Subjects:
trials that killed many Puritans in Massachusetts. In this play, Miller shows the reader
that the Puritans, as a whole were not as godly as they were portrayed. Miller also shows
how mass hysteria can be sparked by almost anything. The play takes place in Salem,
Massachusetts in 1692. Reverend Parris’s daughter, Betty, falls sick and for some reason
the townspeople suspect witchery. Taking advantage of this situation, a group of
unrespected girls that are greedy and envious of other people’s property and belongings
start to accuse people of witchcraft. The court believes them and after all is said and
done, twenty people are put to death, one hundred and fifty are jailed, and the girls flee.
Through this experience, John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and Reverend John Hale all
experience drastic changes in beliefs, habits, and morale.
John Proctor is a very dynamic character who changes almost everything about
himself from the play’s beginning to the play’s end. In the second act, Proctor talks with
Elizabeth and finds out that Mary Warren had left the house without permission. As soon
. . .
judged for lies, as though I come into a court when I come into this house. He realized the flaws in himself and had come to peace with
God.
Here he learns to control his anger while becoming a calmer and more reasonable person. She keeps saying, “I cannot
judge you, John, I cannot!” This is exactly the opposite of how she was acting in the
beginning of the play. You will never know how you will react under pressure unless
you experience it. John Proctor is not a very godly man because he doesn’t
go to church much. When Proctor was just trying to make a point about proving Abigail
wrong, she automatically accuses him of something that he didn’t do.
Reverend John Hale does not change much in the attributes of his character but he
does dramatically switch roles in the play. There doesn’t seem to be any love in
their relationship. She accuses so
much that he finally says, “Spare me! You forget nothin’ and forgive nothin’.
Through this experience, John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and John Hale all
experience drastic changes in beliefs, habits, and morale. It also demonstrates how mass hysteria starts
with people beliefs and accusations. He pleads with them to confess, and rejoices when they finally do. At first he plays the bad guy of the play. s he sees her, John grabs her by the cloak, furiously shaking her, and says, “How do you
go to Salem when I forbid it? Do you mock me? Ill whip you if you dare leave this
house again!” This statement demonstrates Proctor’s quick temperedness and shows that
he is a very emotional person.
Essay's Topics
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