The Crucible by Arthur Miller Essay Example

The Crucible by Arthur Miller Paper Throughout the play the contrast between light and dark is a prominent feature. In the footnote at the begging of act one Miller has used the image of light There is a narrow window at the left. Through its leaded pains the morning sunlight streams. A candle still burns near the bed The room gives of an air of clean spare ness. This symbolizes that everything is alright, there are no bad things happening. Light throughout the play is used to symbolize good. As the story line continues the atmosphere and even the scenes themselves become darker and more sinister, even the weather becomes more glum and depressing. Dark is used throughout the play to symbolize bad. For example, the courtroom is always dark, there are no open windows and no candles. In some cases certain characters bring light into a scene that was dark, like John Proctor. But when he is accused of witchcraft the light that accompanies him became a lot dimmer. Dramatic devices are used constantly throughout the play. They are apparent in a key scene of the play, which we could call the yellow bird scene in Act Three. Abigail uses her strength over the girls to create an imaginary bird, which she claims is Mercys spirit trying to attack her face, of course this is not true. Proctor frantically tries to explain to Judge Danforth that this is all pretence. Lies, lies he says. This is an example of dramatic irony because we, the audience, are much more aware that Proctor at this point in the play, that it is these such lies that are going to get him hanged. We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible by Arthur Miller specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible by Arthur Miller specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible by Arthur Miller specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The fact that those who lie are saved and Proctor, whose conscience finally wont allow him to lie, is hanged, is another example of dramatic irony in the sense that we already sense that being truthful in such a society is the most dangerous thing to be. Examples of dramatic tension in this scene are the manner in which Mary at first begs (pleading) Abigail to believe that she is doing nothing to harm her. This tension is highlighted by the fact that the girls echo everything that Mary says. In Marys frustration, she screams at the girls, (at the top of her lungs and raising her fists) to Stop it! . Even more dramatic tension comes later in the scene when Mary, either because she realises that she has to go along with Abigail in order to stop the accusations against her, or because she has been caught up in Abigails hysteria, reunites herself as part of the girls group and pretends to the court that Proctor has made her stand up to Abigail in order to save his wife. Ill murder you, he says, if my wife hangs! We must go and overthrow the court, he says. Mary has just caused even more drama by completely overturning the focus onto Proctor and by now transferring all the pressure onto him. Dramatic irony and tension come together to create what must be one of the most memorable scenes in the whole play, Elizabeths only lie. Religion is Elizabeths life, she believes wholeheartedly in the commandments and would not dream of breaking them for any reason. Because Proctor is aware of this, he knows he can relay on his wife to back him and prove to the court how evil Abigail is, but Proctor has confessed to the court out of anger that he has known her. The court now do not know whether they can trust John and what he has to say. In order to prove to them the real Abigail, John preaches how Elizabeth has never lied, and therefore they can get the truth from her. In her life, sir, she has never lied . Elizabeth is fetched from the jail unaware that her husband has confessed to his affair with the vain Abigail and the drama begins again with Danforth questioning Elizabeth. We, the audience and the others in the room, Proctor and Abigail, know of the confession bringing about the irony in the scene. Elizabeth is confused when she arrives, and is ordered not to look at anyone but Danforth, making her nerves and unsure of herself. Danforth states, We are given to understand that at one time you dismissed your servant, Abigail Williams Elizabeth agrees and is asked to explain why. She looks at her husband for a clue as what to say, but seems confused and unsteady why anyone would be asking her the nature of her dismissal of Abigail unless they had come into knowledge of the affair. Despite this, Elizabeth tells Judge Danforth that Abigail dissatisfied her, but Danforth is not happy with this answer and digs deeper. As he does so Elizabeth glances at Proctor for a cue but she knows what answer Danforth is looking for and whilst speaking but unknowing what to say she keeps glancing at her husband but is repeatedly shouted at saying you will look in my eyes only, not at your husband. This is creating tension because we know that whatever Elizabeth says there will be a bad outcome. As the play comes to a close, Proctor is torn between saving his life and saving his name. He feels that he has lost the battle against witchcraft. He considers his name to be the one thing he has left. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! . Proctor would rather die with his name pure and white, then live knowing that he can not live a full life. He does sign the document in which he admits to witchcraft, which makes him seem selfish, but he will not accuse others of witchcraft, I have three children how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends? , which preserves his heroic qualities, nor will he allow himself to be made into an example, You will not use me! You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me! . To himself, he is nothing but a fraud. He is consumed with self-doubt. He has nothing left but his name, it is his name and no one can ever take this from his as it is his own identity and is the only possessions he has left worth having. This is a very emotional scene, Salems witch hunt has taken everything from proctor; Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name! . The Crucible By Arthur MIller Essay Example The Crucible By Arthur MIller Paper Now, Betty, dear wake up now. Its Abigail. (She sits Betty up and furiously shakes her. ) Ill beat you Betty. This violent language is a key to how violent Abigails behaviour is. She knows what she wants and she is prepared to do whatever it takes to get it. Abigails character has many flaws, people would think passion is a good thing, and it is, but Abi is too passionate, she is willing to have innocent people killed, just to get rid of John Proctors wife, so she can be with him. Abigail Williams does not seem to be a very religious person. (This is proven in her later life. She was found in Boston later on in life, living as a prostitute. ) She is mischievous, a liar, an adulterer, and in a sense, a murderer. You get an idea of her character from the first few pages. Uncle we did dance; let you tell them I confessed it. This shows she is not concerned about the fact she was caught breaking the rules. In puritan times people were not allowed to have fun as it was seen as ungodly. The only time you could celebrate was when somebody built a new barn; they held a sort of barbeque. They have cider and dance. If there hasnt been a new barn built then puritan life was uneventful. This is why I think all of the rumours of witchcraft were started. It was just people wanting to have some fun in Salem. Little did they know what this fun was going to result in. Abigail Williams is a strong character throughout the whole play. All of the girls do what she says and they follow her every action. We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible By Arthur MIller specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible By Arthur MIller specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible By Arthur MIller specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer If she accuses somebody of witchcraft the others say that person came to them in the night as well. In one scene of the play Betty tells the judge that she can see a black man whispering in one of the defendants ear. When the Judge tells the other girls, Abigail says she notices it first and she points to the man then all of the others do the same. Abigails relationship with John Proctor is very strange. She loves the man, but she is still willing to destroy everything he loves, to have him as her own. She has no regard for other peoples feelings. At the start John seems to be on good terms with her, even though he is ending it all, but at the end he hates her, the audience begin to hate Abigail as well because they sympathize with John; she has ruined his life, his wifes, his childrens, and hundreds of peoples lives who live in the village. Abigails relationship with Elizabeth Proctor is tarnished from the beginning, as you can imagine. Abigail had been previously employed in their house as a maid, but as soon as Elizabeth found out about Abigail and Procters affair, she threw her out. This makes Abigail feel that Elizabeth is unworthy of John, and takes every chance she gets to undermine her in front of her husband. She is blackening my name in the village! She is telling lies about me! She is a cold, snivelling woman, and you bend to her! Let her turn you like a-(Page 19). She wants Proctor to leave his wife so she tries to make him think she isnt worth being with. I think that Abigail Williams is a good character to create tension because she is unpredictable. In the start she is just a teenage girl, or to be exact a young woman (although this is arguable), who wants to have a little harmless fun. By the end of it she has caused so much distress and disruption, I dont even think she could have imagined that happening. Throughout the play, even though people are being killed, she remains to tell lies, so she isnt thought badly of. I think this creates tension because up until the end you dont know if she is going to right her wrongs. So all in all I think Abigail is an interesting and unpredictable character, she is in the centre of everything.