Hysteria, one theme in the play "The Crucible", causes a lot of trouble. These people in this story break into complete hysteria. People become acused of such absurd crimes such as witchcraft and murder by their neighbors and friends whom they have been friends with most all their lives. I do have to say that i believe a lot of the people in the play use the hysteria to carry out grudges they have against people. Such as Thomas Putnam gaining revenge by accusing Rebecca for the deaths of Ann's babies.
Abigail is one character who i was a little interested in. Even though i would consider her the "bad guy" she was not very complex. I believe she was just jealous because she did not have a lot of power in her community. She lied her way through a lot and forced people to keep quiet. Like in the first scene when Betty kind of awakes and starts shouting out all the things that happened in the woods. She is manipulative and mean. Especially because she eventually sends innocent people to their deaths.
"A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything, I know it now. I beg you, sir, i beg you - see her what what she is. My wife, my dear good wife, took this girl soon after, sir, and put her out on the highroad. And being what she is, a lump of vanity, sir -. Excellency, forgive me, forgive me. She thinks to dance with me on my wife's grave! And well she might, for I thought of her soflty. God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore's vengance, and you must see it; I set myself entirely in your hands. I know you must see it now." This quote is one of my favorites in the play. It shows that Proctor instead wants what is right rather than what would bennefit his reputation. Although he does it for good reasons, being honest about his affair with Abiagail does not work in his favor. Proctor then is accused of witchcraft and is considered a liar.
The Crucible shows many things to us. How hysteria can ruin lives but help others out, how being honest isn't always going to work out in your favor, and being manipulative is something people just do. I did not have a favorite character, and even though i learned about the salem witch trials in class last year i did not mind reading this book. It was a learning experience, you could say, because it shows how crazy things can get out of hand. I would recomend this book to somebody interested in this sort of stuff and im glad i read it.
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Hysteria. What a great word to sum up all the craziness in the story. I liked that quote. I also found the quote while reading to be very intriguing. In the first paragraph you noted that people used built up grudges, that could be possible but it also could just be because everyone else was befriending people.
ReplyDeleteI to was interested in Proctor's care for others rather than himself. One thing that struck me was that you felt Abigail did not have a lot of power. I don't think it was quite about power, it was more about getting the attention that she wanted. When she wasn't getting the attention from Proctor that she had before, she started coaxing up ways for others to notice her. I think that was her main focus. Glad that you enjoyed the play...
ReplyDelete-Angie:)
I agree with Angie that Abigail craved attention. When she knew that Proctor was no longer going to pay attention to her, she tried to make him and everybody else pay attention to her. Once she realized that Proctor really did love his wife, she went crazy psychopath and stabbed herself with a needle and said that Elizabeth's "spirit" put it there. Even though Proctor did not want her, Abigail wanted to take the place of Elizabeth. Abigail did not realize that her actions were going to cause severe consequences for the people that she claimed were witches. I agree with how you said people used the hysteria to get back at other people who they held grudges against. The Putnam's blamed Rebecca for the deaths of their children to get even for the fact that Rebecca's husband was successful and he owned land that the Putnam's wanted. Mr. Putnam also blamed people that had land he wanted, so he could buy their land for very cheap after they were convicted. I believe the Salem Witch Trials were a terrible moment in America's early history.
ReplyDeleteI think in addition to Abigail's jealousy of not having much power in her community, she also held a grudge against Elizabeth because she had was Abigail wanted.
ReplyDeleteyes, hysteria was a huge part of a book. You said things people normally wouldn't, like "being honest is not always gunna work in out favor" and at first I was going to argue that point, but it really is true. It shouldn't be like that though, and I would respect the honesty in someone more than the covering it up and pointing the finger. That being said, honesty, I believe, will get us farther in life physically and mentally then being dishonest. And respect will be higher, the highest being your self respect, I believe.
ReplyDeleteYou all have very good things to say, and they are very accurate. Abigail did become jealous and because of that jealousy she gained control of certain situations. I want you to consider one thing as you progress throughout you academic career: If you are able to effectively communicate, you will captivate your audience; and if you captivate your audience, you have control over your audience; and if you have control over your audience, you will have the power to persuade their thoughts and actions.
ReplyDeleteLanguage = control = power
This formula will only benefit you when you want something for yourself or others.
This is worded very nicely and I agree with everything you said. Hysteria broke through and people went into a panic accusing those who are close to them of horrible crimes. I also like your quote it was also my favorite in the book.
ReplyDelete