The Crucible - Reason and Intelligence are powerless
The play The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is a suspenseful and thought-provoking drama, concerned with a theme of rising over adversity to stand for truth and righteousness. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, during the 17th Century, the play reiterates the story of mass hysteria, which was experienced during the Salem witch-hunt in 1692, as the community was stirred into madness by superstition, paranoia, malice, and the terrifying power of false accusations. Through John Proctor, Miller reveals the absurdity of the incident as the reader follows the struggles of his main character, in his effort to restore truth and righteousness. Throughout the play, Miller explores the influence of this outburst of human darkness, as reason and intelligence became powerless in Salem, 1692. The human darkness of vengeance and vindictiveness, and the power of lies and deceit, are seen to overpower the reason and intelligence of the Salem community, as seen through the characters of Reverend John Hale, and Rebecca Nurse. A fear of repercussions, a fear of isolation, and a fear of the invisible world, force reason and intelligence to become powerless before human darkness, and it is these ideas, which Miller explores so diligently in his play.
Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt uponthe guilt of them that died till now. A Puritan himself, he is seen to question the stifling laws enforced, and look further towards scientific evidence to support theories and assumptions, rather than subject himself to superstition and the consequent hysteria that took place. As the play continues, the audience begins to see that along with the fear of unnatural causes comes the potential for human darkness to inundate reason, as vicious rumours of witchcraft and the devil spread throughout the village. Thwarted in this and her plan revealed, she takes her revenge not only on the wife of the man after whom she lusts, but on a whole community who has frustrated her desires. However, she is easily broken down, when the court turns its scrutiny to her, and gives way to the hysteria and panic. Her hatred of Elizabeth is clear as she describes her to Parris as a ". Miller has portrayed the community of Salem to be easily swayed gossips, who use the witch-hunt as ". Them that will not confess will hang. Mr Parris discovered them himself in the dead of night. In his play, Miller uses the character of Hale as a representation of reason, intelligence, wisdom, and the ability to seek the truth in any situation. The temptation of human darkness is seen to overpower her morals and it is through these actions that Miller portrays his message. As previously established, the Puritan society based it's reasoning of events on religious factions, with inexplicable events being seen as an act of the Devil or a punishment for sin. It is from these beliefs that a fear of the unknown is established.
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