator and commentator but his main function is to offer ideas to the audience to set them thinking about the message of the play. Alfieri is a character in the play and yet his advice is objective and sympathetic. Alfieri is the first character to speak in the play; he therefore sets the scene and informs the audience the background to the action. He is a lawyer but in this area of Brooklyn the people distrust the law, he tells us "A lawyer means the law, and in Sicily, from where their fathers come, the law has not been a friendly idea since the Greeks were beaten". This speech immediately sets up tension between Alfieri, a representative of written law and the Italian immigrant community, who prefer to follow their own 'law', the Italian law of natural justice! Alfieri was born in Italy and tells us in his first speech that "I only came here when I was twenty-five." Because he grew up in Italy, Alfieri understands the other characters very well. They are all Italian immigrants and have a very similar background. The audience understands how fatalistic Alfieri is when he says "another lawyer.... sat there as powerless as I, and watched it run its bloody course." He is telling the audience
Examine Arthur Miller's presentation of the characters of Charley and Bernard in "Death of a Salesman". What do they contribute to the play as a whole?
Examine Miller's presentation of the characters of Charley and Bernard. What do you think they contribute to the play as a whole? On close examination of the characters of Charley and Bernard, their significance and contributions to the play as a whole become evident. Each character influences and changes the play in a unique way highlighting certain factors about the play, that would otherwise go unnoticed. After establishing the family and their home life, Miller then introduces to us Bernard in act one page 24 "Bernard enters in knickers. He is younger than Biff, earnest and loyal, a worried boy". Bernard is Charley's son, an academic child who works hard at school and tries to influence biff into doing the same "Biff, where are you? You're supposed to study with me today" (pg25), " you won't graduate" (pg25). Willy's immediate reaction is to mock Bernard showing that perhaps Willy doesn't place much emphasis on the value of education "what're you looking so anaemic about?" (pg25), "don't be a pest Bernard" (pg25). Instead of placing emphasis on education Willy places more emphasis on being well liked as he makes various references throughout the play "Bernard is not well liked, is he"(pg25), "that's because he likes you" (pg23), "Charley is not-liked, he's liked, but he's not-well liked" (pg23). It is also apparent that Bernard idolises Biff when they are both young,
Why Did the Salem Witch Hunt Occur Many American colonists brought with them from Europe a notion in witches and an intrigue with alleged manipulation with the devil. During the seventeenth century, people were executed for witchcraft
[Writer Name] [Supervisor Name] [Subject] [Date] Why Did the Salem Witch Hunt Occur Many American colonists brought with them from Europe a notion in witches and an intrigue with alleged manipulation with the devil. During the seventeenth century, people were executed for witchcraft all over the colonies, chiefly in Massachusetts. Various of the accused were women, inducing some recent historians to recommend that charges of witchcraft were a way of dominating women who endangered the present economic and social order at that time. In 1692 the famous Salem, Massachusetts, witchcraft trials took place, and that summer hundreds of people in the colony were taken into custody without any reason whatsoever. To comprehend the events of the Salem witch trials, it is essential to investigate the times in which allegations of witchcraft occurred. There were the everyday stresses of 17th-century life in Massachusetts Bay Colony. A strong creed in the devil, factions among Salem Village fanatics and antagonism with nearby Salem Town, a recent small pox epidemic and the intimidation of assault by warring tribes constructed a fruitful ground for fear and skepticism. The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 resulted in nearly 200 people imprisoned, 20 executed and a further 8 dying in prison. Most of the participants knew each other. Either blood or marriage tied some together. This was
Millers writing style in The Crucible portrays a story of suspense, action, and also an array of different writing techniques to maintain the readers interest.
What techniques does the author use to maintain the reader's interest throughout a prescribed text? 'The Crucible', written by Arthur Miller is a true story about the hysteria which led to the witch trials in Salem in 1692. It is about a town which instigates a hunt for witches that never existed. People were murdered for denying accusations of witchcraft. Miller's detailed use of characterisation, his in-depth analysis of symbolism, and thorough description of the reoccurring conflicts play a significant role in maintaining the reader's interest in the hysteria built around the witch hunts. John Proctor is by far the most decorated and strong willed character and becomes a 'Tragic Hero'. Proctor is a highly respected man in Salem; he is strongly admired by the townspeople for displaying personal traits such as courage and loyalty. Proctor's tragic flaw is that he committed adultery with Abigail Williams, Salem's troublemaker. This tragic flaw gives the reader the impression of Proctor being a lecher and a cheat. But when Proctor is sentenced to hang for being accused of witchcraft, his 'Tragic Hero' role is exhibited again. Proctor's refusal to sign the written confession provided by Deputy Governor Danforth and his colleague, Judge Hawthorne, unveils his heroism once more as he knows he will confront death. Proctor's reasoning for choosing death over confessing to a lie
Act 4 of The Crucible provides a powerfully dramatic conclusion to the play. How does Miller achieve this and how does he make the audience respond to John Proctor?
Post 1914 Drama. Act 4 of "The Crucible" provides a powerfully dramatic conclusion to the play. How does Miller achieve this and how does he make the audience respond to John Proctor? Arthur Miller has a great and opinionated mind. In writing The Crucible - an acknowledged classic of modern theater, he has unveiled the things that are often required of life for a human's survival; betrayal, mendacity, inequity and deception - the works of the devil. Miller has re-told of a tragedy of witchcraft trials in the town of Salem, Massachusetts which occurred during the seventeenth-century. During this period the practice of an intensely puritanical form of religion pervaded the atmosphere and made life very difficult and unpleasant. The trials were encompassed and dramatized by mass frenzy. Miller was aware of the witchcraft hysteria in Salem, yet it had remained incomprehensible to him for many years, until he witnessed and experienced, personally, a modern parallel to the power of evil and the evil of power. Between the years of 1950-1954 Joseph McCarthy, an American Senator presided over the investigations of the Senate Committee on Internal Security. The purpose of this committee was to identify individuals who held sympathetic views or confirmed views of communism. Joseph McCarthy wanted to intern all alleged Communists and force them to confess their offences and
A Literary Comparison Of A Clockwork Orange and The Crucible.
A Literary Comparison Of A Clockwork Orange and The Crucible The existence of evil in the world is a universal question that is often contemplated. Anthony Burgess and Arthur Miller in their novels A Clockwork Orange and The Crucible address this question of evil. One of these stories is set in the future, and the other in the past confirming the belief that the human struggle between good and evil is timeless and applies to every person in society. Throughout history numerous examples of leaders have attempted to control the nature of people within their society through systems of punishment and reward. This system had failed continuously to control the entire population because people still retain their ability to choose. It is said that once a person loses his free will, he ceases to be a person. This is the struggle confronting the protagonists in both A Clockwork Orange and The Crucible. The fifteen-year old rebel Alex and the respected farmer John Proctor refuse to conform to the rules of their oppressive societies, and as a result are denied the freedom to choose between good and evil, therefore becoming less than human. Both Alex and John Proctor live in highly oppressive societies from which they feel alienated, and therefore decide to rebel against. The futuristic setting of A Clockwork Orange is one of a constructive, depersonalized society where the
How does Millers handling of time and memory add to our understanding of tragedy within Death of a Salesman?
How does Miller's handling of time and memory add to our understanding of tragedy within 'Death of a Salesman'? Arthur Miller clearly adopted the approach of a classical Greek tragedy by asserting that Willy Loman is 'as appropriate as a subject for tragedy as Kings are'. Miller portrays Willy as a hardworking man struggling to reach the intangible American dream by challenging Aristotelian convention and by using time as a structural motif to successfully portray the lead up to his demise. This ultimately portrays him as a modern tragic hero. The mobile concurrency repeatedly used is of a great importance to the play. They serve as a recollection of his past memories, a dream world offering to escape the harsh reality of what he is facing at the current moment in time. Leah Hadomi, in "Fantasy and Reality: Dramatic Rhythm in Death of a Salesman" said :'When reality becomes too painful, Willy retreats into a dream world, consisting of his recollections of the past and of fantasies in which he ful?lls the aspirations, the attainment of which has eluded him in life". This statement is, to some extent, true as the 'dream sequence' seems perfect, with a repetition of 'We'll' by Willy and Happy, when they discuss 'carrying bags', an ultimate perception of Willy's dream world. However, even within this ordered dream world, Bernard pops the bubble in which order was maintained,
How Did it All Begin: The Salem Witch Trials
Jason Lee Chernenko Professor Karen Randolph LIT 271 online 7 October 2007 How Did it All Begin: The Salem Witch Once upon a time in a land called Salem, Massachusetts, lived a little girl and her father, Reverend Samuel Parris. According to the National Geographic Salem Witch Trials website, Reverend Samuel Parris started a church in 1689 in which he was a very strict Reverend who demanded money from the villagers. After a few years of putting up with his demands, the villagers stopped giving him money in October 1691. This greatly affected him and his child, causing much tension in their household. To escape from the tension, his daughter, Betty and cousin Abigail Williams would listen to the amazing tales of Tituba, the Parris family slave from Barbadoes (Internet National Geographic). They also enjoyed having their fortune told to learn if they would have good or bad lives (Internet Salem Witch Trials). In February, 1692, Betty, Abigail and their friend Ann Putnum began having "fits, convulsions, contortions and outbursts of gibberish" to which their family doctors attributed to witchcraft (Internet National Geographic). The girls at first named three people as the witches; Sarah Good, a beggar, Sarah Osburn, an elderly women and Tituba, the Parris family Slave. This story I have told you was definitely not a fairy-tale, it was a complete nightmare for the
The Role of Alfieri
The Role of Alfieri Alfieri was born in Italy and at the age of twenty-five, migrated to America, where he has settled in well with the American standards and is leading a happy life in his fifties. He keeps within the Sicilian traditions, yet he leads his profession, following the American law. He is a well-qualified lawyer who is sympathetic towards the Italian immigrant families. Due to his occupation, he is treated with a degree of suspicion, yet with a great deal of respect. The community in the play respect Alfieri and view him as the authoritative figure in the play. Alfieri is a man of power, extreme and knowledge. He uses his status in accordance with up coming occasions. Alfieri wants the best for everyone, and tries his best to help others. Alfieri has been involved with the Carbone family from when Eddie's father was in time of trouble, and now he is dealing with Eddie. Eddie looks upon Alfieri like a 'God-like' figure, turning to Alfieri at times of crisis, not only as a lawyer but also as a friend. In return, Alfieri advises Eddie, leading him to the straight path, within the American law standards but their Sicilian morals lead them to more problems. Alfieri is first and foremost a narrator but as the play develops, he also plays the part of the lawyer, trying to prevent the tragedy from happening. Arthur Miller has used this characteristic in Alfieri
This extract from A view from the bridge by Arthur Miller is just after Catherine and Rodolfo are left alone at home, In this scene Eddies worst nightmare is realized when he sees both of them together coming from the bedroom.
With close reference to the following extract, discuss Miller's presentation of Eddie's state of mind at this point in the play. This extract from 'A view from the bridge' by Arthur Miller is just after Catherine and Rodolfo are left alone at home, In this scene Eddie's worst nightmare is realized when he sees both of them together coming from the bedroom. This infuriates him and he believes that the worst has happened. The scene conveys Eddie's irrational state of mind and highlights his peripeteia. Miller uses the stage directions and character's dialogues to highlight tension and to convey the rising conflict both external between Eddie and Rodolfo and Catherine by kissing them and internally within Eddie. Miller conveys with the help of language techniques such as: imperative and adjectives, Eddies lack of control over his body which in turn results in his instinctual behavior coming to the fore. Through Miller's presentation of Eddie's jealousy and hatred towards Rodolfo the audience slowly loses sympathy for him and is now regarding him as an outcast. Miller uses the stage directions and dialogues to convey Eddie's unstable state of mind which creates tension and leads to the climax of the conflict. Eddie enters the apartment 'unsteady, drunk' showing that he has been drinking as he takes out the bottles of 'whiskey' which conveys that he is unstable and foreshadows