The Crucible
Points to Consider:
1. What are the motivations of the following characters:
Abigail Williams
John Proctor
Elizabeth Proctor
The Putnams
Revs. Parris and Hale
Judges Danforth and Hathorne
2. At what point does dramatic irony begin to ratchet the tension of the drama?
3. Who best represents to voice of reason in this drama?
4. Who best represents the voice of fear/hysteria?
In terms of the Poe short stories, be prepared to answer various questions asking you to identify various elements of the dramatic structure of the stories, talk about mood, and discuss symbolism.
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6 comments:
When you say dramatic irony that ratchets the story, do you mean when the audience knows that the girls are lying, or when the audience knows Mary Warren is innocent, but is forced to lie anout Proctor? Are these examples the same situation? Also for the voice of fear do you mean the girls in general or someone specific like Abigail or Mary Warren?
The first instance is where we find the girls lying in Act I then the subsequent visit from Hale. The situation with Mary is even more obvious. As to your last question, who acts more out of fear rather than any other ulterior motive?
Ah I see. Mary acts more out of fear than Abigail, who like you said, is acting out of motive to kill Goody Proctor. With the Declaration and Crisis, Jefferson speaks incensed, but delegates his points through grievances to declare independence. Paine uses a more brash, emotionally charged plea to get the soldiers motivated against troops already in the U.S. Are these the correct projections?
That sums it up nicely, though Paine brings in his own evidence as well (though not as well organized as Jeff.).
Awesome! Last question promise haha. Amy and I were talking about who the voice of reason might be. She thinks it is Proctor, which I can see, but I believe it to be Hale. Re. Hale makes an effort to see both sides of each character's story, and strives to bring justice. He also tells Proctor to admit to witch craft to avoid the gallows.
Here's a good question: What is Hale's motivation? Why does he change? I have a hard time getting behind Hale as the voice of reason because of Miller's treatment of him in his introduction (p. 32-33 in my text). Hale seems to "wise up" only after his work has gone too far. The first people to condemn the girls as fakes are the voices of reason (Proctor being one- who are the others?).
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