“Proctor is silent, staring at Elizabeth”
Miller uses stage directions to create tension and sympathy, this also can lead to a tragic end and create an immense amount of tension if character is hurt or dies.
Proctor is incriminated many times throughout this play. Elizabeth tries to comfort Proctors anguish by taking half the blame on herself. In Act four Proctor demonstrates his love for Elizabeth by kissing her, earlier on in the play she only receives her kiss, but this time Elizabeth kisses him back with passion. Miller tries to make the audience sympathise with both Proctor and Elizabeth in a further attempt to create tension and climax.
Miller introduces Metaphors in his play such as:
“Number- a thread to weave into his agony.”
This is trying to demonstrate, in my opinion that a thread is a another annoyance which is making Proctor angry, and creating tension between characters.
In the scene Elizabeth enounces how she cannot judge her Husband.
“I cannot judge you, John.”
This line is very important as it makes you think in two aspects is Proctor going to confess to witchcraft or is he going to state the truth. This creates tension, as you never know which way Proctor could turn to.
This technique is preserved as Elizabeth continues to say it.
“As you will have it. (Slight pause) I want you living John. That’s sure.”
Again Miller uses the same manoeuvres as he gives a 2-way reply. The first part supports Proctor on his choice, the second is a little selfish as Elizabeth pleads Proctor to confess and save his life. This creates tension because we do not know what Proctor is going to choose.
In Act four Proctor asks if any other people such as Giles’ wife had confessed?
“Giles’ wife? Have she confessed?”
This shows that Proctor is not sure, if he ought to confess or not. He asks Elizabeth, hopefully that Giles’ wife confessed so it would make him feel better this shows weakness in Proctor. Unfortunately Giles’ wife did not plead witchcraft which did not help Proctor to confess, because the others didn’t plead either. This leads us only one way, to death by hanging. This creates a lot of tension; and the end would be very climatic, as we would not know which way to turn.
Miller produces Similes in his play.
“I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint.”
Miller uses imagery in his piece and creates a image for the audience. Similes are used in the play to describe Proctors feelings and actions.
In Act 2 Miller creates a dramatic structure where a problem is about to be resolved and then Miller twists it, so a character intervenes and the problem is not resolved. This creates an effect where tension is raised and lowered, to effect the audience, and keep the audience waiting, also this can be used to create a eventual climax.
At the start of the play Elizabeth is asked for her opinion she replies by saying she cannot judge John. In Act 4 Proctor asks her opinion this shows that Proctor is powerless and so puts dough in his mind, of what decision he is going to take. This creates tension, as we do not know what is going to happen.
During Act four Proctor continually says this sentence.
“I will have my life.”
This prepares the audience for what is to happen. If Proctor was to die and here he says he wants to live this would create tension, as it says he wants to live. This would create a climax, as we do not know what option Proctor would go for.
Elizabeth tries to help release Proctors torment by supporting him.
“I am not your Judge. I cannot be. Do as you will, do as you will!”
She helps Proctor decide by supporting him; this creates tension as it helps Proctor select his choice and stick with that choice. This would create tension and create a climax at the end.
Halfway into Act 4, Proctor is in agony and is thinking either to confess or not to. Proctor continually is unable to speak, this makes the audience wait for the verdict on Proctor’s life. This creates tension and a climax, as you have to keep the audience waiting.
Danforth feeds Proctor’s confession this leads Proctor in one way but to confess. This produces tension and would create a climax if this was action was changed.
Miller presents Rebecca into the play. Miller engineers this to make it harder for Proctor to choose. I think Danforth makes a vital mistake by bringing Rebecca into the frame as this could differ Proctors decision. This creates a tremendous amount of tension, as Proctor could change his verdict. Miller applies a technique called “Classic ashamed behaviour” at this stage.
“Proctor turns his face to the wall.”
This is created to make the audience sympathise with Proctor and feel what Proctor is feeling and give the sense of the inevitable.
Proctor continues to confess but does not confess the others. He persists in showing his influence.
“Why must I say it?”
Later on in the play this leads to a emotional response, which will create huge amounts of tension and anxiety.
Danforth shows no respect as he continues to feed Proctor. Proctor struggles, crying out with hatred. Proctor now is deciding his fate. This creates tension. Hale repetitively announces:
“Let him sign it, let him sign it.”
Hale tries to save Proctors life, and stops him making the wrong decision. This creates tension, as we cannot anticipate what is to come.
Proctor signs the letter in disgust.
“Dame the village! I confess to God, and God has seen my name on this! It is enough!”
This is a major point in Proctor’s beliefs, it also is a omniscient saying. I think he is about to change his mind, this creates tension and climax, which will follow through to the end. This makes the audience think of what is to take place.
Earlier in the play, Miller creates the character of Mary Warren. Mary Warren is shown as a weak girl who cannot stand up to any pressure. Miller describes her as “very small.” This gives the sense of the inevitable as we no that Warren will be unable to support Proctor, but instead blame him.
As Proctor signed the paper, Proctor rethinks his actions believing he is saved for heaven, as he doesn’t confess the others. Miller creates sympathy towards Proctor, but creates hatred towards both Danforth and Parris.
Proctor’s body language suggests that he is in great pain. Miller introduces a simile to describe Proctor’s pain and what he is feeling:
“Proctor broke his knees and wept like a woman.”
This creates tension and anxiety.
Miller introduces a line that describes Proctor’s pain.
“With a cry of his whole soul.”
Proctor’s name is well respected, at this point the inevitable is about to happen Proctor is going to refuse to confess. This creates an enormous amount of tension. This also leads to a tragic climax. Miller uses repetitive words such as “because” or ”lies” to create tension.
Danforth tries to make it clear to Proctor:
“Is that document a lie?”
I find this quote quite ironic. Miller uses a dramatic effect of silence by displaying the character either thinking or waiting. This creates tension in the audience as well as tension between the two characters.
Danforth knows that Proctor is not lying which seems again very ironic. Proctor gains sympathy as his tears run down his face, this helps to build a tragedy and create a tragic climax.
Elizabeth supports Proctor on his decision, and the audience knows that Proctors fate is at its end. Rebecca helps Proctor to go on with his decision.
Hale tries to convince Elizabeth in one last effort, which creates tension, but we know it’s too late. Hale knows injustice has occurred which adds to the climax as we know Proctor is a innocent man.
I conclude that Proctor was a innocent man who was respected well respected by many people in Salem. He was emotionally separate with his wife. Overall he was a honourable person who believed in his morals which he stuck to, even though he committed lechery, Elizabeth still loved him.
The trails with Danforth and the others were unjust and the inevitable was waiting for Proctor. Miller tried to create tension, which led to a emotional response, through Proctor. In the end this created, a tragic climax, which was what Miller wanted in this play. This was created by many techniques. In the end a great man Proctor died by hanging.
