The Crucible (987 hits)
Category: Quotes & StoriesRating: -2 on 1 review (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Matt <loser_punk_boy999.at.yahoo.com> (View user info) at 2002-11-02 16:02:45 EST
An essay I wrote for english last year that I dug out. 115/100, A++ bizatch.. hah
On Arthur Miller's *The Crucible*
The play *The Crucible* by Arthur Miller exemplifies the hardships, morals and ideologies of the Puritan religion. The Puritan religion is based on two assumptions: one being that the grace of men is God-given, therefore some are good, some are evil. And two: that since some people are destined to receive salvation, sometimes called "regeneration" by the Puritans, while others are doomed to damnation. The Puritans are optimistic and pious, sometimes extremely provincial; yet maintain morals that keep up a productive society.
An example of provinciality displayed in the text follows. "...he, like the rest of Salem, never conceived that the children were anything but thankful for being permitted to walk straight, eyes slightly lowered, arms at the sides, and mouths shut until bidden to speak." p.1054 This shows provinciality somewhat, in the form of prolithic behavior, the secularization and victimization of groups. Elderly, somewhat introverted women are another victimized group in the play. Women such as Tituba, in the first act are accused of witchcraft; the following quotes support this. "Woman, have you enlisted these children for the Devil?" p.1507 and "You have sent your spirit out upon this child, have you not? Are you gathering souls for the Devil?" p.1507
The Puritan society was controlled by a Theocracy. The goal of this was to combine the power of church and state to keep the community together and prevent any kind of disunity that foreign ideologies might incur. At first it worked, but as times changed the people did as well and the oligarchy began to be questioned. The witch hunts were a manifestation of the anarchial thoughts swarming through the minds of the peasants, close to individual freedom. The people were closely monitored by the leaders, therefore kept in check. Church was mandatory, and absense without reason was a violation of code and was subject to punishment.
The following shows the extent to which this principal was carried out. "...a two-man patrol whose duty was to 'walk forth in the time of God's worship to take notice of such as either lie about the meeting house, without attending to the word and ordinances, or that lie at home or in the fields without giving good account thereof, and to take the names of such persons, and to present them to the magistrates, whereby they may be accordingly proceeded against." p.1035
They were so serious about this that they actually assinged a patrol to go out and look for people in violation of their rules. The reason that they had these rules was so noone would go against the moral fibers that ran the community, and was in power. This predisposition to meddle with their lives in such a way actually provided fuel for the accusations and chaos to come.
Early on in the play it is let known that those in power are aware of the possibility of rebellion to their oligarchy. One of the main men of power, Reverend Pariris, quotes: "Now look you, child, your punishment will come in its time. But if you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it." p.1039 and "There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit. Do you understand that?" p.1039 and also "I cannot blink what i saw, Abagail, for my enemies will not blink it. I saw a dress lying on the grass." p.1039 These quotes, all spoken by Revered Parris, show that he is quite aware of and concerned by the threat that his enemies might find something out about him that they could use against him.
Of course the Puritans suffered other, more worldly tribulations as well. These included trouble with their crops, and land and property disputes. The following dialouge shows this. " 'To live in, yes. But to ask ownership is like you shall own the meeting house itself; the last meeting I were at you spoke so long on deeds and mortgages I thought it were an auction.' 'I want a mark of confidence, is all! I am your third preacher in seven years. I do not wish to be put out like the cat whenever some majority feels the whim. You people seem not to comprehend that a minister is the Lord's man in the parish; a minister is not to be so lightly crossed and contradicted-' " p.1049 Another trial they experienced was growing their crops for export and personal use; much like the US during Polks time in office, the US placed tarrifs on foreign goods to ensure that a strong domestic market was in place. (but thats a whole 'nother topic) The following explains. "Hard work kept the morals of the place from spoiling, for the people were forced to fight the land like heros for every grain of corn." p.1035
*In keeping with my projected personality and expectations, I give you the horny remover.hah..
I'll start attaching a humorous/offensive image with each post..enjoy ;)
User Reviews
Submitted by Ingsoc (user info) at 2006-06-12 23:34:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment