The connection between the McCarthy Era and the play 'The Crucible'

The McCarthy era and The Crucible may not seem like they have anything to do with each other, however, this is not true. When looked into, there are many similarities between the two. The first is the idea in both of how innocent people are being blamed for things they didn't do, as a result of hysteria and when something goes wrong. No one would stand up to these accusations because they were scared of the outcome until the issue was taken too far, much like Abigail in the Crucible. As a result of no one standing up for themselves in the McCarthy era (the same for the crucible), many were effected to a great extent. The accusations in Salem led too executions of many, and even though none were killed in the McCarthy era, in America numerous careers where permanently ruined and people were imprisoned.  These communists who were imprisoned were ostracised like the witches in Salem. There are many ideas in the play The Crucible that relate to the McCarthy era, and Miller is most definitely pointing out the echoes that he finds still in existence in the America of his time.

POINTED NOTES: What is the connection between the McCarthy era and the play?

Notes:

• The idea of blaming other innocent people came from McCarthy in the same sort of context as in the Crucible. 
• Links between characters, HUAC is like the girls in the trial, communists are like the witches, Hollywood ten are like those who refuse to confess.
• Both a result of hysteria
• Once someone was accused the could not escape it
• If you confessed you had to then name other people
• No one was willing to stand up against Abigail or McCarthy until they took it to far
• Blaming others when something goes wrong
• The accusations in Salem led to executions and in America careers were permanently ruined or other people were imprisoned
• The group of communists were ostracised like the witches were
• Miller is pointing out the echoes that he finds still in existence in the America of his time. 

Is John Proctor a hero or not? We have debated this in class. Now choose the most effective point in the argument for or against and write a paragraph on this point with a really effective topic sentence and evidence from the play in support. Include at least one correctly punctuated quotation.

In the play The Crucible written by Arthur Miller, one of the main characters is John Proctor, and some are unsure that he would be considered a hero or not, however, he is certainly not one. By dictionary definition, a hero is one,  typically a man, who is admired for courage or noble qualities the chief male charter in a book, play or movie, which is typically identified with good qualities. These qualities may include being selfless, trutheful and courageous. This is most certainly the opposite of John Proctor.  When Johns actions are looked at as a whole throughout the whole play, they are almost villain like. Firstly, he disregards his religion and is unfaithful. John Proctor rarely comes to church as he is too busy 'farming' on sundays, some of his sons aren't even baptised, and he also FORGOT some of the ten commandments when reciting them. Not only is he not faithful to God, he is also unfaithful to his WIFE! John Proctor not only once, but countless time cheats on his wife in a long lasting affair with Abigail, practically still a child living in the village. John Proctor quotes in the play "God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore’s vengeance. . . .". A real hero does firstly not cheat on his wife and his loved ones, and secondly, a hero does not call people such disgraceful names like 'whore'. John Proctor is also certainly a hero, as hero's a selfless, courageous, and he is definitely not. In the play, he states merely before his death "How may I live without my name?". Selfish is the only word that he can be described as. In the end of the story line, he is faced with the decision to live with a lie, still being able to support his family, his pregnant wife, or die, knowing he isn't lying, abandoning everyone, and somewhat giving up. This is most certainly not being selfless, one of the main characteristics and qualities one must display to be considered a hero.  It is clear evident that John Proctor is an unfaithful, non-religious, selfish and heartless man. 

Script between characters - By Emma, Camille & Anais

Camille: This is getting out of hand

Emma: People are dying and its all our fault

Anais: No, it’s Abigail’s.

Camille: Yes, she was the one who made us lie! She drank the chicken blood!

Emma: Well we can’t tell on her without getting in trouble as well.

Camille: I don’t want to get hanged!

Anais: Well what’s the point of living with these lies if we are going to be damned to hell for them anyway?

Emma: This has gone too far

Camille: There is nothing we can do anymore. We have to keep this up and hope that it does not go much further.

Anais: No one is safe anymore! For all you know tomorrow your mothers could be on trial

Emma: But that would be more likely if we defy Abigail.

Camille: Exactly, so we have to keep on her side if we want to be safe and keep our loved ones safe as well.

Emma: So we agree? We have to keep this up.

Anais: Innocent people are dying!

Camille: Do you want to be one of them?

Anais: No

Emma: Then you will not tell the truth okay?

Anais: Fine

Camille: Right settled then.

Why do you think John Proctor decides to confess? Why does he change his mind? Give evidence for both your answers

At first, it is thought that because John wanted to live, he would most definitely confess to witchcraft, especially considering Elizabeth is pregnant and has other children, whom he wants to be alive and there for. He asks his wife if they are healthy and how the unborn child is going. However, as they deepen in conversation, John becomes unsure of his decision.  He decides to confess, however after writing the paper, he changes his mind as he does not want to be living his life in a lie, it is too much of a sin.  Evidence of this is shown in Act four:
Hatherone cries, “He will confess! Proctor will confess!” 
which is followed by John Proctor replying:
“Why do you cry it? It is evil, is it not? It is evil.”
He is at this stage now very uncertain at what choice he is going to make, and looks to his wife for guidance, however, she replies 'I cannot judge you, John". 
He then decides to confess, and sign the paper, finally understanding what Elizabeth was trying to say to him, which was that he shouldn't not and cannot be able to live with himself lying, and thus stick to the truth and his beliefs, even if it means he will be hanged. 

Re-read the final scene between John and Elizabeth. Elizabeth refuses to advise her husband but she clearly has a point of view on his situation. In her heart, what does want him to do? What would she say to him if she could?

In the final scene, Elizabeth refuses to advise her husband but clear she has a point of view in this situation. In her heart, she wants him to truly confess, because she loves him and doesn't want him dead, and even though they seem like a dull couple. She knows however that if he does confess he won't be able to forgive and they may even become an even worse couple. She does not want him dead, but also doesn't want him to be living a lie.

Construct a response to Danforth. What do you think she might have wanted to say to him in response to his accusation that she is "stone"? Make your response as long as Danforth's speech.

Danforth on pg. 116:

Goody Proctor, you are not sum-moned here for disputation. Be there no wifely tenderness within you? He will die with the sunrise. Your husband. Do you under-stand it? She only looks at him. What say you? Will you contend with him? She is silent. Are you stone? I tell you true, woman, had I no other proof of your unnatural life, your dry eyes now would be sufficient evidence that you delivered up your soul to Hell! A very ape would weep at such calamity! Have the devil dried up any tear of pity in you? She is silent. Take her out. It profit nothing she should speak to him!

Elizabeth’s reply:

How dare you Danforth. Thy be filled with wifely tenderness, my words will not change any accusations towards my John, what do you expect me to say. Am I stone? AM I STONE? Are you stone? No matter what I could or can say, nothing will change ones indictments, I cannot make or tell such an innocent person to lie, that would be a sin against thy Christian beliefs. No decision is mine to make, Judge Danforth, only I will animate with ones consequence. 

The Crucible Act 1 In his introduction of John Hale starting on page 37, what attitude does Arthur Miller take to the belief in the devil/evil spirits? Write a paragraph response using quotations in support of your explanation. This is quite a difficult passage. You will need to read it carefully and give your response some thought. Post on your blog by Monday 8.20

In The Crucible, Act one we are introduced to a character named John Hale. John Hale is a reverend, and it is described that his ultimate goal is to 'fight the devil' thus meaning he does take a strong attitude to the belief in the devils and spirits. He is also a very intelligent but is somewhat a naive and complex man, and can even carry out 'tricks' to see if there are any evil spirits amongst or hiding in Betty Parris. He is desribred by Arthur Miller in the book as “a tight-skinned, eager-eyed intellectual. This is a beloved errand for him; on being called here to ascertain witchcraft he has felt the pride of the specialist whose unique knowledge has at last been publicly called for.” John Hale, being a pure Christian, he believes that by travelling to Salem to find people guilty of being possessed by the devil and committing acts of witchcraft he is doing the right thing.  He also believes that if one believes in Heaven, God, the creation of Earth and Jesus, they must also believe in the devil and what comes with it.  Arthur Miller suggests in the Crucible that our beliefs are a “divided empire in which certain ideas and emotions and actions are of God, and their opposites are of Lucifer (Satan)". Arthur Miller has led us to believe just like himself, that John Hale believes in the devil and his attitude towards it is that Satan, spirits and devils are just as relevant to religion as God, Heaven and the creation of earth are.

(John Hale in the movie, The Crucible, Right)

Choose 2 characters one of whom you person positively one to whim you respond negatively. What aspects of the text have positioned you to respond this way? You may want to consider representations, characterisation and voice. Quote in support.

A character I like: John Proctor

A character whom I personally respond to positively is firstly John Proctor. I find that I respond to him positively because he is very noble and loyal towards his wife. He chooses not to go off with Abigail even when she tells him she loves him and what not. I find this positive as we is trustworthy towards his wife. He sticks to his morals and ethnics. Throughout the many discussions of witchcraft and devils etc., he continues to remain calm, does not loose is composure and definitely even-tempered. He is faithful and stands up for what he believes in and I find this very positive also.

A character I dislike: Abigail

I dislike and respond to the character Abigail negatively. She is extremely selfish, only thinking of ways to get herself out of trouble, is very feisty and does not fit into the society. She is not proper and cannot control her temper; he individuality is almost too strong.  She lies towards everyone’s face and uses this to manipulate and overpower everyone.  She also tries to blame everyone else on her actions, especially blaming Tituba.  She is also very violent, especially in the scene where she is trying to wake Betty, slapping her across the face and hurting her.