Indroduction and dramatization of of the main theme in act 1 of the Crucible

"How does Miller introduce and dramatise the main theme of the play in the first act? How does this act relate to later tragic events in the crucible?" The entirety of the play 'The Crucible' revolves around: reputation, personal grudges, revenge, guilt, loss of innocence and dangerous implications, especially in Act 1. Due to this, I will analyse and elaborate upon the ideas by the playwright 'Arthur Miller' in this act. This was a true account of the terrifying era whereby a story of witchcraft destroyed a flourishing society. Furthermore this play typifies the predicaments still present in the world; it would suggest that socially, humans have not progressed positively, otherwise advancing in technology and lifestyle etc. Arthur Miller's account of the Salem witch trials was published 264 years after the story took place; the original story was based in 1692. This period of unquestionable injustice fascinated Miller to search for the real truth and facts behind it all. After lengthy burrowing into court records retained by the Massachusetts crime courts, Miller had the sufficient information to build his four-act play into a success. Later on, I will reveal how this play explores themes that are centred on evil. A word about the title; a 'Crucible' is a scientific instrument or vessel, in which metals are heated to extract and eradicate impurities. This is the hidden

  • Word count: 2302
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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A Taste of Honey

A Taste Of Honey Comparing Delaney's Presentation of Jo & Helen's Relationship in Act 1, scene 1 & Act 2, scene 2 'A Taste of Honey' is a kitchen sink drama, set in the late 1950s. It follows the volatile relationship of a mother and daughter, and the problems that they have to overcome. 'A Taste of Honey' presents the harsh reality of what life was like for the working classes. The play explores a variety of controversial issues, which especially in the 1950s, only happened behind closed doors, and would have raised serious questions in society. In 'A Taste of Honey' Helen is portrayed as a bad mother, she cares more about drink and men than her own child and there are several preferences to Helen's alcoholism throughout the play. In a strict and traditional society, it would have been almost unforgivable for a teenage girl to have a child and raise it on her own as Jo ends up doing and Helen did before her. Racism also plays a factor in the play as the father of Jo's unborn child was black and people felt very strongly about this sort of thing at this time, including Jo's mother. 'A Taste of Honey' shows an insight to the problems and strains that can be brought on by the above issues and those that the working class suffered. In the opening scene of 'A Taste of Honey' you are introduced to Jo and Helen's new flat. It is a run down, dingy, old place and is all that

  • Word count: 1593
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Arthur miller

In The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger uses the symbol of the ducks in the lagoon at central park to contribute to his overall message of this novel. Holden's determination to find out "where the ducks go" can symbolize many key issues throughout the story. The obsession with death that Holden possesses can be the first recognizable relation to the ducks at central park. The in between stage that Holden is trapped in, is another issue that the ducks can symbolize. The loss of safety and security, what Holden fears most, is also connected to the ducks in a number of ways. The unconscious fascination with death that Holden repeatedly ponders can be observed through his conscious thought in the search for the ducks at central park. The ducks disappearance is associated with Holden's obsession with death due to his theory that death means to disappear. Holden developed this theory from his experience with Allie's death. When Allie died his physical form was not around anymore, so to Holden he disappeared. "Allie, don't let me disappear. Please, Allie". In Holden's own words he unconsciously admits that he associates death with disappearance. When he is crossing the street and feels he is going to die he asks Allie not to let him disappear, meaning not to let him die. This is why Holden is so determined to find out "where the ducks go" when they disappear, and return in the spring.

  • Word count: 845
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How much does the impact of the play depend on Eddie's character and Catherine's innocence?

How much does the impact of the play depend on Eddie's character and Catherine's innocence "A View from the Bridge" contains two central characters, Eddie and Catherine. Eddie is an Italian American dock worker who lives in a working class of Brooklyn, New York with his wife and her niece, Catherine. Eddie and Beatrice (his wife) are the legal guardians of Catherine as Catherine's mum died. Eddie is a man of Sicilian background and this builds up his character of a macho and stubborn man. Being of Italian descendant, he demands respect from Beatrice and shows sense of masculinity. Eddie's views are narrow minded about the man's working and protecting his wife, while the woman's job is in the kitchen and in the home, knitting and cooking for her family. Beatrice, being a religious Catholic, stands by and obeys her husband. Eddie thrives on the respect he has from his neighbourhood in Brooklyn because in Sicily, people are in close-lit communities and so people that do not get respect from their community are isolated and hated. Being Sicilian, he also brings about the strong theme of justice into the play. This can be seen in the beginning when Eddie allows Beatrice's cousins Marco and Rodolfo who arrived to New York illegally without informing the Immigration Bureau. He agrees because he believes that the law does not matter and your own rules, in terms of justice. These

  • Word count: 2219
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How Far is Millers Presentation of Proctor Inviting the Audience to See Him as a Good Man?

How Far is Miller's Presentation of Proctor Inviting the Audience to See Him as a Good Man? During the 1950's America was very anti-communist, one person suggested there was communist activity in America itself. Once someone had suggested this the whole American government got suspicious and paranoid. Probably the most involved anti-communist politician was someone called Senator McCarthy. He accused the most people out of anyone, falsely accusing many American people. The list of accused began to grow. Most of the accused were actors and writers, like Arthur Miller, (who was accused.) During the 1690's in Salem, Massachusetts, something called the Salem witch trials occurred. This is where over 50 people were accused (falsely, again) of witchcraft and dealing with the devil. There was a person named Judge Danforth who accused and sentenced to hang a lot of people. One of the accused was John Proctor, he, like the others, was falsely accused. Salem and 1950's America are closely linked in this play as there is a huge paranoia in both circumstances, I might add, both irrational paranoia. Proctors appearances in act one are normally portrayed as him being an outcast, different and stubborn. This sounds like a bad thing but as I will explain this is not 100% the case. Proctor is only an outcast as he is the only one not admitting to witchcraft in Salem, this is shown when he

  • Word count: 1307
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Analyse the role that Inspector Goole plays in conveying Priestley's social message.

Analyse the role that Inspector Goole plays in conveying Priestley's social message. In the play, the final words of the inspector indicate clearly Priestley's message. The purpose of this speech is to leave the Birlings with an overwhelming feeling of guilt, so they realise what they have done and mend their ways before another tragedy like this occurs again. He says that everybody is "responsible for each other" and that the "millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths" all count as people. This is Priestley's social message to the audience and to the Birlings. The Inspector tells the Birlings that if man will not learn this lesson "then they will be taught in fire, blood and anguish" The events led by the inspector between the two speeches, and the last speech together give the audience a clear idea of his message One of the methods the inspector uses to reinforce J.B.Priestley's message of the play is the way that the inspector repeatedly comments and reminds us of the horrible ordeals Eva Smith went through. "Burnt her insides out of course" The inspector here emphasises the point that Eva died in "great agony". This allows the Birlings and the audience to create sympathy with Eva, helping them to realise what it was like for a working class woman to succeed in society. After Eva had finished with Gerald, we are told that she went to a

  • Word count: 1068
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Inspector Calls - Sheila Birling character review.

Inspector Calls Sheila Birling- The character Sheila Birling is the daughter of Author and Sybil Birling. In the story Priestly portrays her as a young beautiful lady with a rather selfish and arrogant nature. Using her compelling personality she is able to obtain anything in which she desires through her father. After the inspector explains what's happened and how Eva Smith dies she shows an empathetic side of her personality, which might have surprised the audience watching the play. She shows her remorse by describing her feelings towards the injustice of the case. The inspector interviews Author Birling first before moving on to Sheila. Author Birling insists for the inspector to leave his daughter out his inquiries, but the inspector points out to Mr Birling that he must speak to everybody in the house. The inspector unveils Sheila's' involvement by revealing her as the second link in a long chain of events leading to the death of Eva Smith. Edwardian upper class society was well renowned for their ability to exercise total power and control over lower class persons. Priestly shows a perfect example of this during the inspector's questioning of Sheila. He reveals that after being sacked from Mr Birlings' factory, Eva Smith found a knew line of work at a clothes shop where Sheila Birling was considered a valued customer. Eva Smith was soon left unemployed after being

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How successful is Hamlet as a play about revenge? Consider both the modern and Elizabethan audience.

How successful is Hamlet as a play about revenge? Consider both the modern and Elizabethan audience. Hamlet as a play about revenge is very successful in the way that it raises many questions about the morality of revenge. Despite the modern day and Elizabethan society having various different beliefs, both types of audience are able to empathise with many of Hamlet's problems. Helen Gardner says, "The Elizabethans thought murder unethical and private revenge sinful." 1 The Elizabethan society was strongly Christian. In their society, God was in highest position, followed by the Monarch, then the other Elizabethan people. This was known as the "Chain of Being". Gardener's statement would certainly be true according to Christian teachings. They believed that a King had been appointed by God, and was therefore the person on Earth closest to God. Any murder is a sin, but murdering a King is a sin of the worst kind and complete blasphemy. This is how many would have viewed Hamlet's revenge. The fact Claudius is King affects opinions concerning him considerably. Claudius himself believes that "There's such divinity doth hedge a king/That treason can but peep to what it would,/Acts little of his will." Ultimately, the fact that Claudius is King will not protect him as he thinks it will. The Elizabethan audience would have shared Claudius's view as they believed in

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How Effective is the Ending of

"Occasionally an anti-climax can be surprisingly effective" - Andrew Crocker Harris How Effective is the Ending of Terence Rattigan's 'The Browning Version'? A darkening room, a darkening marriage - these appear to be the settings for the end of Terence Rattigan's public school tragedy; but are things turning for the brighter? The way the script cuts off whilst casserole is being served, leaves the audience speculating over Arthur and Millie's future. But does leaving questions unanswered benefit the play as a whole? Does the anticlimax and lack of 'happily ever after' leave the audience feeling unfulfilled, confused, or even annoyed? Just how effective is the ending of the play? As already stated, the play leaves questions open. One of the effects of this is the creation of a hunger for more amongst the audience or reader. The play that has gripped them for the last hour has just 'vanished' at a rather mundane point of the assumed plot. There is an element of catharsis: Will he swallow his old-fashioned pride and stand up for himself? The telephone conversation with Frobisher suggests a renewed in confidence in Andrew and give us hope: "........ I will now speak after Fletcher as is my right........." - Andrew One hopes that his speech will not be an anti-climax and that he will leave a better legacy behind him, yet he seems to have more faith in his ability now.

  • Word count: 1685
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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inspector calls, dramatic devices alcohol

Discuss how J.B Priestly uses alcohol as a dramatic device to explore themes of morality and responsibility in the play 'An Inspector calls'? The play an inspector calls was first performed in 1946, set in 1912 (Edwardian era), in the midlands. The play is initially a battle ground of socialist and capitalist systems, cleverly implemented into the typical society with the lives of the Birling family. Through reading the play and studying its content, one can easily understand Priestley's socialist discontentment, in the structure of society. Throughout the play, we can see the message that is being put across to the audience. Priestley expresses his views, through the characters, dramatic devices exploring themes of responsibility and morality; areas in which he believes are corrupt. The characters are virtually an embodiment of his ideas; he shows corruption through the mockery of society, how capitalist beliefs are destroying society and how socialist views will help society prosper. Through this, he shows the true condition of what lays behind the cloud which we think is full of happiness and richness yet there is an unprincipled, decadent society where there is no love between them. A technique of communication was the use of dramatic devices. Priestly uses alcohol to convey his message in the play. Although this may sound absurd, but I feel it is quite intelligent

  • Word count: 2633
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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