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丕賱亘賵鬲賯丞 兀賵 爻丕丨乇丕鬲 爻丕賱賷賲
丕賱賲爻乇丨賷丞 爻賷丕爻賷丞 鈥� 丕噩鬲賲丕毓賷丞貙 丕爻鬲賳丿鬲 丕賱賶 丕賱兀丨丿丕孬 丕賱鬲丕乇賷禺賷丞 賱賲丕 賷毓乇賮 亘賭"賲丨丕賰賲 丕賱爻賻丨賻乇賻丞" 丕賱鬲賷 丨氐賱鬲 賮賷 亘賱丿丞 "爻丕賱賲" 賮賷 賲丕爻丕鬲卮賵爻鬲爻 毓丕賲賷 1692 鈥� 3 賲. 賵賯丿 丕爻鬲賵丨賶 賲賷賱乇丕賱丨賲賱丞 丕賱鬲賻胤賴購乇賷丞 賱睾賱丕丞 兀氐賵賱賷賷賾 鬲賱賰 丕賱丨賯亘丞 貙 賵丕賱鬲賷 匕賴亘 囟丨賷賾鬲賴丕 毓卮乇丕鬲 丕賱賲賵丕胤賳賷賳貙 廿賲賾丕 卮賳賯丕賾 兀賵 賰亘爻丕賾 鬲丨鬲 丕賱丨噩丕乇丞貙 賰賷 賷賵噩賽賾賴 乇爻丕賱丞 氐丕乇禺丞 賱兀乇亘丕亘 賲丕 亘丕鬲 賷購毓乇賮 亘丕賱丨賯亘丞 丕賱賲賰丕乇孬賷賴 賮賷 丕賱賵賱丕賷丕鬲 丕賱賲鬲丨丿丞 丕賱兀賲賷乇賰賷丞 賵丕賱毓丕賱賲 丕賱乇兀爻賲丕賱賷 賯丕胤亘丞貙 囟丿 丕賱丨乇賷丕鬲 賵丕賱丨賯賵賯 丕賱賲丿賳賷丞貙 亘丕爻賲 賲賰丕賮丨丞 丕賱卮賷賵毓賷賴貙 賮賷 賲賳鬲氐賮 丕賱賯乇賳 丕賱毓卮乇賷賳. 賵鬲毓鬲亘乇 "丕賱亘賵鬲賯丞" 賲賳 丕賱兀毓賲丕賱 丕賱賱丕賾夭賲賰丕賳賷丞 賱兀賳 賲賵囟賵毓賴丕 丕賱乇卅賷爻賷 丕賱匕賷 賷乇賰賾夭 毓賱賶 丿賵乇 丕賱囟賲賷乇 丕賱廿賳爻丕賳賷 貙 賱丕 賷鬲氐賱 亘丕賱丨賯亘丞 丕賱賲丕賰乇孬賷賾丞 賵丨爻亘貙 亘賱 賵賷鬲噩丕賵夭賴丕 賱賷胤丕賱 賰賱 丕賱毓氐賵乇 賵丕賱兀賲賰賳丞貙 亘賲丕 賮賷賴丕 毓氐乇賳丕 賵毓丕賱賲賳丕 丕賱乇賾丕賴賳丕賳 . 賮亘賷賳 賲丨丕賰賲 丕賱鬲賮鬲賷卮 賵賲丨丕賰賲 丕賱爻丕丨乇丕鬲 賵賲丨丕賰賲 丕賱賲丕賰丕乇孬賷丞 賵氐賵賱丕賸 廿賱賶 賲丨丕賰賲 丕賱廿乇賴丕亘 賮賷 賵賯鬲賳丕 丕賱乇丕賴賳貙 賴賳丕賰 毓卮乇丕鬲 賵乇亘賲丕 賲卅丕鬲 賲賳 丕賱賲丨丕賰賲 鬲丨鬲 賲爻賲賾賷丕鬲 兀禺乇賶 噩乇鬲 賵賱丕 鬲夭丕賱 賮賷 兀賳丨丕亍 卮鬲賶 賲賳 丕賱毓丕賱賲. 賵丕賱噩丕賲毓 丕賱賲卮鬲乇賰 亘賷賳賴丕 賵丕丨丿 賵賴賵 " 兀賳鬲 賲噩乇賲 丨鬲賶 鬲孬亘鬲 亘乇丕亍鬲賰". 賱賰賳賾 "亘賵鬲賯丞" 賲賷賱乇 匕賴亘鬲 丕賱賶 兀亘毓丿 賲賳 賴匕丕 丕賱廿爻鬲賳鬲丕噩 貙 丨賷孬 兀賳 噩賲賷毓 丨噩噩 賵卮賵丕賴丿 丕賱亘乇丕亍丞 賷賲賰賳 兀賱丕賾 鬲氐賲丿 亘賵噩賴 丕賱胤睾賷丕賳 貙 賵廿賳 丨氐賱 賵睾賮乇 毓賳 丕賱囟丨賷丞 貙 賮爻鬲亘賯賶 丕賱鬲賴賲丞 丕賱噩丕卅乇丞 鬲胤丕乇丿 丨乇賾賷鬲賴丕貙 爻賲毓鬲賴丕貙 賰乇丕賲鬲賴丕 賵賲毓賷卮鬲賴丕 賵氐賵賱丕賸 丕賱賶 丕賱賯亘乇. 賱賯丿 丕爻鬲胤丕毓 賲賷賱乇 賲賳 禺賱丕賱 亘賳丕亍 賵賱睾丞 丕賱賲爻乇丨賷丞貙 廿賷氐丕賱 丕賱賮賰乇丞 丕賱乇卅賷爻賷丞 賱賭"丕賱亘賵鬲賯丞" 賵兀賮賰丕乇賴丕 丕賱賮乇毓賷丞 亘匕賰丕亍 賵亘乇丕毓丞 禺丕乇賯鬲賷賳貙 賱鬲卮賰賾賱 廿丨丿賶 乇賵丕卅毓 丕賱兀丿亘 丕賱廿賳诏賱賷夭賷 丕賱鬲賷 鬲乇賰鬲 亘氐賲丕鬲賴丕 毓賱賶 賲噩賲賱 丕賱丨賷丕丞 丕賱爻賷丕爻賷丞 鈥� 丕賱廿噩鬲賲丕毓賷丞 鈥� 丕賱孬賯丕賮賷丞 賮賷 丕賱賵賱丕賷丕鬲 丕賱賲鬲丨丿丞 丕賱兀賲賷乇賰賷丞 賵丕賱睾乇亘 毓丕賲丞.
144 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 22, 1953
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About the author
Arthur Miller
536听books3,041听followersWorks of American playwright Arthur Asher Miller include
Death of a Salesman
(1949), for which he won a Pulitzer Prize, and
The Crucible
(1953).
This essayist, a prominent figure in literature and cinema for over 61 years, composed a wide variety, such as celebrated A View from the Bridge and All My Sons , still studied and performed worldwide. Miller often in the public eye most famously refused to give evidence to the un-American activities committee of the House of Representatives, received award for drama, and married Marilyn Monroe. People at the time considered the greatest Miller.
This essayist, a prominent figure in literature and cinema for over 61 years, composed a wide variety, such as celebrated A View from the Bridge and All My Sons , still studied and performed worldwide. Miller often in the public eye most famously refused to give evidence to the un-American activities committee of the House of Representatives, received award for drama, and married Marilyn Monroe. People at the time considered the greatest Miller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 14,041 reviews
July 9, 2015
I hate to rate this so low when it seems that the only people who do so are those forced to read it by a cruel teacher. I'm even more troubled by the fact that I haven't seen anyone else bring up what bothers me about this play.
Yes, it's well written -- that is, the dialogue is expertly handled. There are truly beautiful passages, such as this one:
I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; the very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence, it died; and where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up.
But when it comes down to it, this is yet another piece of literature in which men HAVE sex, but women ARE sex. Men have complex lives and motivations; women's lives center entirely around men, specifically around attraction to and dependence on men.
Miller brought up the very real issues of property and land-lust that dominated the real trial. Why did he insist on sexualizing the girls involved -- to the point where he had to make one of the girls several years older than she really was? The terrifying thing about what the real "afflicted girls" did was that it comes across as a sort of motiveless malignity. They were lashing out at their own repressive society, possibly egged on by parents who wanted to use them as weapons in battles over land. That's fascinating.
Instead, Miller decided to say that the girls really were engaged in "witchcraft" -- or at least in stereotypical witch behavior: dancing naked in the woods at night, concocting evil brews. He insists that "there are accounts of similar klatches in Europe, where the daughters of the towns would assemble at night and, sometimes with fetishes, sometimes with a selected young man, give themselves to love, with some bastardly results." He doesn't seem to realize that these "accounts" are all from accusers or from the tortured accused. He really seems to believe that this went on.
Then there's the main character: John Proctor. Can't imagine why I have a hard time sympathizing with him.
Imagine you know a family with three young children. They hire an au pair. The dad has an affair with this young woman -- hardly older than a girl, a virgin, completely inexperienced in life or love. The mom suspects that something is going on and fires her, but stays with the dad. The dad bitches at the mom for always giving him that look and not acting happy to see him all the time. The mom breaks down crying and admits that her cold behavior must have pushed him into having an affair. The dad also bitches at the au pair, because this affair got her hopes up and she really thought it meant something to him the way it did to her. He screams at this teenager (who was lucky not to get pregnant, btw, since they didn't use birth control) to get over it, already -- he's married and he's staying that way.
If you heard about something like this -- maybe it happened to a friend of yours, maybe you read about it in a novel -- would your first sympathy really be with the poor, tormented man who has to put up with all these women acting like he owes them something?
Why has no one pointed out how creepy it is that John Proctor is genuinely supposed to be a sympathetic character, and Abigail is a monster?
And by the way -- contrary to what Miller says in his afterword, the only "legend" that "has it that Abigail turned up later as a prostitute in Boston" is the one he started by writing this.
Sorry. I'm not in 9th grade, and I still have problems with this modern classic. I understand why it is one; but I just can't give it the three "I liked it!" stars.
Yes, it's well written -- that is, the dialogue is expertly handled. There are truly beautiful passages, such as this one:
I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; the very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence, it died; and where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up.
But when it comes down to it, this is yet another piece of literature in which men HAVE sex, but women ARE sex. Men have complex lives and motivations; women's lives center entirely around men, specifically around attraction to and dependence on men.
Miller brought up the very real issues of property and land-lust that dominated the real trial. Why did he insist on sexualizing the girls involved -- to the point where he had to make one of the girls several years older than she really was? The terrifying thing about what the real "afflicted girls" did was that it comes across as a sort of motiveless malignity. They were lashing out at their own repressive society, possibly egged on by parents who wanted to use them as weapons in battles over land. That's fascinating.
Instead, Miller decided to say that the girls really were engaged in "witchcraft" -- or at least in stereotypical witch behavior: dancing naked in the woods at night, concocting evil brews. He insists that "there are accounts of similar klatches in Europe, where the daughters of the towns would assemble at night and, sometimes with fetishes, sometimes with a selected young man, give themselves to love, with some bastardly results." He doesn't seem to realize that these "accounts" are all from accusers or from the tortured accused. He really seems to believe that this went on.
Then there's the main character: John Proctor. Can't imagine why I have a hard time sympathizing with him.
Imagine you know a family with three young children. They hire an au pair. The dad has an affair with this young woman -- hardly older than a girl, a virgin, completely inexperienced in life or love. The mom suspects that something is going on and fires her, but stays with the dad. The dad bitches at the mom for always giving him that look and not acting happy to see him all the time. The mom breaks down crying and admits that her cold behavior must have pushed him into having an affair. The dad also bitches at the au pair, because this affair got her hopes up and she really thought it meant something to him the way it did to her. He screams at this teenager (who was lucky not to get pregnant, btw, since they didn't use birth control) to get over it, already -- he's married and he's staying that way.
If you heard about something like this -- maybe it happened to a friend of yours, maybe you read about it in a novel -- would your first sympathy really be with the poor, tormented man who has to put up with all these women acting like he owes them something?
Why has no one pointed out how creepy it is that John Proctor is genuinely supposed to be a sympathetic character, and Abigail is a monster?
And by the way -- contrary to what Miller says in his afterword, the only "legend" that "has it that Abigail turned up later as a prostitute in Boston" is the one he started by writing this.
Sorry. I'm not in 9th grade, and I still have problems with this modern classic. I understand why it is one; but I just can't give it the three "I liked it!" stars.
November 2, 2023
Because it is my name!
Massachusetts, 17th century. Worrisome events start taking place in Salem; a pagan naked dance ritual, an unexpected death at child birth, a small girl suddenly falling into catatonic state, people missing church. Nothing terribly out of ordinary, but just enough to raise concern. Gossip spreads, the town speaks of witchcraft, and when people start raising pointing fingers and accusations are laid, all hell breaks loose; the frenzy turns the town ablaze, and suspects starts piling up. Then the Inquisition begins.
A partially fictionalized play based on the true events and aftermath following the Salem witch trials which took place in and around Salem during the 1690鈥檚. An all-time classic by the great Arthur Miller, with untold representations in theater and cinema. An excellently crafted recreation, with well-defined multi-layered characters, like Reverend Parris, Investigator Hale, John and Elizabeth Proctor, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. An unforgettable story brimming such veracity that will most likely send chills down your spine.
In essence, a clear-cut critique on the strong and weak nature of the human spirit, the grievous consequences of greed, superstition and blind faith; and the terrible dangers of fear and mass hysteria. Greatly memorable. Recommendable.
*** The Crucible (1996) is a fantastic adaptation. Daniel Day-Lewis, as always, stealing the show and giving a flawless performance worthy of an Oscar. Winona also spectacular as Abigail, as well as Joan Allen as Elizabeth; and Paul Scofield as the unwavering Danforth (chills!). Excellent screenplay, atmosphere and pacing. And an amazingly memorable ending. Recommendable.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1953] [143p] [Classics] [3.5] [Recommendable] [Never doubt your goodness.]
-----------------------------------------------
隆Porque es mi nombre!
Massachusetts, Siglo XVII. Eventos preocupantes empiezan a suceder en Salem; un ritual pagano con danza desnuda, una inesperada muerte durante un parto, una joven ni帽a cayendo s煤bitamente en estado catat贸nico, personas faltando a la iglesia. Nada terriblemente apartado de lo ordinario, pero s铆 lo suficiente como para causar preocupaci贸n. Los rumores se esparcen, el pueblo habla de brujer铆a, y cuando las personas empiezan a levantar dedos para se帽alar y saltan las acusaciones, el infierno se desata; el frenes铆 hace que el pueblo arda, y los sospechosos se empiezan a apilar. Luego comienza la Inquisici贸n.
Una parcialmente ficcional obra de teatro basado en los eventos reales y las secuelas que siguieron a la Caza de brujas de Salem que tuvo lugar dentro y en los alrededores de Salen durante los a帽os de 1690. Un cl谩sico de todos los tiempos por el gran Arthur Miller, con incontables representaciones en teatro y cine. Una excelentemente armada recreaci贸n, con muy bien definidos y multifac茅ticos personajes, como el Reverendo Parris, el Investigador Hale, John y Elizabeth Proctor, Abigail Williams y el Juez Danforth. Una inolvidable historia que rebosa de tanta veracidad que te manda escalofr铆os a trav茅s de la columna.
En esencia, una clara y elaborada cr铆tica sobre la fuerte y d茅bil naturaleza del esp铆ritu humano, las graves consecuencias de la codicia, la superstici贸n y la fe ciega; y los terribles peligros del miedo y de la histeria colectiva. Enormemente memorable. Recomendable.
*** Las Brujas de Salem (1996) es una fant谩stica adaptaci贸n. Daniel Day-Lewis, como siempre, rob谩ndose las luces y dando una actuaci贸n impecable digna de un Oscar. Winona espectacular tambi茅n como Abigail, al igual que Joan Allen como Elizabeth; y Paul Scofield como el inquebrantable Danforth (隆miedo!). Excelente gui贸n, atm贸sfera y ritmo. Y un asombrosamente memorable final. Recomendable.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1953] [143p] [Cl谩sicos] [3.5] [Recomendable] [Nunca dudes tu bondad.]
-----------------------------------------------
Massachusetts, 17th century. Worrisome events start taking place in Salem; a pagan naked dance ritual, an unexpected death at child birth, a small girl suddenly falling into catatonic state, people missing church. Nothing terribly out of ordinary, but just enough to raise concern. Gossip spreads, the town speaks of witchcraft, and when people start raising pointing fingers and accusations are laid, all hell breaks loose; the frenzy turns the town ablaze, and suspects starts piling up. Then the Inquisition begins.
A partially fictionalized play based on the true events and aftermath following the Salem witch trials which took place in and around Salem during the 1690鈥檚. An all-time classic by the great Arthur Miller, with untold representations in theater and cinema. An excellently crafted recreation, with well-defined multi-layered characters, like Reverend Parris, Investigator Hale, John and Elizabeth Proctor, Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth. An unforgettable story brimming such veracity that will most likely send chills down your spine.
In essence, a clear-cut critique on the strong and weak nature of the human spirit, the grievous consequences of greed, superstition and blind faith; and the terrible dangers of fear and mass hysteria. Greatly memorable. Recommendable.
*** The Crucible (1996) is a fantastic adaptation. Daniel Day-Lewis, as always, stealing the show and giving a flawless performance worthy of an Oscar. Winona also spectacular as Abigail, as well as Joan Allen as Elizabeth; and Paul Scofield as the unwavering Danforth (chills!). Excellent screenplay, atmosphere and pacing. And an amazingly memorable ending. Recommendable.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1953] [143p] [Classics] [3.5] [Recommendable] [Never doubt your goodness.]
-----------------------------------------------
隆Porque es mi nombre!
Massachusetts, Siglo XVII. Eventos preocupantes empiezan a suceder en Salem; un ritual pagano con danza desnuda, una inesperada muerte durante un parto, una joven ni帽a cayendo s煤bitamente en estado catat贸nico, personas faltando a la iglesia. Nada terriblemente apartado de lo ordinario, pero s铆 lo suficiente como para causar preocupaci贸n. Los rumores se esparcen, el pueblo habla de brujer铆a, y cuando las personas empiezan a levantar dedos para se帽alar y saltan las acusaciones, el infierno se desata; el frenes铆 hace que el pueblo arda, y los sospechosos se empiezan a apilar. Luego comienza la Inquisici贸n.
Una parcialmente ficcional obra de teatro basado en los eventos reales y las secuelas que siguieron a la Caza de brujas de Salem que tuvo lugar dentro y en los alrededores de Salen durante los a帽os de 1690. Un cl谩sico de todos los tiempos por el gran Arthur Miller, con incontables representaciones en teatro y cine. Una excelentemente armada recreaci贸n, con muy bien definidos y multifac茅ticos personajes, como el Reverendo Parris, el Investigador Hale, John y Elizabeth Proctor, Abigail Williams y el Juez Danforth. Una inolvidable historia que rebosa de tanta veracidad que te manda escalofr铆os a trav茅s de la columna.
En esencia, una clara y elaborada cr铆tica sobre la fuerte y d茅bil naturaleza del esp铆ritu humano, las graves consecuencias de la codicia, la superstici贸n y la fe ciega; y los terribles peligros del miedo y de la histeria colectiva. Enormemente memorable. Recomendable.
*** Las Brujas de Salem (1996) es una fant谩stica adaptaci贸n. Daniel Day-Lewis, como siempre, rob谩ndose las luces y dando una actuaci贸n impecable digna de un Oscar. Winona espectacular tambi茅n como Abigail, al igual que Joan Allen como Elizabeth; y Paul Scofield como el inquebrantable Danforth (隆miedo!). Excelente gui贸n, atm贸sfera y ritmo. Y un asombrosamente memorable final. Recomendable.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1953] [143p] [Cl谩sicos] [3.5] [Recomendable] [Nunca dudes tu bondad.]
-----------------------------------------------
June 17, 2017
JOHN PROCTOR: What... what are we doing here? Where are we?
ELIZABETH PROCTOR: We're in a review, John.
JOHN PROCTOR: A review?
JOHN HALE: Yes, a review. Newt Gingrich has been encouraging people to read The Crucible. We've agreed to help him.
SAMUEL PARRIS: It's our duty, John. We're in the middle of the second worst witch hunt in American history.
JOHN PROCTOR: The second worst?
SAMUEL PARRIS: Yes, the second worst. After what's going to happen to Donald Trump in 2017. But at least our case is remotely comparable, so it offers people a point of reference.
JOHN PROCTOR: What's going to happen to him? Is he going to be pressed under huge stones like my friend Giles Corey?
SAMUEL PARRIS: I don't think so.
JOHN PROCTOR: Hanged on the basis of false accusations like Rebecca Nurse?
SAMUEL PARRIS: I believe not.
JOHN PROCTOR: Entrapped and then imprisoned like my poor, wronged wife?
SAMUEL PARRIS: I have different information.
JOHN PROCTOR: Well, what then?
SAMUEL PARRIS: People on late night talk shows are going to make a great many sarcastic comments about his tweeting habit. And after a while, he'll have said so many insane and self-incriminating things that a special counsel will be appointed to find out just what the hell is going on.
THE WHOLE COURT: Oh, how dreadful!
[Pause]
JOHN PROCTOR: You're right. We have to do something.
CURTAIN
ELIZABETH PROCTOR: We're in a review, John.
JOHN PROCTOR: A review?
JOHN HALE: Yes, a review. Newt Gingrich has been encouraging people to read The Crucible. We've agreed to help him.
SAMUEL PARRIS: It's our duty, John. We're in the middle of the second worst witch hunt in American history.
JOHN PROCTOR: The second worst?
SAMUEL PARRIS: Yes, the second worst. After what's going to happen to Donald Trump in 2017. But at least our case is remotely comparable, so it offers people a point of reference.
JOHN PROCTOR: What's going to happen to him? Is he going to be pressed under huge stones like my friend Giles Corey?
SAMUEL PARRIS: I don't think so.
JOHN PROCTOR: Hanged on the basis of false accusations like Rebecca Nurse?
SAMUEL PARRIS: I believe not.
JOHN PROCTOR: Entrapped and then imprisoned like my poor, wronged wife?
SAMUEL PARRIS: I have different information.
JOHN PROCTOR: Well, what then?
SAMUEL PARRIS: People on late night talk shows are going to make a great many sarcastic comments about his tweeting habit. And after a while, he'll have said so many insane and self-incriminating things that a special counsel will be appointed to find out just what the hell is going on.
THE WHOLE COURT: Oh, how dreadful!
[Pause]
JOHN PROCTOR: You're right. We have to do something.
CURTAIN
November 6, 2024
Woman in Salem, MA (1692): *Exists*
Puritans:
[Photo Text: House GOP tweeting "This is all heresy"]
Puritans:
[Photo Text: House GOP tweeting "This is all heresy"]
September 30, 2024
I love this play because Arthur Miller wrote it to remind us of why [literal and metaphorical] witch hunts are dangerous. Sadly, it鈥檚 2024 and we still aren鈥檛 listening.
Also, I may be in the minority here, but I love me a female villain that has little to no redeemable qualities. Not even kidding. Probably because I love psychoanalytic criticism.
Before I get into it, I want to be clear that none of the following excuses what Abigail Williams did. I鈥檓 just a dork who loves lit. analysis. 馃
John Proctor can call Abigail Williams a whore all the live-long day, but she鈥檚 not the one who is cheating on anyone. She鈥檚 also half his age. She also lived in a society that repressed absolutely everyone, women in particular, and every citizen lived in fear of their own shadow thanks to the hellfire-loving God and snooping neighbors. Children were seen, not heard. Puritans spent all day, every day working and praying (except Sunday鈥攖hen you were just praying). Girl had a lot of pent up energy. So, when John Proctor showed her a way to...ehm...channel that energy...there was no going back.
Also, people in Salem may have been high AF thanks to ergotism poisoning, so she probably actually did see a few of those 鈥渟pirits鈥� flying around the courtroom.
ANYWAY. Read the play. Watch the play. Watch the movie. Idgaf. Everyone familiarize yourself with the history so we can finally stop being hysterical idiots.
P.S.鈥擥iles Corey was a badass. I鈥檓 positive historical censorship rewrote his last words, because they most absolutely had to be, 鈥淢ore weight, motherfuckers.鈥� 馃帳
Also, I may be in the minority here, but I love me a female villain that has little to no redeemable qualities. Not even kidding. Probably because I love psychoanalytic criticism.
Before I get into it, I want to be clear that none of the following excuses what Abigail Williams did. I鈥檓 just a dork who loves lit. analysis. 馃
John Proctor can call Abigail Williams a whore all the live-long day, but she鈥檚 not the one who is cheating on anyone. She鈥檚 also half his age. She also lived in a society that repressed absolutely everyone, women in particular, and every citizen lived in fear of their own shadow thanks to the hellfire-loving God and snooping neighbors. Children were seen, not heard. Puritans spent all day, every day working and praying (except Sunday鈥攖hen you were just praying). Girl had a lot of pent up energy. So, when John Proctor showed her a way to...ehm...channel that energy...there was no going back.
Also, people in Salem may have been high AF thanks to ergotism poisoning, so she probably actually did see a few of those 鈥渟pirits鈥� flying around the courtroom.
ANYWAY. Read the play. Watch the play. Watch the movie. Idgaf. Everyone familiarize yourself with the history so we can finally stop being hysterical idiots.
P.S.鈥擥iles Corey was a badass. I鈥檓 positive historical censorship rewrote his last words, because they most absolutely had to be, 鈥淢ore weight, motherfuckers.鈥� 馃帳
October 31, 2021
The Crucible: a play in four acts, Arthur Miller
The Crucible is a 1953 play by American playwright Arthur Miller. Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism, when the United States government persecuted people accused of being communists.
In 1692, in the small town of Salem (Massachusetts), rumor has it that a young woman has done an obscene curse. The inhabitants accuse each other and fall prey to an unstoppable mass hysteria, and then a trial begins that may lead to fearsome revenge ... Arthur Miller conceived The Salem Witches in the black age of the "witch hunt" deployed in America during McCarthyism. Later he collaborated in its adaptation to the cinema, entitled El Cruol and whose script is offered after the play.
毓賳賵丕賳賴丕蹖 趩丕倬 卮丿賴 丿乇 丕蹖乇丕賳: 芦噩丕丿賵诏乇丕賳 卮賴乇 爻丕賱賲 (爻蹖賱賲 賲丕爻丕趩賵爻鬲)禄貨 芦爻丕丨乇賴 爻賵夭丕賳禄貨 芦趩卮賲鈥� 丕賳丿丕夭蹖 丕夭 倬賱 賵 诏匕乇 丕夭 丌夭賲賵賳禄貨 芦丌夭賲賵賳 丌賳卮蹖賳禄貨 芦亘賵鬲賴 蹖 丌夭賲丕蹖卮禄貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇貨 鬲丕乇蹖禺 賳禺爻鬲蹖賳 禺賵丕賳卮: 乇賵夭 倬賳噩賲 賲丕賴 丕讴鬲亘乇 爻丕賱1972賲蹖賱丕丿蹖
毓賳賵丕賳: 噩丕丿賵诏乇丕賳 卮賴乇 爻丕賱賲 - 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 丿乇 趩賴丕乇 倬乇丿賴貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇貨 賲鬲乇噩賲: 賲噩蹖丿 丕賲蹖賳 賲賵蹖丿貨 丨丕丿孬賴 丿乇賵蹖卮蹖貨 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 氐丕卅亘貙 爻丕賱1345貨 丿乇125氐貨 賲賵囟賵毓 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 賴丕蹖 賳賵蹖爻賳丿诏丕賳 丕蹖丕賱丕鬲 賲鬲丨丿賴 丌賲乇蹖讴丕 - 爻丿賴 20賲
毓賳賵丕賳: 爻丕丨乇賴 爻賵夭丕賳貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇貨 賲鬲乇噩賲: 賮乇蹖丿賵賳 賮丕胤賲蹖貨 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 賳卮乇 賲乇讴夭貙 爻丕賱1368貨 丿乇155氐貨
毓賳賵丕賳: 趩卮賲鈥� 丕賳丿丕夭蹖 丕夭 倬賱 賵 诏匕乇 丕夭 丌夭賲賵賳貨賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇貨 賲鬲乇噩賲: 賲賳蹖跇賴 賲丨丕賲丿蹖貨 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 丕賮乇丕夭貙 锟斤拷丕賱1388貨 丿乇191氐貨 卮丕亘讴9789642837878貨
毓賳賵丕賳: 丌夭賲賵賳 丌賳卮蹖賳 - 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 丿乇 趩賴丕乇 倬乇丿賴貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇貨 賲鬲乇噩賲: 賲賳賵趩賴乇 禺丕讴爻丕乇 賴乇爻蹖賳蹖貨 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 丕賮乇丕夭貙 爻丕賱1389貨 丿乇208氐貨 卮丕亘讴9789642434626貨
亘賵鬲賴 蹖 丌夭賲丕蹖卮 (爻丕丨乇賴 爻賵夭丕賳)貨 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 丕蹖 丿乇 趩賴丕乇 倬乇丿賴 丕爻鬲貙 賵 亘丕 趩賴丕乇 毓賳賵丕賳 亘賴 賮丕乇爻蹖 亘乇诏乇丿丕賳 卮丿賴貨 賳賲丕蹖卮鈥屬嗀з呝� 賳禺爻鬲蹖賳鈥屫ㄘж� 丿乇 爻丕賱1952賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 賵 倬爻鈥� 丕夭 丌賳 亘丕乇賴丕 亘丕 丕噩乇丕賴丕蹖 诏賵賳丕诏賵賳 乇賵蹖 氐丨賳賴 丌賲丿賴 丕爻鬲貙 丕夭 跇乇賮鬲乇蹖賳 丿乇丕賲鈥屬囏й� 噩賴丕賳 倬爻鈥屫ж� 噩賳诏賽 丿賵賾賲 噩賴丕賳诏蹖乇 賵 丕孬乇蹖 讴賱丕爻蹖讴 丿乇 賳賲丕蹖卮鈥屬嗀з呝団€� 賳賵蹖爻蹖 賲丿乇賳 丕爻鬲貨 丿丕爻鬲丕賳 賲丨丕讴賲丕鬲 噩丕丿賵诏乇蹖 丿乇 芦爻蹖賱賲禄貙 丕夭 爻丕賱鈥�1692賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 鬲丕 爻丕賱 1693賲蹖賱丕丿蹖貙 丿乇 芦賲丕爻丕趩賵爻鬲禄 丌賲乇蹖讴丕爻鬲貨
賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴貙 丿乇 亘丕乇賴 蹖 亘丕賵乇賴丕貙 賵 趩诏賵賳诏蹖 夭賳丿诏蹖 爻丕讴賳丕賳 禺乇丕賮丕鬲蹖 賮乇賯賴 蹖 芦倬賵乇蹖鬲丕賳禄 丕爻鬲貙 讴賴 丿乇 卮賴乇 芦爻丕賱賲 (爻蹖賱賲) 賲丕爻丕趩賵爻鬲禄貙 乇賵夭诏丕乇 賲蹖诏匕乇丕賳賳丿貨 卮賴乇蹖貙 亘丕 倬蹖卮蹖賳賴 蹖 趩賴賱 爻丕賱賴貙 讴賴 鬲賵爻胤 倬蹖乇賵丕賳 賴賲丕賳 賮乇賯賴貙 亘賳丕 诏乇丿蹖丿賴貙 賵 丿乇 丌賳 丕夭 賴蹖趩诏賵賳賴 鬲賮乇蹖丨 賵 爻乇诏乇賲蹖 賴賲丕賳賳丿 鬲卅丕鬲乇貙 蹖丕 噩卮賳 讴乇蹖爻賲爻 賵 鈥ω� 禺亘乇蹖 賳蹖爻鬲貙 賵 賲乇丿賲丕賳卮 賲賵馗賮 賴爻鬲賳丿貙 讴賴 鬲毓胤蹖賱丕鬲 禺賵丿 乇丕貙 鬲賳賴丕 亘丕 丿毓丕 賵 賳蹖丕蹖卮 亘賴 丿乇诏丕賴 禺丿丕賵賳丿 爻倬乇蹖 讴賳賳丿貨 丿乇 賴賲蹖賳 乇丕爻鬲丕貙 毓丿賴 丕蹖 賳蹖夭 賲丕賲賵乇蹖鬲 丿丕乇賳丿貙 丿乇 爻胤丨 卮賴乇 诏卮鬲 夭賳賳丿貙 賵 丕賮乇丕丿蹖 乇丕 讴賴 丕賵賯丕鬲卮丕賳 乇丕 亘賴 亘胤丕賱鬲貙 賵 亘丿賵賳 倬乇丿丕禺鬲賳 亘賴 賲賳丕噩丕鬲 爻倬乇蹖 賲蹖讴賳賳丿貙 卮賳丕爻丕蹖蹖 讴乇丿賴貙 賵 丌賳賴丕 乇丕 亘賴 丕丿丕乇賴 讴賳賳丿诏丕賳 卮賴乇貙 賲毓乇賮蹖 賳賲丕蹖賳丿貙 鬲丕 倬爻 丕夭 倬蹖诏蹖乇蹖貙 賵 亘乇乇爻蹖 賵囟毓蹖鬲卮丕賳貙 丿乇 氐賵乇鬲蹖 讴賴 丿賱蹖賱 賯丕賳毓 讴賳賳丿賴 丕蹖貙 亘乇丕蹖 毓賲賱 禺賵丿 賳丿丕卮鬲賴 亘丕卮賳丿貙 賲噩丕夭丕鬲 卮丿賴 賵 賲丕蹖賴 蹖 毓亘乇鬲 丿蹖诏乇丕賳 卮賵賳丿貨 丿乇 賯賵丕賳蹖賳 爻賮鬲 賵 爻禺鬲 芦爻賱蹖賲禄貙 卮丕蹖毓丕鬲蹖 賲亘賳蹖 亘乇 丕蹖賳讴賴 夭賳丕賳貙 丿乇 丨丕賱 鬲賲乇蹖賳 噩丕丿賵诏乇蹖 賴爻鬲賳丿貨 鬲乇爻 賵 爻賵亍 馗賳 賲乇丿賲丕賳 卮賴乇 乇丕 亘乇賲蹖丕賳诏蹖夭丿貨 賵 賴賳诏丕賲蹖讴賴 蹖讴 丿禺鬲乇 噩賵丕賳 亘賴 賳丕賲 芦丕賱蹖夭丕亘鬲 倬乇賵鬲賵乇禄 乇丕貙 亘賴 噩丕丿賵诏乇蹖 賲鬲賴賲 賲蹖讴賳賳丿貙 乇賴亘乇丕賳 禺賵丿 賲禺鬲丕乇 讴賱蹖爻丕貙 賵 丕賴丕賱蹖 卮賴乇 丕氐乇丕乇 丿丕乇賳丿貙 讴賴 芦丕賱蹖夭丕亘鬲禄 賲丨丕讴賲賴 卮賵丿貨 亘蹖乇丨賲蹖 丿丕丿爻鬲丕賳賴丕 賵 丕卮鬲蹖丕賯 賴賲爻丕蹖賴 賴丕 亘賴 卮賴丕丿鬲 丿乇 亘丕乇賴 蹖 賴賲爻丕蹖賴 賴丕蹖 禺賵蹖卮貙 禺卮賵賳鬲 爻乇讴賵亘 卮丿賴 蹖 丕噩鬲賲丕毓 乇丕貙 乇賵卮賳 賲蹖讴賳丿貨
鬲丕乇蹖禺 亘賴賳诏丕賲 乇爻丕賳蹖 04/10/1399賴噩乇蹖 禺賵乇卮蹖丿蹖貨 08/08/1400賴噩乇蹖 禺賵乇卮蹖丿蹖貨 丕. 卮乇亘蹖丕賳蹖
The Crucible is a 1953 play by American playwright Arthur Miller. Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism, when the United States government persecuted people accused of being communists.
In 1692, in the small town of Salem (Massachusetts), rumor has it that a young woman has done an obscene curse. The inhabitants accuse each other and fall prey to an unstoppable mass hysteria, and then a trial begins that may lead to fearsome revenge ... Arthur Miller conceived The Salem Witches in the black age of the "witch hunt" deployed in America during McCarthyism. Later he collaborated in its adaptation to the cinema, entitled El Cruol and whose script is offered after the play.
毓賳賵丕賳賴丕蹖 趩丕倬 卮丿賴 丿乇 丕蹖乇丕賳: 芦噩丕丿賵诏乇丕賳 卮賴乇 爻丕賱賲 (爻蹖賱賲 賲丕爻丕趩賵爻鬲)禄貨 芦爻丕丨乇賴 爻賵夭丕賳禄貨 芦趩卮賲鈥� 丕賳丿丕夭蹖 丕夭 倬賱 賵 诏匕乇 丕夭 丌夭賲賵賳禄貨 芦丌夭賲賵賳 丌賳卮蹖賳禄貨 芦亘賵鬲賴 蹖 丌夭賲丕蹖卮禄貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇貨 鬲丕乇蹖禺 賳禺爻鬲蹖賳 禺賵丕賳卮: 乇賵夭 倬賳噩賲 賲丕賴 丕讴鬲亘乇 爻丕賱1972賲蹖賱丕丿蹖
毓賳賵丕賳: 噩丕丿賵诏乇丕賳 卮賴乇 爻丕賱賲 - 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 丿乇 趩賴丕乇 倬乇丿賴貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇貨 賲鬲乇噩賲: 賲噩蹖丿 丕賲蹖賳 賲賵蹖丿貨 丨丕丿孬賴 丿乇賵蹖卮蹖貨 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 氐丕卅亘貙 爻丕賱1345貨 丿乇125氐貨 賲賵囟賵毓 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 賴丕蹖 賳賵蹖爻賳丿诏丕賳 丕蹖丕賱丕鬲 賲鬲丨丿賴 丌賲乇蹖讴丕 - 爻丿賴 20賲
毓賳賵丕賳: 爻丕丨乇賴 爻賵夭丕賳貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇貨 賲鬲乇噩賲: 賮乇蹖丿賵賳 賮丕胤賲蹖貨 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 賳卮乇 賲乇讴夭貙 爻丕賱1368貨 丿乇155氐貨
毓賳賵丕賳: 趩卮賲鈥� 丕賳丿丕夭蹖 丕夭 倬賱 賵 诏匕乇 丕夭 丌夭賲賵賳貨賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇貨 賲鬲乇噩賲: 賲賳蹖跇賴 賲丨丕賲丿蹖貨 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 丕賮乇丕夭貙 锟斤拷丕賱1388貨 丿乇191氐貨 卮丕亘讴9789642837878貨
毓賳賵丕賳: 丌夭賲賵賳 丌賳卮蹖賳 - 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 丿乇 趩賴丕乇 倬乇丿賴貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇貨 賲鬲乇噩賲: 賲賳賵趩賴乇 禺丕讴爻丕乇 賴乇爻蹖賳蹖貨 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 丕賮乇丕夭貙 爻丕賱1389貨 丿乇208氐貨 卮丕亘讴9789642434626貨
亘賵鬲賴 蹖 丌夭賲丕蹖卮 (爻丕丨乇賴 爻賵夭丕賳)貨 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 丕蹖 丿乇 趩賴丕乇 倬乇丿賴 丕爻鬲貙 賵 亘丕 趩賴丕乇 毓賳賵丕賳 亘賴 賮丕乇爻蹖 亘乇诏乇丿丕賳 卮丿賴貨 賳賲丕蹖卮鈥屬嗀з呝� 賳禺爻鬲蹖賳鈥屫ㄘж� 丿乇 爻丕賱1952賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 賵 倬爻鈥� 丕夭 丌賳 亘丕乇賴丕 亘丕 丕噩乇丕賴丕蹖 诏賵賳丕诏賵賳 乇賵蹖 氐丨賳賴 丌賲丿賴 丕爻鬲貙 丕夭 跇乇賮鬲乇蹖賳 丿乇丕賲鈥屬囏й� 噩賴丕賳 倬爻鈥屫ж� 噩賳诏賽 丿賵賾賲 噩賴丕賳诏蹖乇 賵 丕孬乇蹖 讴賱丕爻蹖讴 丿乇 賳賲丕蹖卮鈥屬嗀з呝団€� 賳賵蹖爻蹖 賲丿乇賳 丕爻鬲貨 丿丕爻鬲丕賳 賲丨丕讴賲丕鬲 噩丕丿賵诏乇蹖 丿乇 芦爻蹖賱賲禄貙 丕夭 爻丕賱鈥�1692賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 鬲丕 爻丕賱 1693賲蹖賱丕丿蹖貙 丿乇 芦賲丕爻丕趩賵爻鬲禄 丌賲乇蹖讴丕爻鬲貨
賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴貙 丿乇 亘丕乇賴 蹖 亘丕賵乇賴丕貙 賵 趩诏賵賳诏蹖 夭賳丿诏蹖 爻丕讴賳丕賳 禺乇丕賮丕鬲蹖 賮乇賯賴 蹖 芦倬賵乇蹖鬲丕賳禄 丕爻鬲貙 讴賴 丿乇 卮賴乇 芦爻丕賱賲 (爻蹖賱賲) 賲丕爻丕趩賵爻鬲禄貙 乇賵夭诏丕乇 賲蹖诏匕乇丕賳賳丿貨 卮賴乇蹖貙 亘丕 倬蹖卮蹖賳賴 蹖 趩賴賱 爻丕賱賴貙 讴賴 鬲賵爻胤 倬蹖乇賵丕賳 賴賲丕賳 賮乇賯賴貙 亘賳丕 诏乇丿蹖丿賴貙 賵 丿乇 丌賳 丕夭 賴蹖趩诏賵賳賴 鬲賮乇蹖丨 賵 爻乇诏乇賲蹖 賴賲丕賳賳丿 鬲卅丕鬲乇貙 蹖丕 噩卮賳 讴乇蹖爻賲爻 賵 鈥ω� 禺亘乇蹖 賳蹖爻鬲貙 賵 賲乇丿賲丕賳卮 賲賵馗賮 賴爻鬲賳丿貙 讴賴 鬲毓胤蹖賱丕鬲 禺賵丿 乇丕貙 鬲賳賴丕 亘丕 丿毓丕 賵 賳蹖丕蹖卮 亘賴 丿乇诏丕賴 禺丿丕賵賳丿 爻倬乇蹖 讴賳賳丿貨 丿乇 賴賲蹖賳 乇丕爻鬲丕貙 毓丿賴 丕蹖 賳蹖夭 賲丕賲賵乇蹖鬲 丿丕乇賳丿貙 丿乇 爻胤丨 卮賴乇 诏卮鬲 夭賳賳丿貙 賵 丕賮乇丕丿蹖 乇丕 讴賴 丕賵賯丕鬲卮丕賳 乇丕 亘賴 亘胤丕賱鬲貙 賵 亘丿賵賳 倬乇丿丕禺鬲賳 亘賴 賲賳丕噩丕鬲 爻倬乇蹖 賲蹖讴賳賳丿貙 卮賳丕爻丕蹖蹖 讴乇丿賴貙 賵 丌賳賴丕 乇丕 亘賴 丕丿丕乇賴 讴賳賳丿诏丕賳 卮賴乇貙 賲毓乇賮蹖 賳賲丕蹖賳丿貙 鬲丕 倬爻 丕夭 倬蹖诏蹖乇蹖貙 賵 亘乇乇爻蹖 賵囟毓蹖鬲卮丕賳貙 丿乇 氐賵乇鬲蹖 讴賴 丿賱蹖賱 賯丕賳毓 讴賳賳丿賴 丕蹖貙 亘乇丕蹖 毓賲賱 禺賵丿 賳丿丕卮鬲賴 亘丕卮賳丿貙 賲噩丕夭丕鬲 卮丿賴 賵 賲丕蹖賴 蹖 毓亘乇鬲 丿蹖诏乇丕賳 卮賵賳丿貨 丿乇 賯賵丕賳蹖賳 爻賮鬲 賵 爻禺鬲 芦爻賱蹖賲禄貙 卮丕蹖毓丕鬲蹖 賲亘賳蹖 亘乇 丕蹖賳讴賴 夭賳丕賳貙 丿乇 丨丕賱 鬲賲乇蹖賳 噩丕丿賵诏乇蹖 賴爻鬲賳丿貨 鬲乇爻 賵 爻賵亍 馗賳 賲乇丿賲丕賳 卮賴乇 乇丕 亘乇賲蹖丕賳诏蹖夭丿貨 賵 賴賳诏丕賲蹖讴賴 蹖讴 丿禺鬲乇 噩賵丕賳 亘賴 賳丕賲 芦丕賱蹖夭丕亘鬲 倬乇賵鬲賵乇禄 乇丕貙 亘賴 噩丕丿賵诏乇蹖 賲鬲賴賲 賲蹖讴賳賳丿貙 乇賴亘乇丕賳 禺賵丿 賲禺鬲丕乇 讴賱蹖爻丕貙 賵 丕賴丕賱蹖 卮賴乇 丕氐乇丕乇 丿丕乇賳丿貙 讴賴 芦丕賱蹖夭丕亘鬲禄 賲丨丕讴賲賴 卮賵丿貨 亘蹖乇丨賲蹖 丿丕丿爻鬲丕賳賴丕 賵 丕卮鬲蹖丕賯 賴賲爻丕蹖賴 賴丕 亘賴 卮賴丕丿鬲 丿乇 亘丕乇賴 蹖 賴賲爻丕蹖賴 賴丕蹖 禺賵蹖卮貙 禺卮賵賳鬲 爻乇讴賵亘 卮丿賴 蹖 丕噩鬲賲丕毓 乇丕貙 乇賵卮賳 賲蹖讴賳丿貨
鬲丕乇蹖禺 亘賴賳诏丕賲 乇爻丕賳蹖 04/10/1399賴噩乇蹖 禺賵乇卮蹖丿蹖貨 08/08/1400賴噩乇蹖 禺賵乇卮蹖丿蹖貨 丕. 卮乇亘蹖丕賳蹖
August 12, 2024
This is a magnificent play about what happens when hysteria takes over a society and evil people gain access to the levers of power; something, alas, which happens all too frequently.
The focus of the story is John Proctor's struggle to redeem himself from the horrible guilt he has suffered since committing adultery with Abigail. This is indeed very moving. But for some reason, the part I think of most often is a detail concerning one of the minor characters, Giles Corey, who dies offstage halfway through. Giles is one of many citizens falsely accused of witchcraft by Abigail and those who are exploiting her. He is an impossible situation; irrespective of whether he pleads guilty or innocent, he is doomed. But Giles has a long history of litigation and knows the law very well. He simply refuses to enter any plea at all.
They fetch huge stones and lay them on top of him, to force him to say something. But the only words he ever utters are "More weight". And so he dies uncompromised and his farm is inherited by his children. The person telling the story finishes and adds, "It was a fearsome man, Giles Corey".
_____________________
I just looked it up on Wikipedia; apparently it's all true. is very good.
The focus of the story is John Proctor's struggle to redeem himself from the horrible guilt he has suffered since committing adultery with Abigail. This is indeed very moving. But for some reason, the part I think of most often is a detail concerning one of the minor characters, Giles Corey, who dies offstage halfway through. Giles is one of many citizens falsely accused of witchcraft by Abigail and those who are exploiting her. He is an impossible situation; irrespective of whether he pleads guilty or innocent, he is doomed. But Giles has a long history of litigation and knows the law very well. He simply refuses to enter any plea at all.
They fetch huge stones and lay them on top of him, to force him to say something. But the only words he ever utters are "More weight". And so he dies uncompromised and his farm is inherited by his children. The person telling the story finishes and adds, "It was a fearsome man, Giles Corey".
_____________________
I just looked it up on Wikipedia; apparently it's all true. is very good.
July 19, 2024
馃寵 My visit to Salem in late October, with the wind rising and the trees and leaves flying, brought all the wicked injustice of the Puritans home.
鉁ˋ significant book and play.
馃悎鈥嶁瑳 As always, I encourage you to either read the play and then watch a performance 馃幁 or watch a performance and then read the play. Theater is not a novel so it鈥檚 best enjoyed acted out in film or on the stage
鉁ˋ significant book and play.
馃悎鈥嶁瑳 As always, I encourage you to either read the play and then watch a performance 馃幁 or watch a performance and then read the play. Theater is not a novel so it鈥檚 best enjoyed acted out in film or on the stage
December 25, 2018
鈥淏ecause it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life.鈥�
"The Crucible" is many things. A piece of great American theatre, a gift to actors, and a wonderful read! One thing it is not is a piece of history, so be warned. Too many people read this as a historical text, despite Arthur Miller's explicit instructions in the play's notes to not do so, and thus they miss the forest for the trees. This is not an examination of the Salem Witch Trials, but rather a fictional rendering of a historical event, in order for the modern reader or viewer to examine their own bias, prejudices, hypocrisy, or concepts of honor.
To me, this play is about one's man's personal redemption. The protagonist of the play, John Proctor, is a fallen man for many reasons, and the play really traces his moral progression to final absolution through honor, truth, and dignity. The events of Salem in 1692 are used for dramatic purposes to tell this story. And what a story it is.
Every time I read this play I feel intense hatred for theocracy and dogmatic religion wherever it may be found, and I also find myself examining my own personal code of ethics and seeing how I stand in the world of moral affairs. I should add this play makes me hate rigid dogma in all areas. Politics, religion, philosophy, science, etc. Mob mentality, politics above all else, etc. are not exclusive to the world of religion or a certain political or scientific philosophy. If you think they are, you are the dogmatic fool this play takes on.
"The Crucible" is wonderfully structured in four acts, each one better than the one that preceded it, and it builds to a crescendo and a very abrupt ending that leaves the reader with a pounding heart, an angry mind, and a moral quandary. No small feat!
The text has a very large cast of characters, but in this edition all of Miller's notes are included, and so it reads like a novel, and is a very enjoyable experience, even if one never actually sees it in performance. In the hands of a bad acting company it would be deadly dull, but done well it is exciting. The film version, for which Arthur Miller also wrote the screenplay, is not bad either. Daniel Day Lewis is an excellent John Proctor, and it captures the spirit of the text very well.
The climactic moment of the play is preceded by a very tender and brutally touching scene between a husband and wife, both of whom have had their moments of not loving the other one well. My heart ached and soared while reading it.
If you don't know this seminal American work, you should. Read it, let it take you on a very emotional journey, and then self-reflect.
The greatest literature makes us do just that.
"The Crucible" is many things. A piece of great American theatre, a gift to actors, and a wonderful read! One thing it is not is a piece of history, so be warned. Too many people read this as a historical text, despite Arthur Miller's explicit instructions in the play's notes to not do so, and thus they miss the forest for the trees. This is not an examination of the Salem Witch Trials, but rather a fictional rendering of a historical event, in order for the modern reader or viewer to examine their own bias, prejudices, hypocrisy, or concepts of honor.
To me, this play is about one's man's personal redemption. The protagonist of the play, John Proctor, is a fallen man for many reasons, and the play really traces his moral progression to final absolution through honor, truth, and dignity. The events of Salem in 1692 are used for dramatic purposes to tell this story. And what a story it is.
Every time I read this play I feel intense hatred for theocracy and dogmatic religion wherever it may be found, and I also find myself examining my own personal code of ethics and seeing how I stand in the world of moral affairs. I should add this play makes me hate rigid dogma in all areas. Politics, religion, philosophy, science, etc. Mob mentality, politics above all else, etc. are not exclusive to the world of religion or a certain political or scientific philosophy. If you think they are, you are the dogmatic fool this play takes on.
"The Crucible" is wonderfully structured in four acts, each one better than the one that preceded it, and it builds to a crescendo and a very abrupt ending that leaves the reader with a pounding heart, an angry mind, and a moral quandary. No small feat!
The text has a very large cast of characters, but in this edition all of Miller's notes are included, and so it reads like a novel, and is a very enjoyable experience, even if one never actually sees it in performance. In the hands of a bad acting company it would be deadly dull, but done well it is exciting. The film version, for which Arthur Miller also wrote the screenplay, is not bad either. Daniel Day Lewis is an excellent John Proctor, and it captures the spirit of the text very well.
The climactic moment of the play is preceded by a very tender and brutally touching scene between a husband and wife, both of whom have had their moments of not loving the other one well. My heart ached and soared while reading it.
If you don't know this seminal American work, you should. Read it, let it take you on a very emotional journey, and then self-reflect.
The greatest literature makes us do just that.
February 5, 2023
En Todos eran mis hijos me quejaba un poquito de cierto esquematismo en la construcci贸n de los personajes, de la falta de matices. Pues bien, aqu铆 todo ello es mucho m谩s llamativo, pero es que aqu铆, realmente, no hace falta m谩s, de hecho, es lo apropiado.
El t铆tulo original de la obra es 鈥淓l crisol鈥�, lo que nos indica desde el principio que el texto no es tanto una obra de personajes, una cr铆tica de actitudes y comportamientos, que tambi茅n, sino una forma de hacer entendible como un desprop贸sito del calibre de lo narrado puede, pudo, llegar a suceder y advertirnos de algo que a menudo olvidamos, que siempre puede volver a ocurrir. Es la dramatizaci贸n de una histeria colectiva en la que el protagonista es el miedo. El miedo como estructura de convivencia, el miedo como excusa de aceptaci贸n de lo inaceptable, el miedo como herramienta de sometimiento, el miedo como desencadenante de la tragedia. Nos encontrarnos en un escenario de frontera, territorial e ideol贸gico, de sospecha hacia todo y hacia todos. Un caldo de cultivo apropiado para la intolerancia, el puritanismo, el cierre de filas, la superstici贸n, la religiosidad m谩s primitiva y la tolerancia de un pueblo al poder m谩s autoritario.
"Tu celo es muy valioso, si est谩s en lo correcto; pero si est谩s equivocado, entre m谩s grande sea tu celo mayor ser谩 tu maldad." 笔濒补迟贸苍
March 7, 2023
abigail was just a silly girl in love 馃様 she almost got the entirety of Salem's population hung but who could blame her really ???
October 15, 2022
鈥淏ecause it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!鈥濃€擯roctor
One of the major plays in the canon of American theatre, which is probably why the 欧宝娱乐 average is so low for it: If you are forced to read it in school, or maybe it鈥檚 the way it is taught, or that you have to take tests about it? But having taught it myself in school and seen it a few times in great productions, I have always loved it. Maybe you should at least listen to an audio version to get a sense of the hysteria at its core, and to appreciate the many great speeches in it. The play is ostensibly Miller鈥檚 take on the Salem Witchcraft trials, taking place in the Puritan period and in a place Miller describes as governed by theocracy, a form of government that many religious right folks still want to put in place today.
鈥淕reat stones they lay upon his chest until he plead aye or nay. They say he give them but two words. 鈥楳ore weight,鈥� he says. And died鈥濃€攐f Giles Corey, who refused to confess what he had been accused of鈥攂eing a witch, or trafficking with witches; he also refused to name others to save his life.
The play was produced in 1953, during a time when another kind of 鈥渨itchhunt鈥� was taking place in America, the House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities, or HUAC, or the (Joseph) McCarthy Trials, which sought to discover if people were or ever had been members of the Communist Party, a process that ruined the lives of people, many of them in the arts鈥攚ho became blacklisted. Miller himself was questioned in 1956 and convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to identify others present at meetings he had attended.
In Salem and in DC, if you had a grudge, if you wanted revenge for something someone had done to you, if they were not loyal to you or a cause for which you advocated, you could call people names, you could call them witches, or Communists, and denial might be seen as evidence of guilt. If you turned people in as evil, you got patriotic/religious points from those in charge. Miller says, 鈥淧olitical opposition. . . is given an inhumane overlay, which then justifies the abrogation of all normally applied customs of civilized behavior. A political policy is equated with moral right, and opposition to it with diabolical malevolence.鈥�
鈥淚s the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers? I'll tell you what's walking Salem鈥攙engeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law!鈥濃€擯roctor
I love this play, as manic as it sometimes is, with all its screaming wild teenaged girls pretending they are being possessed by so many (boring, devout) adults, who they convinced the courts should hang. It鈥檚 just great drama, so I can鈥檛 imagine just having to read it and never see it. I like it in part for wild speeches like this:
鈥淎 fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as you quail now when you know in all your black hearts that this be fraud鈥擥od damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!鈥濃€擯roctor
Proctor is no saint鈥攈e has committed adultery with one of the girls making (jealous, vengeful) accusations against his wife, and then him, among many other people, so he doesn鈥檛 want to hang and give the impression he is as good as so many who have hanged for refusing to admit they were witches. But he makes the right, though tragic choice, and as his wife says,
鈥淗e have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!鈥濃€擡lizabeth
One of the major plays in the canon of American theatre, which is probably why the 欧宝娱乐 average is so low for it: If you are forced to read it in school, or maybe it鈥檚 the way it is taught, or that you have to take tests about it? But having taught it myself in school and seen it a few times in great productions, I have always loved it. Maybe you should at least listen to an audio version to get a sense of the hysteria at its core, and to appreciate the many great speeches in it. The play is ostensibly Miller鈥檚 take on the Salem Witchcraft trials, taking place in the Puritan period and in a place Miller describes as governed by theocracy, a form of government that many religious right folks still want to put in place today.
鈥淕reat stones they lay upon his chest until he plead aye or nay. They say he give them but two words. 鈥楳ore weight,鈥� he says. And died鈥濃€攐f Giles Corey, who refused to confess what he had been accused of鈥攂eing a witch, or trafficking with witches; he also refused to name others to save his life.
The play was produced in 1953, during a time when another kind of 鈥渨itchhunt鈥� was taking place in America, the House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities, or HUAC, or the (Joseph) McCarthy Trials, which sought to discover if people were or ever had been members of the Communist Party, a process that ruined the lives of people, many of them in the arts鈥攚ho became blacklisted. Miller himself was questioned in 1956 and convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to identify others present at meetings he had attended.
In Salem and in DC, if you had a grudge, if you wanted revenge for something someone had done to you, if they were not loyal to you or a cause for which you advocated, you could call people names, you could call them witches, or Communists, and denial might be seen as evidence of guilt. If you turned people in as evil, you got patriotic/religious points from those in charge. Miller says, 鈥淧olitical opposition. . . is given an inhumane overlay, which then justifies the abrogation of all normally applied customs of civilized behavior. A political policy is equated with moral right, and opposition to it with diabolical malevolence.鈥�
鈥淚s the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers? I'll tell you what's walking Salem鈥攙engeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law!鈥濃€擯roctor
I love this play, as manic as it sometimes is, with all its screaming wild teenaged girls pretending they are being possessed by so many (boring, devout) adults, who they convinced the courts should hang. It鈥檚 just great drama, so I can鈥檛 imagine just having to read it and never see it. I like it in part for wild speeches like this:
鈥淎 fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as you quail now when you know in all your black hearts that this be fraud鈥擥od damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!鈥濃€擯roctor
Proctor is no saint鈥攈e has committed adultery with one of the girls making (jealous, vengeful) accusations against his wife, and then him, among many other people, so he doesn鈥檛 want to hang and give the impression he is as good as so many who have hanged for refusing to admit they were witches. But he makes the right, though tragic choice, and as his wife says,
鈥淗e have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!鈥濃€擡lizabeth
September 13, 2023
this book was so entertaining like sorry but all of these characters are CRAZY, it鈥檚 quite funny what paranoia will do to you
May 16, 2020
Book Review
I may be a little unpopular with my 3 of 5 stars rating for , a play by , but in my world, a 3 means it's your generally good book/play/movie with some great things, some bad things, and an overall "yeah, you should probably read it."
The topic: Salem Witch Trials, one of my absolute favorite time periods in American history to research. Miller is brilliant, I acknowledge it. He bring suspense, timing and charisma in everything he does. But when this is about an episode from our history over 250 years before the play was written, I expected something a bit different / stronger. Too many scenes were too dry for me.
So many schools put this play on as a high school production. Even in colleges sometimes. I was tempted to look for it on Broadway... I mean, I do live in NYC. Why wouldn't I go try it out? Really... I blame myself here.
Characters are great. You do feel strong emotions towards them. I think what I wanted more of... was the mysterious air surrounding those deemed a witch. There are some scenes where it's almost there for me, but ultimately... I wanted more. I should probably give it another chance... it's been almost 25 years.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on 欧宝娱乐, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at , where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
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I may be a little unpopular with my 3 of 5 stars rating for , a play by , but in my world, a 3 means it's your generally good book/play/movie with some great things, some bad things, and an overall "yeah, you should probably read it."
The topic: Salem Witch Trials, one of my absolute favorite time periods in American history to research. Miller is brilliant, I acknowledge it. He bring suspense, timing and charisma in everything he does. But when this is about an episode from our history over 250 years before the play was written, I expected something a bit different / stronger. Too many scenes were too dry for me.
So many schools put this play on as a high school production. Even in colleges sometimes. I was tempted to look for it on Broadway... I mean, I do live in NYC. Why wouldn't I go try it out? Really... I blame myself here.
Characters are great. You do feel strong emotions towards them. I think what I wanted more of... was the mysterious air surrounding those deemed a witch. There are some scenes where it's almost there for me, but ultimately... I wanted more. I should probably give it another chance... it's been almost 25 years.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on 欧宝娱乐, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at , where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
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June 23, 2016
Recently, a group of students allegedly shouted anti-India slogans at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, and the political and religious conservatives in India went virtually mad. Soon, any criticism of India was seen as unpatriotic and traitorous. The JNU, a leftist stronghold and a thorn in the flesh of the Hindu Right-Wing government at the centre, was termed a positive hotbed of crime and vice and a recruiting ground for terrorists. Many a Muslim, unless he wore his love of India on his sleeve for all to see, was branded a Pakistani agent - the refusal to say "Bharat Mata ki Jai" (Victory to Mother India) resulted in intimidation and even physical abuse in many places.
What is interesting about this phenomena is that it is not only an orchestrated move from the right-wingers: many Indians are genuinely frightened that Pakistanis are in our midst, bent on destroying the country with the support of the leftists. There is a paranoia that is being exploited by the political vultures.
I am frightened by how much this resembles - the madness that gripped America from 1950 to 56 and destroyed many lives and careers. Wikipedia says
It seems that human beings don't learn anything from history, and therefore keep on repeating it.
But then, according to Arthur Miller, the Red Scare of the fifties was a repeat of a much darker event from the seventeenth century - the Salem Witch Trails. He wrote this play in 1953 to remind fellow citizens on how mass hysteria can engulf a society and demolish civilisation.
in 1692, a group of children in Salem were afflicted by diseases which showed classical symptoms of hysteria, but were soon diagnosed as demonic possession by the church authorities based partly on the children's own confused utterings. Soon, people were being denounced left and right as witches and executed. Malicious people with revenge and other material interests (such as grabbing a condemned person's property) seems to have contributed enthusiastically to the madness. As John Proctor, an accused, says in the play:
These words are chillingly applicable to both McCarthyism and the events I quoted at the beginning: common vengeance is writing the law. Anybody can be accused - proof is not required, accusation is proof enough. Any kind of fair dealing and neutrality would be seen as potential collaboration, so the safest thing is to side with the accusers. Verily, the term "witch hunt" has entered the English language with strong credentials.
We will. We, the conformists who let the madness continue to save our own islands of comfort in this burning sea of paranoid anger.
----------------------------------
From the Oxford English Dictionary:
It is evident that Arthur Miller put a lot of thought into the naming of his play. He wanted to emphasise the heat and the fire, the hatred and the horror: at the same time, he also wanted to point out that after the melting process, a refined product would come out. Times of extreme tribulations in society are usually followed by a period of rejuvenation.
The playwright takes a lot of liberty with history to make his point. This is nothing new: Shakespeare regularly did this, it seems. So in the play, the historical 11-year-old Abigail Williams, the niece of the puritan minister Reverend Parris of Salem is transformed into an oversexed teen. She has seduced John Proctor in whose house she was working as a servant, and has apparently tried out some black magic to kill his wife. During such a magic session in the woods with Tituba and other kids, the Parris's Caribbean servant, they are surprised by the minister. Betty, the minister's young daughter, falls into a dead faint and cannot be cured by the doctor. Abigail immediately shouts witchcraft, and others join in; and soon the subterfuge becomes mass hysteria.
Miller has chosen John Proctor to be tragic hero of this play; haunted by guilt at his infidelity (even more so because his wife forgives it), he seeks punishment for himself, at least inside his soul. His torment is further compounded as his wife Elizabeth is denounced as a witch by Abigail. To make matters worse, there is the cunning Thomas Putnam, abetting the hysteria to settle scores against old opponents and grab their lands. As the roller-coaster of paranoia rolls on towards its destructive end, Proctor himself is sentenced to hang for witchcraft but Elizabeth ironically escapes as she is pregnant.
At the insistence of friends and a few sane people who want to stop the madness, John Proctor confesses at the last moment: however, he immediately sees the falsehood and cowardice in it and immediately withdraws it.
Yes indeed: the courage to stand up for what one thinks is right is ultimately the refined product that comes out of the crucible.
----------------------------------
The character who impressed me most in the story was Giles Corey, an 81-year-old man who refused to confess or refute when faced with charges of witchcraft. He was subjected to a horrendous form of torture called "pressing" (thankfully it occurs offstage in the play) where more and more rocks were piled on his chest in an effort to make him speak. Giles endured this for a whole two days before he died - his last words, reportedly, were "more weight". There's guts for you!
What is interesting about this phenomena is that it is not only an orchestrated move from the right-wingers: many Indians are genuinely frightened that Pakistanis are in our midst, bent on destroying the country with the support of the leftists. There is a paranoia that is being exploited by the political vultures.
I am frightened by how much this resembles - the madness that gripped America from 1950 to 56 and destroyed many lives and careers. Wikipedia says
During the McCarthy era, thousands of Americans were accused of being communists or communist sympathizers and became the subject of aggressive investigations and questioning before government or private-industry panels, committees and agencies. The primary targets of such suspicions were government employees, those in the entertainment industry, educators and union activists. Suspicions were often given credence despite inconclusive or questionable evidence, and the level of threat posed by a person's real or supposed leftist associations or beliefs was often greatly exaggerated. Many people suffered loss of employment and/or destruction of their careers; some even suffered imprisonment. Most of these punishments came about through trial verdicts later overturned, laws that were later declared unconstitutional, dismissals for reasons later declared illegal or actionable, or extra-legal procedures that would come into general disrepute.
It seems that human beings don't learn anything from history, and therefore keep on repeating it.
But then, according to Arthur Miller, the Red Scare of the fifties was a repeat of a much darker event from the seventeenth century - the Salem Witch Trails. He wrote this play in 1953 to remind fellow citizens on how mass hysteria can engulf a society and demolish civilisation.
in 1692, a group of children in Salem were afflicted by diseases which showed classical symptoms of hysteria, but were soon diagnosed as demonic possession by the church authorities based partly on the children's own confused utterings. Soon, people were being denounced left and right as witches and executed. Malicious people with revenge and other material interests (such as grabbing a condemned person's property) seems to have contributed enthusiastically to the madness. As John Proctor, an accused, says in the play:
Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers? I'll tell you what's walking Salem - vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law!
These words are chillingly applicable to both McCarthyism and the events I quoted at the beginning: common vengeance is writing the law. Anybody can be accused - proof is not required, accusation is proof enough. Any kind of fair dealing and neutrality would be seen as potential collaboration, so the safest thing is to side with the accusers. Verily, the term "witch hunt" has entered the English language with strong credentials.
A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as you quail now when you know in all your black hearts that this be fraud - God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!
We will. We, the conformists who let the madness continue to save our own islands of comfort in this burning sea of paranoid anger.
----------------------------------
From the Oxford English Dictionary:
1 A ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures
1.1 A situation of severe trial, or in which different elements interact, leading to the creation of something new
It is evident that Arthur Miller put a lot of thought into the naming of his play. He wanted to emphasise the heat and the fire, the hatred and the horror: at the same time, he also wanted to point out that after the melting process, a refined product would come out. Times of extreme tribulations in society are usually followed by a period of rejuvenation.
The playwright takes a lot of liberty with history to make his point. This is nothing new: Shakespeare regularly did this, it seems. So in the play, the historical 11-year-old Abigail Williams, the niece of the puritan minister Reverend Parris of Salem is transformed into an oversexed teen. She has seduced John Proctor in whose house she was working as a servant, and has apparently tried out some black magic to kill his wife. During such a magic session in the woods with Tituba and other kids, the Parris's Caribbean servant, they are surprised by the minister. Betty, the minister's young daughter, falls into a dead faint and cannot be cured by the doctor. Abigail immediately shouts witchcraft, and others join in; and soon the subterfuge becomes mass hysteria.
Miller has chosen John Proctor to be tragic hero of this play; haunted by guilt at his infidelity (even more so because his wife forgives it), he seeks punishment for himself, at least inside his soul. His torment is further compounded as his wife Elizabeth is denounced as a witch by Abigail. To make matters worse, there is the cunning Thomas Putnam, abetting the hysteria to settle scores against old opponents and grab their lands. As the roller-coaster of paranoia rolls on towards its destructive end, Proctor himself is sentenced to hang for witchcraft but Elizabeth ironically escapes as she is pregnant.
At the insistence of friends and a few sane people who want to stop the madness, John Proctor confesses at the last moment: however, he immediately sees the falsehood and cowardice in it and immediately withdraws it.
HALE: Man, you will hang! You cannot!
PROCTOR[his eyes full of tears]: I can. And there's your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs.
Yes indeed: the courage to stand up for what one thinks is right is ultimately the refined product that comes out of the crucible.
----------------------------------
The character who impressed me most in the story was Giles Corey, an 81-year-old man who refused to confess or refute when faced with charges of witchcraft. He was subjected to a horrendous form of torture called "pressing" (thankfully it occurs offstage in the play) where more and more rocks were piled on his chest in an effort to make him speak. Giles endured this for a whole two days before he died - his last words, reportedly, were "more weight". There's guts for you!
October 26, 2023
鬲氐賵乇 讴賳蹖丿 讴賴 蹖讴 夭賳 禺丕賳賴 丿丕乇 讴卮丕賵乇夭 賲毓賲賵賱蹖 亘丕 丕毓鬲賯丕丿丕鬲 賲匕賴亘蹖 賲鬲賵爻胤 賴爻鬲蹖丿 讴賴 丿丕乇蹖丿 讴丕乇 賵 夭賳丿诏蹖 賴賲蹖卮诏蹖 鬲賵賳 乇賵 丕賳噩丕賲 賲蹖丿蹖丿貙 賴乇卮亘 丿毓丕 鬲賵賳 乇賵 賲蹖禺賵賳蹖丿貙 亘趩賴 賴丕鬲賵賳 乇賵 亘夭乇诏 賲蹖讴賳蹖丿貙 诏丕賵賴丕鬲賵賳 乇賵 賲蹖 丿賵卮蹖丿貙 賳丕賳 賵 爻賵倬 禺乇诏賵卮 亘乇丕蹖 卮丕賲 賲蹖倬夭蹖丿貙 丕賲丕 蹖讴賴賵賵 蹖讴卮亘 趩賳丿 賲乇丿 賲蹖乇蹖夭賳 鬲賵蹖 禺賵賳賴 鬲賵賳貙 亘賴 丿爻鬲 賵 倬丕鬲賵賳 夭賳噩蹖乇 賲蹖夭賳賳貙 賲蹖賳丿丕夭賳 鬲賵賳 倬卮鬲 诏丕乇蹖 賵 賲蹖亘乇賳 夭賳丿丕賳 鬲丕 亘賴 噩乇賲 噩丕丿賵诏乇蹖 賲丨丕讴賲賴 鬲賵賳 讴賳賳. 趩乇丕責 趩賵賳 蹖讴 丿禺鬲乇 賴賮丿賴 爻丕賱賴 丨爻賵丿 賵 丕賳鬲賯丕賲 噩賵貙 亘丕 賴賲丿爻鬲蹖 趩賳丿鬲丕 丿禺鬲乇 鬲賯乇蹖亘丕 賴賲爻賳 賵 爻丕賱 禺賵丿卮貙 卮賲丕 賵 趩賳丿蹖賳 夭賳 賵 賲乇丿 乇賵 亘賴 噩丕丿賵诏乇蹖 賲鬲賴賲 讴乇丿賳 賵 讴賱蹖爻丕 賵 賯丕囟蹖 禺乇丕賮丕鬲蹖 賴賲 丨乇賮賴丕蹖 丕賵賳賴丕 乇賵 亘丕賵乇 賲蹖讴賳賳. 丕蹖賳 賲丕噩乇丕 丿乇 賳賴丕蹖鬲 亘賴 丕毓丿丕賲 賵 賯鬲賱 賴噩丿賴 賳賮乇 夭賳 賵 丿賵 賲乇丿 賵 夭賳丿丕賳蹖 卮丿賳 亘蹖卮鬲乇 丕夭 丿賵蹖爻鬲 賳賮乇 賲賳噩乇 賲蹖卮賴 賵 蹖讴蹖 丕夭 賵丨卮鬲賳丕讴 鬲乇蹖賳 賵 禺賵賳亘丕乇鬲乇蹖賳 噩丕丿賵诏乇 讴卮蹖 賴丕蹖 鬲丕乇蹖禺 乇賵 乇賯賲 賲蹖鈥屫操嗁�.
丕蹖賳 禺賱丕氐賴 馗丕賴乇蹖 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 芦爻丕丨乇賴 爻賵夭丕賳禄 丕夭 丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇 賴爻鬲卮 讴賴 丕夭 蹖讴 丕鬲賮丕賯 鬲丕乇蹖禺蹖 毓噩蹖亘 亘丕 賴賲蹖賳 賲囟賲賵賳 丕賱賴丕賲 诏乇賮鬲賴. 噩乇蹖丕賳 賲丨丕讴賲丕鬲蹖 讴賴 丿乇 爻丕賱 郾鄱酃鄄 卮賴乇 爻丕賱賲 丿乇 賲丕爻丕趩賵爻鬲 丌賲乇蹖讴丕 乇賵 亘賴 蹖讴蹖 丕夭 賲乇丕讴夭 亘夭乇诏 賵 賲卮賴賵乇 賯鬲賱 賵 鬲賵胤卅賴 丿乇 鬲丕乇蹖禺 鬲亘丿蹖賱 讴乇丿 亘賴 胤賵乇蹖 讴賴 丕賱丕賳 亘丕夭賲丕賳丿賴 丕蹖賳 卮賴乇 賵 賲賯亘乇賴 賯乇亘丕賳蹖丕賳 丕賵賳 鬲亘丿蹖賱 亘賴 賲賵夭賴 賵 賲乇讴夭 鬲賵乇蹖爻鬲蹖 卮丿賴.
丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇 亘丕 賳賵卮鬲賳 丕蹖賳 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 亘賴 胤賵乇 賳賲丕丿蹖賳 亘賴 噩賳亘卮 賲讴讴丕乇鬲蹖爻賲 丕賳鬲賯丕丿 讴乇丿貙 噩乇蹖丕賳蹖 丕夭 鬲賵胤卅賴 賵 賮卮丕乇 丿乇 丿賴賴 郾酃鄣郯 賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 讴賴 亘爻蹖丕乇蹖 丕夭 丌賲乇蹖讴丕蹖蹖 賴丕 賵 亘禺氐賵氐 賴賳乇賲賳丿丕賳 乇丕 亘禺丕胤乇 丕乇鬲亘丕胤 亘丕 丨夭亘 讴賲賵賳蹖爻鬲 賲賵乇丿 賲丨丕讴賲賴 賯乇丕乇 丿丕丿 賵 亘丕 鬲丨鬲 賮卮丕乇 賯乇丕乇 丿丕丿賳 丕賵賳賴丕貙 丕賮乇丕丿 乇賵 賲噩亘賵乇 讴乇丿 亘乇毓賱蹖賴 丿賵爻鬲丕賳 賵 賴賲讴丕乇丕賳 禺賵丿卮賵賳 卮賴丕丿鬲 亘丿賳.
丕賲丕 賮丕乇睾 丕夭 丕蹖賳 噩賳亘賴 賳賲丕丿蹖賳 爻蹖丕爻蹖貙 賲蹖賱乇 亘丕 丕爻鬲賮丕丿賴 丕夭听 賲賮丕賴蹖賲蹖 賲孬賱 鬲毓氐亘 賲匕賴亘蹖貙 噩賳賵賳 賯丿乇鬲貙 爻賵丕爻鬲賮丕丿賴 丕夭 賯丿乇鬲蹖 讴賴 賲匕賴亘 亘賴 丕賮乇丕丿 賲蹖丿賴貙 賴蹖爻鬲乇蹖 噩賲毓蹖貙 鬲馗丕賴乇 賵 乇蹖丕讴丕乇蹖 賵賵賵 丕蹖賳 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 乇賵 亘乇丕蹖 鬲賲丕賲 丕毓氐丕乇 賵 鬲賲丕賲 賲乇丿賲 噩賴丕賳 賳賵卮鬲賴.
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亘賴 卮丿鬲 倬蹖卮賳賴丕丿 賲蹖讴賳賲
......
賴賲禺賵丕賳蹖 亘丕 爻毓蹖丿
......
乇蹖賵蹖賵賵 氐賵鬲蹖 賵 賮丕蹖賱 讴鬲丕亘 賲賵噩賵丿 丕爻鬲
@reviewwithDream
丕蹖賳 禺賱丕氐賴 馗丕賴乇蹖 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 芦爻丕丨乇賴 爻賵夭丕賳禄 丕夭 丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇 賴爻鬲卮 讴賴 丕夭 蹖讴 丕鬲賮丕賯 鬲丕乇蹖禺蹖 毓噩蹖亘 亘丕 賴賲蹖賳 賲囟賲賵賳 丕賱賴丕賲 诏乇賮鬲賴. 噩乇蹖丕賳 賲丨丕讴賲丕鬲蹖 讴賴 丿乇 爻丕賱 郾鄱酃鄄 卮賴乇 爻丕賱賲 丿乇 賲丕爻丕趩賵爻鬲 丌賲乇蹖讴丕 乇賵 亘賴 蹖讴蹖 丕夭 賲乇丕讴夭 亘夭乇诏 賵 賲卮賴賵乇 賯鬲賱 賵 鬲賵胤卅賴 丿乇 鬲丕乇蹖禺 鬲亘丿蹖賱 讴乇丿 亘賴 胤賵乇蹖 讴賴 丕賱丕賳 亘丕夭賲丕賳丿賴 丕蹖賳 卮賴乇 賵 賲賯亘乇賴 賯乇亘丕賳蹖丕賳 丕賵賳 鬲亘丿蹖賱 亘賴 賲賵夭賴 賵 賲乇讴夭 鬲賵乇蹖爻鬲蹖 卮丿賴.
丌乇鬲賵乇 賲蹖賱乇 亘丕 賳賵卮鬲賳 丕蹖賳 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 亘賴 胤賵乇 賳賲丕丿蹖賳 亘賴 噩賳亘卮 賲讴讴丕乇鬲蹖爻賲 丕賳鬲賯丕丿 讴乇丿貙 噩乇蹖丕賳蹖 丕夭 鬲賵胤卅賴 賵 賮卮丕乇 丿乇 丿賴賴 郾酃鄣郯 賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 讴賴 亘爻蹖丕乇蹖 丕夭 丌賲乇蹖讴丕蹖蹖 賴丕 賵 亘禺氐賵氐 賴賳乇賲賳丿丕賳 乇丕 亘禺丕胤乇 丕乇鬲亘丕胤 亘丕 丨夭亘 讴賲賵賳蹖爻鬲 賲賵乇丿 賲丨丕讴賲賴 賯乇丕乇 丿丕丿 賵 亘丕 鬲丨鬲 賮卮丕乇 賯乇丕乇 丿丕丿賳 丕賵賳賴丕貙 丕賮乇丕丿 乇賵 賲噩亘賵乇 讴乇丿 亘乇毓賱蹖賴 丿賵爻鬲丕賳 賵 賴賲讴丕乇丕賳 禺賵丿卮賵賳 卮賴丕丿鬲 亘丿賳.
丕賲丕 賮丕乇睾 丕夭 丕蹖賳 噩賳亘賴 賳賲丕丿蹖賳 爻蹖丕爻蹖貙 賲蹖賱乇 亘丕 丕爻鬲賮丕丿賴 丕夭听 賲賮丕賴蹖賲蹖 賲孬賱 鬲毓氐亘 賲匕賴亘蹖貙 噩賳賵賳 賯丿乇鬲貙 爻賵丕爻鬲賮丕丿賴 丕夭 賯丿乇鬲蹖 讴賴 賲匕賴亘 亘賴 丕賮乇丕丿 賲蹖丿賴貙 賴蹖爻鬲乇蹖 噩賲毓蹖貙 鬲馗丕賴乇 賵 乇蹖丕讴丕乇蹖 賵賵賵 丕蹖賳 賳賲丕蹖卮賳丕賲賴 乇賵 亘乇丕蹖 鬲賲丕賲 丕毓氐丕乇 賵 鬲賲丕賲 賲乇丿賲 噩賴丕賳 賳賵卮鬲賴.
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亘賴 卮丿鬲 倬蹖卮賳賴丕丿 賲蹖讴賳賲
......
賴賲禺賵丕賳蹖 亘丕 爻毓蹖丿
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乇蹖賵蹖賵賵 氐賵鬲蹖 賵 賮丕蹖賱 讴鬲丕亘 賲賵噩賵丿 丕爻鬲
@reviewwithDream
February 25, 2016
A fascinating exploration of the consequences of unquestioned power, though an awful portrayal of women. I appreciated Arthur Miller bringing attention to the Salem Witch Trials and anti-communist hysteria. I hated how he treated Abigail and the other female characters in this story as crazy and antagonizing. Yes, Abigail's actions posed major problems - but Miller portrays John Proctor, the man who has illicit sex with her, as a martyr. Miller grants the men in this play complexity and autonomy; he relegates women to the role of one-dimensional witches. You could blame my feminist side, but you could also blame Miller for failing to seize an opportunity to question the patriarchal standards so salient in Salem.
A good, emotional read, with solid writing and a compelling plot. It may make you angry, and if it does, I encourage you to think about who to direct your anger at in this play - the oppressed women, or the men who take advantage of them.
A good, emotional read, with solid writing and a compelling plot. It may make you angry, and if it does, I encourage you to think about who to direct your anger at in this play - the oppressed women, or the men who take advantage of them.
May 2, 2021
I enjoyed rereading this one. Again, for me this was a book I overlooked in high school because I was too busy being immature. This book is more than a story of accusations, spectral evidence, and the fallout of witchcraft. It shows the social component associated with fear and anxiety on a large scale. Historically speaking, the book is prime example of the social angst and hysteria that swept early Colonial Massachusetts because of witchcraft.
The book is filled with dramatic dialogue, intense trial and court, fear and retribution, religious fervor, and many characters both pious and sinful. The narrator gives historical context surrounding the plot which I thought was helpful. Something interesting I found was in Act III, in the court room, Proctor quotes from the Book of Tobit, from the Apocrypha, the verse 12:7 "Do that which is good, and no harm shall come to thee."
I read this was an allegory to the 1950s McCarthy-era communist witch hunts. I see the relation and the panic and fear that was the result of accusations and gossip. Overall I enjoyed this quick read and would recommend it to anyone. Thanks!
May 12, 2024
I think this is my second or third read through this play 馃し馃徏鈥嶁檧锔� Salem witch trials was such a trippy time in U.S. history. 馃鈥嶁檧锔�
December 12, 2018
鈥淭he Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone...鈥�
Based on historical people and real events, The Crucible is a searing portrait of a community engulfed by hysteria.
The Crucible provides such an interesting insight into the mass hysteria and paranoia brewing in Salem, Massachusetts in the seventeenth century. Although, perhaps watching a production of this play would be more enthralling than reading it. I was tad bored at times and it took me far longer than it should to get through 150 pages of it!
My major irritation was that a number of the characters had similar names - Proctor, Parris and Putnam, oh my!! And given that these characters would often be interacting with each other, I was constantly doing a double check in my head 鈥渙h yep, that鈥檚 the reverend... and that鈥檚 the rich guy who had a thing with Abigail鈥�... obviously I can鈥檛 gripe about this too much as these are REAL character names based on REAL events, but I am complaining because it鈥檚 my review and I can! *enter sass emoji*
Speaking of Proctor, I鈥檝e got some issues. I gather that he is being portrayed as the 鈥渇lawed protagonist鈥� and that we should view him as some kind of martyr? Yet by the end I still didn鈥檛 feel that sympathetic towards him. Some of his actions/reactions just didn鈥檛 sit well with me, so the ending etc just wasn鈥檛 as impactful.
However, Miller perfectly depicts the hysteria, paranoia and fear that brews in Salem in the wake of accusations of witchcraft. It鈥檚 pretty mind-blowing that an accusation was as good as evidence, and the only way you could 鈥減rove鈥� yourself innocent and escape death was if you confessed?! Insanity! I still find it hard to accept that these witch trials actually happened.
I鈥檓 glad I finally read this one, but maybe should have read it before I went to Salem, I might have appreciated the history even more! The Crucible is definitely worth picking up if you have any interest in the witch trials. Giving this one 3.5 stars!
Based on historical people and real events, The Crucible is a searing portrait of a community engulfed by hysteria.
The Crucible provides such an interesting insight into the mass hysteria and paranoia brewing in Salem, Massachusetts in the seventeenth century. Although, perhaps watching a production of this play would be more enthralling than reading it. I was tad bored at times and it took me far longer than it should to get through 150 pages of it!
My major irritation was that a number of the characters had similar names - Proctor, Parris and Putnam, oh my!! And given that these characters would often be interacting with each other, I was constantly doing a double check in my head 鈥渙h yep, that鈥檚 the reverend... and that鈥檚 the rich guy who had a thing with Abigail鈥�... obviously I can鈥檛 gripe about this too much as these are REAL character names based on REAL events, but I am complaining because it鈥檚 my review and I can! *enter sass emoji*
Speaking of Proctor, I鈥檝e got some issues. I gather that he is being portrayed as the 鈥渇lawed protagonist鈥� and that we should view him as some kind of martyr? Yet by the end I still didn鈥檛 feel that sympathetic towards him. Some of his actions/reactions just didn鈥檛 sit well with me, so the ending etc just wasn鈥檛 as impactful.
However, Miller perfectly depicts the hysteria, paranoia and fear that brews in Salem in the wake of accusations of witchcraft. It鈥檚 pretty mind-blowing that an accusation was as good as evidence, and the only way you could 鈥減rove鈥� yourself innocent and escape death was if you confessed?! Insanity! I still find it hard to accept that these witch trials actually happened.
I鈥檓 glad I finally read this one, but maybe should have read it before I went to Salem, I might have appreciated the history even more! The Crucible is definitely worth picking up if you have any interest in the witch trials. Giving this one 3.5 stars!
October 26, 2017
Estoy sin palabras... Realmente estremece ver hasta d贸nde es capaz de llegar la gente por estupidez, envidia y lujuria. Pero lo que m谩s me ha gustado ha sido la fuerza moral de Proctor; impresionante.
April 9, 2022
賲爻乇丨賷丞 賲鬲賲賷夭丞 兀丿亘賷丕 賵賮賰乇賷丕 氐丿乇鬲 毓丕賲 1953 賱賱賰丕鬲亘 丕賱兀賲乇賷賰賷 丌乇孬乇 賲賷賱乇
鬲丿賵乇 兀丨丿丕孬賴丕 毓賳 丨丿孬 鬲丕乇賷禺賷 賲卮賴賵乇 賵賲丐爻賮.. 賴賵 賲丨丕賰賲丞 丕賱爻丕丨乇丕鬲 賮賷 亘賱丿丞 爻丕賱賲 毓丕賲 1692
賷乇賲夭 賲賷賱乇 賲賳 禺賱丕賱賴丕 賱賱賵丕賯毓 丕賱兀賲乇賷賰賷 賮鬲乇丞 丕賱賲賰丕乇孬賷丞 丕賱賰丕乇孬賷丞 賮賷 亘丿丕賷丞 禺賲爻賷賳賷丕鬲 丕賱賯乇賳 丕賱賲丕囟賷
賷毓乇囟 氐賵乇 賱卮禺氐賷丕鬲 鬲丿賾毓賷 丕賱兀賮囟賱賷丞 賵賷丨賰賲賴丕 丕賱噩賴賱 賵丕賱卮賰, 丕賱賰乇丕賴賷丞 賵丕賱賲氐丕賱丨
賮賷 賲噩鬲賲毓 賷噩鬲丕丨賴 丕賱賴賷丕噩 賵丕賱賱丕毓賯賱丕賳賷丞 賷丨丕乇亘 卮乇賵乇 賱丕 賵噩賵丿 賱賴丕 亘丨噩丞 丕賱丿賮丕毓 毓賳 丕賱丿賷賳 賵丕賱兀毓乇丕賮
賵賷鬲賳丕賵賱 賲賮乇丿丕鬲 丕賱爻賱胤丞, 丕賱毓賳賮, 丕賱禺乇丕賮丞..賵丕賱囟賲賷乇 賵丕賱賳賮爻 丕賱亘卮乇賷丞 賮賷 賲賵丕噩賴丞 丕賱賲丌爻賷 賵丕賱囟睾賵胤
鬲丿賵乇 兀丨丿丕孬賴丕 毓賳 丨丿孬 鬲丕乇賷禺賷 賲卮賴賵乇 賵賲丐爻賮.. 賴賵 賲丨丕賰賲丞 丕賱爻丕丨乇丕鬲 賮賷 亘賱丿丞 爻丕賱賲 毓丕賲 1692
賷乇賲夭 賲賷賱乇 賲賳 禺賱丕賱賴丕 賱賱賵丕賯毓 丕賱兀賲乇賷賰賷 賮鬲乇丞 丕賱賲賰丕乇孬賷丞 丕賱賰丕乇孬賷丞 賮賷 亘丿丕賷丞 禺賲爻賷賳賷丕鬲 丕賱賯乇賳 丕賱賲丕囟賷
賷毓乇囟 氐賵乇 賱卮禺氐賷丕鬲 鬲丿賾毓賷 丕賱兀賮囟賱賷丞 賵賷丨賰賲賴丕 丕賱噩賴賱 賵丕賱卮賰, 丕賱賰乇丕賴賷丞 賵丕賱賲氐丕賱丨
賮賷 賲噩鬲賲毓 賷噩鬲丕丨賴 丕賱賴賷丕噩 賵丕賱賱丕毓賯賱丕賳賷丞 賷丨丕乇亘 卮乇賵乇 賱丕 賵噩賵丿 賱賴丕 亘丨噩丞 丕賱丿賮丕毓 毓賳 丕賱丿賷賳 賵丕賱兀毓乇丕賮
賵賷鬲賳丕賵賱 賲賮乇丿丕鬲 丕賱爻賱胤丞, 丕賱毓賳賮, 丕賱禺乇丕賮丞..賵丕賱囟賲賷乇 賵丕賱賳賮爻 丕賱亘卮乇賷丞 賮賷 賲賵丕噩賴丞 丕賱賲丌爻賷 賵丕賱囟睾賵胤
May 15, 2016
" - the Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!"
Though Miller claims to have had an abiding interest in the Salem Witch Trials, we all know this play was written as a gigantic Screw You! to Senator Joseph McCarthy and his investigations into alleged Un-American activities. The amazing thing is how well the play works on its own. Even if you know nothing of McCarthyism, you will still be moved by the plight of a small Massachusetts village wracked by lies, spitefulness and cruelty.
"I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!"
In one of the most chilling scenes, young girls begin rattling off the names of seemingly every woman in the village. That the townsfolk would take the word of a few of teenagers seems hard to believe, but darker forces were at work here. Men more concerned with their reputations and the chance to fill their coffers than they were fearful of actual witchcraft were in charge, and they grabbed the opportunity to settle old grudges and steal a neighbor's land. The girls, many stinging from slights both real and imagined, reveled in their newly found power to wreak vengeance against their former mistresses and employers.
This is truly a depiction of humanity at its worst.
When John Hale, a visiting reverend who has been charged with investigating Salem's little witch problem, declares: "No man may longer doubt the powers of the dark are gathered in monstrous attack upon this village." - he has no idea how right he is, though this darkness has nothing to do with the supernatural. It seems we are always willing to believe the worst in others; that they might be witches, or Communists or terrorists.
It seems that no matter what the evidence, we continue to believe what we want to believe.
If nothing else, this play serves as a cautionary tale.
Will we listen and learn?
Though Miller claims to have had an abiding interest in the Salem Witch Trials, we all know this play was written as a gigantic Screw You! to Senator Joseph McCarthy and his investigations into alleged Un-American activities. The amazing thing is how well the play works on its own. Even if you know nothing of McCarthyism, you will still be moved by the plight of a small Massachusetts village wracked by lies, spitefulness and cruelty.
"I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!"
In one of the most chilling scenes, young girls begin rattling off the names of seemingly every woman in the village. That the townsfolk would take the word of a few of teenagers seems hard to believe, but darker forces were at work here. Men more concerned with their reputations and the chance to fill their coffers than they were fearful of actual witchcraft were in charge, and they grabbed the opportunity to settle old grudges and steal a neighbor's land. The girls, many stinging from slights both real and imagined, reveled in their newly found power to wreak vengeance against their former mistresses and employers.
This is truly a depiction of humanity at its worst.
When John Hale, a visiting reverend who has been charged with investigating Salem's little witch problem, declares: "No man may longer doubt the powers of the dark are gathered in monstrous attack upon this village." - he has no idea how right he is, though this darkness has nothing to do with the supernatural. It seems we are always willing to believe the worst in others; that they might be witches, or Communists or terrorists.
It seems that no matter what the evidence, we continue to believe what we want to believe.
If nothing else, this play serves as a cautionary tale.
Will we listen and learn?
June 24, 2013
"I鈥檒l tell you what鈥檚 walking Salem鈥�-vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law!"
Such is the power of those noticeable quotes in Arthur Miller's play The Crucible; the power to cause the audience to question the issues arising when vengeance is allowed to write common law. Arthur Miller's play was created to be challenging for this very purpose.
This was written at a time when the House of Un-American Activities (HUAC) was in full swing. When authors, film makers and musicians could be blacklisted and named as communists if they displayed any 'anti-American' sentiments. As such due to its historical links this is a play that is important historically as well as powerful dramatically. And yet this tale is more than a simply moving historical drama it is a challenge to the actions of the modern man. This is a work of fiction which recalls the idea that those who forget the actions of the past are doomed to repeat them.
In the town of Salem one young girl named Abigail is found dancing in the woods with several other young girls and her Jamaican slave. One of the girls, the daughter of the local pastor falls into an apparent faint and does not stir for hours. As a result the girls are suspected of having committed witchcraft and another reverend - an expert on defeating supernatural evil - is summoned to observe the scenario. What follows is the scenes of a town thrown into disarray as neighbour turns on neighbour, accusing them of witchcraft to gain what his neighbour owns.
Thus Arthur Miller parallels the historical insanity in the Salem witch trials with the political aims of what I have heard called the 'McCarthyist regime'. His point is that ultimately humans will use legislation and violence to their own ends, that if a human being simply dislikes another they would use communism as an apparent guise to have their enemy blacklisted by society and condemned. It has gone on throughout history. Even Jesus at his trial had biased witnesses come forth to proclaim him guilty.
The question that must be raised by this play is how do we as modern humans treat others. Do we sit by content to watch others cast false condemnation or do we become the John Proctor of our society? Because I believe that there are many modern issues that we as people are content to watch with apathy and do nothing. For evil exists when good men and women do nothing.
That is why I love this play and rate it as one of my favourite plays. Because of the reaching power of its narrative and its prose. Many do not like the challenge issued by the text. They find it too confronting. But I think we need to be confronted every so often. As Ray Bradbury writes in Fahrenheit 451: "we need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?"
May 13, 2025
This is either a soulless tragedy with characters who are caricatures of actual people or an odd comedy that presents characters so ridiculous one can't help but laugh (though it does get a bit tedious by the nth time the girls start yelling about some spirit making them freeze). "I only said my wife reads books, not that she's a wich!" Yes, Giles, keep digging her grave. Good job.
So, that was one of the two problems I had with this play - the flat characters and the presentation of the trial (I admit the audiobook narrator might have played a part in that). The other problem I had with it was the unnecessary, and I'd go as far as to say harmful, distortion of historical facts. The real Abigail Williams was eleven years old during the time of the trials. Why Miller felt the need to age up an eleven year old girl and insert a fictional affair as the reason for the start of the Salem witch trials is beyond me.
I'm not usually a stickler for historical accuracy, but this was gross. He could have chosen to portray the lengths people will go to in feuds, even going as far as using children to convict others of serious crimes. But no. What he decided to focus on was the affair between a seventeen year old fictional namesake of an eleven year old girl and a grown man we're supposed to sympathize with by the end of the play. A man who blames his wife for giving him the side eye after he cheated on her and, in the same breath, blames the teen girl he had an affair with for believing he felt something for her. Needless to say, I didn't have much sympathy to spare for him.
This was written as an allegory for McCarthyism, and it does show the dangers of mass hysteria and a lack of due process; but there's something profoundly sad about a story that's supposed to show the absurdity and injustice of the witch trials dehumanizing and vilifying the women and children involved in it.
So, that was one of the two problems I had with this play - the flat characters and the presentation of the trial (I admit the audiobook narrator might have played a part in that). The other problem I had with it was the unnecessary, and I'd go as far as to say harmful, distortion of historical facts. The real Abigail Williams was eleven years old during the time of the trials. Why Miller felt the need to age up an eleven year old girl and insert a fictional affair as the reason for the start of the Salem witch trials is beyond me.
I'm not usually a stickler for historical accuracy, but this was gross. He could have chosen to portray the lengths people will go to in feuds, even going as far as using children to convict others of serious crimes. But no. What he decided to focus on was the affair between a seventeen year old fictional namesake of an eleven year old girl and a grown man we're supposed to sympathize with by the end of the play. A man who blames his wife for giving him the side eye after he cheated on her and, in the same breath, blames the teen girl he had an affair with for believing he felt something for her. Needless to say, I didn't have much sympathy to spare for him.
This was written as an allegory for McCarthyism, and it does show the dangers of mass hysteria and a lack of due process; but there's something profoundly sad about a story that's supposed to show the absurdity and injustice of the witch trials dehumanizing and vilifying the women and children involved in it.
September 25, 2019
Preparing to watch a performance of The Crucible on stage, I start to feel almost nauseous.
When I read Arthur Miller's play some twenty years ago, the kind of witch hunts he described could technically be seen as a distant or not-so-distant past, depending on whether you looked at them as the actual Salem events or as a paraphrase on the McCarthy era, but they were definitely past!
Now, however, the waters are increasingly muddy, and the hunters yell "witch hunt" while burning innocents for their pleasure and power. The perpetrator as a victim is a new take on witch hunting, where more subtle knowledge than Orwell's Doublethink is required to understand what is going on and why.
When a president is called out for criminal behaviour, he yells witch hunt and turns into a symbolical innocent woman who needs to be saved. When a sexual predator is put on trial, he calls "witch hunt", and people actually commiserate with his destroyed life, as if "witches" had the double function of destroying the honourable society of dignified men and of turning those men into the hunted witches whenever that serves a purpose.
In the era of MeToo this is a play that is particularly painful to read and watch. Mass hysteria in young women serves the men in power well, and they use it to discredit witnesses. The trap for the girls is of sadistic perfection: if you threaten them that they will die if they do not confess untruth, you can later use the confession of untruth to discredit truth confessed.
Threaten a woman that she will lose her status, her job, her honour if she speaks up, and you you can blame her later for "not speaking up in time".
Either way, you lose!
When I read Arthur Miller's play some twenty years ago, the kind of witch hunts he described could technically be seen as a distant or not-so-distant past, depending on whether you looked at them as the actual Salem events or as a paraphrase on the McCarthy era, but they were definitely past!
Now, however, the waters are increasingly muddy, and the hunters yell "witch hunt" while burning innocents for their pleasure and power. The perpetrator as a victim is a new take on witch hunting, where more subtle knowledge than Orwell's Doublethink is required to understand what is going on and why.
When a president is called out for criminal behaviour, he yells witch hunt and turns into a symbolical innocent woman who needs to be saved. When a sexual predator is put on trial, he calls "witch hunt", and people actually commiserate with his destroyed life, as if "witches" had the double function of destroying the honourable society of dignified men and of turning those men into the hunted witches whenever that serves a purpose.
In the era of MeToo this is a play that is particularly painful to read and watch. Mass hysteria in young women serves the men in power well, and they use it to discredit witnesses. The trap for the girls is of sadistic perfection: if you threaten them that they will die if they do not confess untruth, you can later use the confession of untruth to discredit truth confessed.
Threaten a woman that she will lose her status, her job, her honour if she speaks up, and you you can blame her later for "not speaking up in time".
Either way, you lose!
August 28, 2017
I'll never stop thinking about this... it was incredible
November 11, 2020
ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING!!!!
3rd book of the Rory Gilmore Readathon!!!
3rd book of the Rory Gilmore Readathon!!!
August 22, 2019
"Oh, the noose, the noose is up!"
What an intense and disturbing read!
The crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller in 1953, about the destructive nature of superstition, ignorance, fear, corruption, greed and vengeance. It is ostensibly based on the witch trials in Salem in the seventeenth century, but is truly inspired by the persecutions of communists and 鈥渦nAmericans鈥� by Senator McCarthy.
What an intense and disturbing read!
The crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller in 1953, about the destructive nature of superstition, ignorance, fear, corruption, greed and vengeance. It is ostensibly based on the witch trials in Salem in the seventeenth century, but is truly inspired by the persecutions of communists and 鈥渦nAmericans鈥� by Senator McCarthy.
October 26, 2019
So, so good. Eerie. Entertaining. I really want to see this acted out now!
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