Homework task 4

Arthur Miller was inspired by the Red Terror caused by the Mccarthyism to write the Crucible. The play was Miller's way of subtly mirroring what was happening in the US at that time. Joseph McCarthy claimed that there were many communists and soviet spies within the government. He spread doubt over the United States and this resulted in many unnecessary executions and punishments. Miller related this situation to his play where the supposed 'witches' in Salem were forced to confess or hang. Both situations arose from hysteria and the blame was shifted by one person as self preservation when something went wrong. The conflict escalated both in the play and in the US, it could have been stopped early on but as time grew those who tried to stop it were most likely executed and this put even more people in danger of being involved in the crossfire and chaos of the communities. People in America who were suspected to be communists had no way to prove their innocence and were condemned with little or no evidence. This is exemplified by Miller's play and the girls screaming names of people who were witches, they had no way to stop them or prove otherwise. The Hollywood ten, those who refused to confess as communists, were much like the accused witches in 'The Crucible' such as Rebecca and John Proctor. Nobody was willing to stand up to McCarthy or Abigail until they took it too far by accusing somebody close to the legality of the community and that was when people had sneaking suspicions. Both instances, in Salem and in the United States, innocents have been falsely accused, families separated and communities thrown into turmoil all due to the starting hysteria and shifting of blame.

Homework task 3

I will speak to him, but you hear my words: I am no witch, I do not conside with the devil, I am not made with calamity and you will respect my word! You need something from me, you need me speak sense to John, to persuae him to confess, you will not speak to me in such a manner. Leave me - I will speak with him  now, I value his life and will try for him to confess but I make no guarantees, for both outcomes will leave him a good and worthy man in my eyes.

Homework Task 2

Arthur Miller rejects the idea and takes sceptical attitude toward the devil and spirits. This is shown predominately through a passage where he states, “…The necessity of the devil may become evident as a weapon, a weapon designed and used time and time again in every age to whip men in to a surrender to a particular church or church-state.” (38) This displays Miller’s attitude toward the devil and spirits as he admits to thinking the Devil is only used as a scaring device to lure people to surrender to certain churches. “Better minds than Hale’s were - and still are – convinced that there is a society of spirits beyond our ken.”(37). Miller talks in first person using certain words to suggest he is not including himself in the phrase that people are still convinced about a society of spirits outside our knowledge. Arthur also gives note that the Devil and other evil spirits are difficult to believe as true through political influences, “Our difficulty in believing the political inspiration of the devil is due in great part to the fact that he is called up and damned not only by our social antagonists but by our own side…” Therefore, sufficient evidence is provided to concur that Miller did not believe in the idea of a devil or evil spirits.

Homework Task 1

Negative: I respond negatively to Abigail, the aspects of the text that make me feel this way are that she is trying to seduce a man who is already married, lie to her father and community to protect her herself, send hundreds of innocent people to court for being bewitched and a partner of the devil including her love’s wife – Goody Proctor. In the text she acts calmly to a situation where people are imprisoned or dead because of her, she hides her true colours and what she really think - Abigail is a snake ready to bite anyone that does her wrong. “I want to open myself!... I want the light of God; I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osborn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!” This is an example where Abigail pretends to be holy and good to Jesus just to earn credibility when she accuses innocent people of being a witch. Positive: I respond positively with John Proctor, the texts positions me to feel this way due to the fact that he turned down Abigail after she asked for a kiss and a touch to be loyal to his wife, he raises his whip to Marry when he finds she has come back from Salem but lowers it for an explanation, he considers the possibilities of condemning Abigail and telling the law the truth before committing to it, he tells his true feelings about Mr Parris to the Reverend even if it means getting himself in trouble.. John Proctor is responsible and level headed, he considers his options before picking a side and is honest. ‘Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time, but I will cut off my hand before I reach for you again. We never touched.’ He is honest with Abigail but still stays loyal to his wife and morals.