Book #5- The Crucible

"The Crucible" by Arthur Miller was an interesting play to read. I didn't have any trouble with the language because it was similar to The Scarlet Letter. The setting and characters show the hardships going through the Witch Trials in Salem. The symbols as well portray themes of revenge, true compassion, and fear. "The Crucible" is clearly and advanced and trivial read.
The setting and characters in "The Crucible" are extremely important in showing the true mass hysteria surrounding the Salem Witch Trials. I believe Miller chose the setting to revolve around the Salem Witch trials to help create a theme. The hysteria within the characters is almost exactly what happened during that time. People in Salem were so scared that they blamed anyone as a witch without significant proof. It also shows the injustice of the courts when the accused would be hanged if they did not confess as well as give other names. The Characters as well are very important. I liked to analyze the antagonists of the play. Abigail I believe was suppose to show what revenge can lead a women to do. She did all this so she could get a man. She even turned against her helper, Mary Warren. Parris' character was an ignorant man who believed that every one's opinions other than his own was wrong. He still believed that all were guilty of witchcraft instead of hearing reason. Danforth's character was revengeful and wouldn't rest till all the accused either confessed or were hanged. He also doesn't listen to proof about the reasons the accused was accused, and he automatically believed they were guilty. Then, it was nice to analyze characters like Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor, Mary Warren, and Giles Corey. Elizabeth was an example of a woman who was hurt badly and not trusting, but she still loves him. She still wants her husband to be alright, even though he betrayed her. John was example of a man that his sins have haunted him til his dying day. This seems similar to Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter. They both felt absorbed by their sins until they both admitted them in public. Mary Warren was example of fear in man's nature. Mary would let an innocent women be condemned for a crime she did not commit because she feared for her life. Then, Mary feared her safety, so she turned on John. This can also be seen in human nature: we do what is in our best interest to survive. Giles Corey represents a good honest man that died bravely. He stood up for his wife which in that time many men did not do. That took guts to do, and I admire him for that. Also when he doesn't give a plea, he realizes that he would be condemned anyway, so he went the route that would best benefit his family. That is a sign of a good man in my opinion. Also he accept he was going to die, so his last words were "More weight" which means he knew that he would die an honest man that would be honored later.
I believe that symbolism like in all the books we have read so far play important role portraying theme. The setting of full blown hysteria naming innocent people of witch craft was a symbol to portray a theme of fear. When men fear something, they do unspeakable things to keep themselves safe. They would even betray their best friends if it meant they would be safe from that fear. Man does the same thing in modern times. Gangs kill everyday because they fear about not living to see another day. In that mind set, If you get in my way of my safety, you're dead. That's why people in gangs shoot other people. They protect not only themselves but their family. The hysteria in the books shows that fear can spin out of control and you will still be affected in the end. When John admits to witch craft, but doesn't give any other names is a theme of honesty and kindness. he didn't want to throw anyone under the bus because he knew that he could not decide their fates just his, so he tells only his sins not theirs. The quote that John tells Elizabeth about not showing tears and a stony heart symbolize a theme of human reactions. Through out time, even today, people do crazy stuff to other people to get a reaction out of them. If they do, they feel contentment. If they don't the victory is empty. When she doesn't show tears about her husband's death, she shows the men that no matter what, they won't get a reaction out of her. Even though I know she is probably dying inside due to her love was going to die, but she need to keep a "stony heart" for the public.
Even though this was a good read, I didn't like it as much as the other books. It was a bit to confusing in the beginning. It took me a while to understand that it was meant to show the fear and revenge in the antagonists. Also, It was very hard to read when the girls went into fits in court. That moment was weird as well as sickening. Although those parts were confusing to me, "The Crucible" overall was an intriguing play that really portrayed the mass hysteria and unfairness surrounding the Salem Witch Trials.