In 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts, ten teen-age girls claimed that Reverend Samuel Parris' slave, Tituba and two elderly women from the town a Salem had bewitched them.
In 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts, ten teen-age girls claimed that Reverend Samuel Parris' slave, Tituba and two elderly women from the town a Salem had bewitched them. In four months hundreds of people were imprisoned, 19 of whom were hanged and one was pressed to death with rock, all due to witchcraft. Two hundred and sixty years later the people of the United States became frightened that communism would strike America as it had in countries such as China and the USSR. People who were suspected of communism were brought before inquiries that were televised and were asked to sign confessions, lead by McCarthy. Senator Joseph McCarthy was anti-communist supporter who lead investigations to seek out people who had left wing sympathies. He worked on the principle of guilty until proved innocent, the opposite of methods usually worked with in a fair court system. One of the ways to get out of it was to name others. Most of the people brought before inquiries were not communists, although they may have been slightly left wing. Although they were not executed, they were prevented from ever working again. Miller wrote the play in the 1950's in America whilst this was going on. The main people who were attacked by these activities were people who worked in mass media, such as Miller himself. Miller saw a similarity between the Salem Witch trials of 1692 and the un-American
Explain what happens in Act 3 and show how Arthur Miller makes it clear to the audience that Danforth is not only misguided but deliberately ignores any evidence that casts doubt on stories of Abigail Williams and the other Girls.
G.C.S.E. English Literature Coursework Assignment: The Crucible Explain what happens in Act 3 and show how Arthur Miller makes it clear to the audience that Danforth is not only misguided but deliberately ignores any evidence that casts doubt on stories of Abigail Williams and the other Girls. In Act Three, Arthur Miller presents to the audience the main climax of the play. He writes about Danforth and how he manipulates the court and the evidence given to him to stop it from ruining his reputation. He ends up forcing Elizabeth Proctor to lie about John Proctor's affair with Abigail Williams, resulting in Proctor being sentenced to death (hanging). Danforth is first introduced into the play by Miller during Act Two when Elizabeth tells Proctor that the Deputy Governor of the Provence (Danforth) is coming from Boston to judge the trials. This is the first sign that Miller shows to the audience about how serious the trials are. The position of Deputy Governor is the third most powerful in the court (King being first, then Governor). This shows that Danforth will play a serious part in the future of Salem's inhabitants due to the amount of power he holds. The first impression the audience gains from Danforth's presence is great power and respect. When he enters, silence falls; from this Miller is trying to show that nobody would dare stand up to him at this point. From that
A View From The Bridge - There are those who believe that Marco is innocent, and those who believe that he is guilty. Does Miller intend to show him as both, as partially innocent and partially guilty? I think he does.
A View From The Bridge There are those who believe that Marco is innocent, and those who believe that he is guilty. Does Miller intend to show him as both, as partially innocent and partially guilty? I think he does. Initially, Miller illustrates Marco as an illegal immigrant, who is a true family man with "three children" and a wife back in Sicily, who he loves and cares about. They are practically dying of starvation, and to add to his problems, his children have "tuberculosis." Yes, you heard correctly, "tuberculosis!" It is Marco's duty and responsibility as a loving father to provide for his family, which he comes to do in the U.S.A., as Miller informs the audience. Rodolfo and Marco "work hard" which confirms that they are there to earn a living. Miller shows Marco as an intelligent man, thus he understands that illegal immigration is wrong, but he considers it necessary for the sake of his family. Tell me, wouldn't you emigrate to work for your family? I would. But, Miller demonstrates how Eddie "mocks" Marco's "work." Thus, Miller wants the audience to know that Eddie is asking for trouble. I mean, "Marco never hurt anybody" so would he kill Eddie for no reason?! Miller lets the audience know that Eddie is "honoured to lend" Marco and Rodolfo a place to sleep, displaying his generosity. He takes "the blankets off" his own "bed" for them. And what is "all the
The opening scene of "A View from the Bridge" contains a lot of clues and preparations for what is to come in the rest of the play
How does the opening scene of "A View from the Bridge" prepare us for what is to come in the rest of the play? The opening scene of "A View from the Bridge" contains a lot of clues and preparations for what is to come in the rest of the play. By just reading the title, the reader can tell a lot about what events will occur. The opening stage directions suggest the theme of the play before any characters are introduced, which is very significant. The first few lines of each person's speech hints at the type of character that each person is going to be, and many clues are given away to what is going to happen and why. The set can also give the audience some contextual information- by showing what time period it was in. This hints to what the story may lead to because of the particular things going on at this time in America, and also the idea of the American Dream. The title of the play is very significant. As the first thing you read, you can use it to predict/ sum up what will happen in the play. Obviously, you cannot tell from the title exactly what the plot will be, and what type of characters involved, however you do get an idea of the type of play that it is. The title "A View from the Bridge" can be interpreted as the idea of somebody watching down on a series of events. As the play is set in America, it is likely that "the Bridge" is Brooklyn Bridge, so you could see
A Great Play Should Inspire The Passion Of its Audience. In what way does A view From A Bridge Achieve This?
A Great Play Should Inspire The Passion Of its Audience. In what way does A view From A Bridge Achieve This? A view from the bridge was an extremely enjoyable play to read. This was because the author achieved the aim of inspiring his audience. He attained this goal by dealing with emotions that all people experience and are able to relate to, for instance jealousy. The play contains several themes, with jealousy being the emotion that the play was mainly orientated around. Other themes include grief, love and the audience often feels sympathy for the characters. The Author also keeps its audience interest with a lot of use of description; it also boasts a tense atmosphere and keeps its audience in suspense for the final outcome. As the play is based on a true story, and includes Arthur Miller's own experiences of Sicily, it has an extremely believable story line. The play opens with a content and devoted family. The main character is Eddie. He works as a longshoreman and sees himself as the main breadwinner of the family and loves and cares for his wife Beatrice and his niece Katie. Beatrice his affectionate wife whose character is a stereotypical housewife, always supporting her family in whatever they do, and is extremely kind and generous. Catherine
The Crucible - review
The Crucible The crucible is based on Witchcraft in the small village of Salem in Massachussets. It is about the Devils grasp on the people in the village and how it effects their lives. The village is a Puritan one, so when word of the Devil goes round, the reaction of the village is extreme. In Act 1 Betty, a young girl, daughter of Reverand Parris has discovered that Betty and Abigail, Parris's niece, and some other friends have been dancing in the woods. In act 2, John Proctor will not admit to committing lechery with Abigail. Elizabeth, John Proctors wife, is very worried about what is going on in the town. Mary Warren, one of the girls dancing in the woods, brought home a poppet for Elizabeth. Mary didn't know there was a needle in the doll, which Abigail put there. Elizabeth is arrested and thrown in jail. The witch hunt is very unfair because they are basing the evidence of them being witches on not much evidence. Arthur Miller wrote the Crucible as an allegory because, looking back at it now, it is a making a moral point about the society. Through act 1 and 2 questions are being asked which the audience want to know the answer to. The questions aren't answered until the very end. There is a rhythm throughout the play where questions are asked and these make the audience want to know the answers. Questions such as "Was Abigail telling the truth when she was telling
Discuss the Role that Alfieri Plays in the Narrative Structure and Exposition of Themes in "A View from the Bridge" By Arthur Miller.
Discuss the Role that Alfieri Plays in the Narrative Structure and Exposition of Themes in "A View from the Bridge" By Arthur Miller Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge is a modern tragedy set in 1950's Brooklyn about a man's obsession with his niece, and what that obsession ultimately brings about. Eddie Carbone, a hard- working dockworker is the tragic hero of the piece who struggles with how he feels about his niece, Catherine. Miller manages identify and raise many themes concerning the people who lived in the area in which the play was set, themes such as family, justice, respect and death, themes that played a big part in society during that era. Alfieri is the narrator of the play; he is like a sort of Greek chorus in the sense that he divides the scenes with monologues, he also explains to the audience the themes and adds depth to the play. From the very beginning of the play Alfieri hints towards tragedy, he does this a few times in his prologue, for example, he says: "I am inclined to see the ruin in things," This tells the audience or readers straight away, at the beginning of the play that Alfieri can see that Eddie's story is going to end in disaster. Towards the end of the prologue, it is clear that Alfieri can do nothing to avert the play from tragedy. "another lawyer, quite differently dressed, heard the same complaint and sat there as powerless
Consider the relationship between John Proctor and Abigail Williams and how Arthur Miller presents it to an audience.
Consider the relationship between John Proctor and Abigail Williams and how Arthur Miller presents it to an audience. Arthur Miller wrote the play "The Crucible" in 1953. He wrote the play as a response to his own experiences in the witch-hunt, which were concerned with anti-Capitalist Pro-Communist accusations. Miller himself was accused of anti-American activities. He wrote the play set in an area of Massachusetts called Salem in 1692 where some adolescent girls were dabbling in the supernatural and the jails were eventually filled with men and women accused of witchcraft and twenty people were hanged. The inhabitants of Salem were rigid in their interpretation of the Bible, believing in witches and the Devil. They believed also that the Bible instructed them that witches must be hanged. John Proctor is the central character in the play. He is the husband of a good Puritan woman, Elizabeth, and is the lover of a young girl in the town, Abigail. She was employed in John Proctor's household as a maid. When we first meet John Proctor, we are given a powerful description of him. He is described as a man in his mid-thirties, powerful of body and even tempered. We see John and Abigail in conversation together. John says, "What's this mischief here?" and Abigail replies, "Oh, she's gone silly somehow," talking of Mercy, another young girl of the town. Abigail tells
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
John Proctor as Tragic Hero in the Crucible.
John Proctor as Tragic Hero in the Crucible In Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, the small town of Salem is engulfed in hysteria due to the accusations of children that many of the townspeople partook in witchcraft. Among the accused is John Proctor, a strong, steadfast farmer. John Proctor fulfils the requirements of a "tragic hero" by his actions throughout the story. His "tragic hero" status is illustrated by his efforts to save his wife from being put to death, his attempt to prove the children are making fraudulent claims, and his unwillingness to confess to practising witchcraft when accused. Proctor is a tragic hero in his efforts to save his wife. Proctor's first display of trying to save his wife is shown when the Court officials come to take Elizabeth away. Proctor is so infuriated by this assault on his house that he rips the warrant and tells them to leave rather forcefully saying, "Damn the Deputy Governor! Out of my house!"(77), demonstrating his intense love for his wife. Proctor shows signs of being a tragic hero when he attempts to go into court to save his wife and prove the girls liars. However, he ends up being accused himself. Mary Warren is in court testifying when she suddenly breaks down " hysterically, pointing at Proctor, fearful of him: My name, he want my name. 'I'll murder you,' he says, 'if my wife hands! We must go and
