How Does Miller Create Dramatic Tension In Each Of The Four Acts Of The Crucible? Essay - 1,509 words

... PROCTOR '...Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.' HALE You have said that twice, sir' PROCTOR (lost): ye. (he if flailing for it.) ELIZABETH (delicately); Adultery, John. The stage directions show the difficulty this couple have had in discussing this topic. It seems fortunate for Proctor that he does not recall this last commandment on his own. This could suggest that he is willing to put his affair behind him.


When Elizabeth intervenes see merely delicately lets him know what he is flailing for as if to suggest that she has difficulty in saying the word. Very recent stage directions in this particular scene show that Elizabeth is without hesitation, even eager to recite the commandments. This shows that Elizabeth still thinks about his husbands affair. The act ends on a tense note with Elizabeth Proctor being arrested and John Proctor demanding Mary Warren to testify against the girls. He vows that he will fight the proceedings, even if it means confessing his own adultery. In Act 3, it becomes obvious soon after the trials started that many people were going to be falsely accused by their neighbours as a method of revenge, and as an outlet for their maliciousness. When Abigail uses this to attack Rebecca Nurse, one of the holiest Puritans in the Salem, John Proctor begins his efforts to stop the injustice.


This increases when Elizabeth Proctor is tried and sentenced to death. This is now John Proctor's struggle. He must fight to save his wife, his community and eventually himself. In addition, he also has to convince the leaders of Salem that they are mistaken in believing in Abigail. After Proctor admits to being an adulterer Elizabeth is brought in to support his confession and Proctor reassures Danforth, that woman will never lie, Mr Danforth. This statement is to have terrible consequences. As it is knowledge to John, Hale and the audience that Elizabeth is one of the saintliest of people it comes as a great shock when she denies the charge of lechery between her husband and Abigail so as to save her husbands reputation. DANFORTH Answer my question! Is your husband a lecher? ELIZABETH No, sir. PROCTOR (crying out): Elizabeth, I have confessed it! ELIZABETH Oh, God! PROCTOR She only thought to save my name! This would have left the audience feeling disappointment and pity for John Proctor.


The audience feel that this would have finally destroyed Abigails credibility, but Elizabeths misplaced loyalty destroys his case. The immediate events will consequently lead to John Proctors death where Mary accuses him of witchcraft. Abigail screams and claims that there is a bird on the beam and that it is attempting to attack her. Mary tries to stop her, Abigail repeats Marys words and is soon joined by the other girls in copying Mary. This dramatic acting by the girls would have also been visually exciting to watch although quite unbelievable that they are doing this. ABIGAIL The wings! Her wings are spreading! Mary, please, dont, dont -! HALE I see nothing, your honour! DANFORTH Do you confess this power! (He is an inch from her face) speak! ABIGAIL Shes going to come down! Shes walking the beam! After being accused by Mary of being a witch, John confesses. This would have surprised the audience as he is now lying, that is considered a sin, so as to avoid being hanged and not confessing, as what he knows is the right thing to do. Even though he has lied it makes no difference.


I am no good man. Nothings spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rot ten long before However he cannot allow Danforth to make his confession officially documented as he worries about his reputation. As Danforth asks him why John answers with a cry; PROCTOR "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life . . . How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name The word name is repeated a number of times.


John will not sign the paper stating his confession for the sake of his childrens future reputation. He realises his ability to be a good man and can accept death because of this. Hale starts to doubt if the very thing that he searches to rid the people of might be a lie. HALE ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Essay Tags: arthur miller, miller, tension, the crucible, salem village

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