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Lexi Punturo
The Crucible Theme Analysis
Theme #1: Reputation
Reputation is one of the many concerns for the characters in The Crucible . Everyone wants a good name in the town because they do not want to get accused of witchcraft or being a husband of a witch. As the play starts out, Reverend Parris ( the Minister of Salem) finds out that Betty Parris and the other girls have being dancing outside. Later, people all believed that the "dancing" was a form of witchcraft and this was because Betty was not waking up. This part in the play was the catalyst for accusing people of witchcraft. Parris cares a lot about his reputation in the play and if Betty practiced witchcraft, that would not good look for Parris, since he has such …show more content…
This shows that it is bothering Parris that his household is accused of such practices of witchcraft. Another example of reputation in the play is when John Proctor signs his confession and then he ripped it up. John Proctor is a respected man and if he were to sign the paperwork and put it up on the wall of the church, he would be giving up all he has left. John Proctor states, "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! I have given you my soul.." (Miller 133). The significance behind this line is that Proctor wants to save his good name for his family. John Proctor knows that it is okay to die because he believes then that the judges will feel guilty about it afterwards. Also Proctor knows that he did absolutely nothing wrong, but he is such a good man that he will risk his life for the others. In the final sentence Miller makes a statement about integrity. He believes that Proctor …show more content…
In the beginning of the play, when Parris questions Abigail about the dancing in the woods, Abigail wines up accusing Tituba of witchcraft so she can avoid punishment. Parris says, "...I saw Tituba waving her arms over the fire when I came on you. Why was she doing that? And I heard a screeching and gibberish coming from her mouth. She was swaying like a dumb beast over that fire!"(Miller 10). Abigail responds by " She always sings her Barbados songs, and we dance"(Miller 10). This discussion plants the seeds of Tituba being accused. Another example of Hysteria is when Ann Putnam blames the death of her children on the supernatural forces. Many people believe this is also true because many are nervous to challenge this conclusion and no one wants to be accused. Mrs. Putnam states, "They were murdered, Mr. Parris...Last night my Ruth were ever so close to their little spirits.."(Miller 15). If Ann Putman came up with this conclusion everyone else will believe this because people want to stay in good standings with the town. Later on, hysteria is furthered revealed when Mary cannot faint inside the courtroom. Abigail then pretends to shiver and act like Mary presented them with a cold wind by using witchcraft. The rest of the girls also follow. When Abigail is shivering she states " Mary, please don't hurt me!"(Miller 107) This demonstrates hysteria because at this point Abigail
Lexi Punturo
The Crucible Theme Analysis
Theme #1: Reputation
Reputation is one of the many concerns for the characters in The Crucible . Everyone wants a good name in the town because they do not want to get accused of witchcraft or being a husband of a witch. As the play starts out, Reverend Parris ( the Minister of Salem) finds out that Betty Parris and the other girls have being dancing outside. Later, people all believed that the "dancing" was a form of witchcraft and this was because Betty was not waking up. This part in the play was the catalyst for accusing people of witchcraft. Parris cares a lot about his reputation in the play and if Betty practiced witchcraft, that would not good look for Parris, since he has such …show more content…
This shows that it is bothering Parris that his household is accused of such practices of witchcraft. Another example of reputation in the play is when John Proctor signs his confession and then he ripped it up. John Proctor is a respected man and if he were to sign the paperwork and put it up on the wall of the church, he would be giving up all he has left. John Proctor states, "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! I have given you my soul.." (Miller 133). The significance behind this line is that Proctor wants to save his good name for his family. John Proctor knows that it is okay to die because he believes then that the judges will feel guilty about it afterwards. Also Proctor knows that he did absolutely nothing wrong, but he is such a good man that he will risk his life for the others. In the final sentence Miller makes a statement about integrity. He believes that Proctor …show more content…
In the beginning of the play, when Parris questions Abigail about the dancing in the woods, Abigail wines up accusing Tituba of witchcraft so she can avoid punishment. Parris says, "...I saw Tituba waving her arms over the fire when I came on you. Why was she doing that? And I heard a screeching and gibberish coming from her mouth. She was swaying like a dumb beast over that fire!"(Miller 10). Abigail responds by " She always sings her Barbados songs, and we dance"(Miller 10). This discussion plants the seeds of Tituba being accused. Another example of Hysteria is when Ann Putnam blames the death of her children on the supernatural forces. Many people believe this is also true because many are nervous to challenge this conclusion and no one wants to be accused. Mrs. Putnam states, "They were murdered, Mr. Parris...Last night my Ruth were ever so close to their little spirits.."(Miller 15). If Ann Putman came up with this conclusion everyone else will believe this because people want to stay in good standings with the town. Later on, hysteria is furthered revealed when Mary cannot faint inside the courtroom. Abigail then pretends to shiver and act like Mary presented them with a cold wind by using witchcraft. The rest of the girls also follow. When Abigail is shivering she states " Mary, please don't hurt me!"(Miller 107) This demonstrates hysteria because at this point Abigail