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 The Crucible (Penguin Classics) :: 0142437336
Description
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Based on historical people and real events, Arthur Miller's play uses the destructive power of socially sanctioned violence unleashed by the rumors of witchcraft as a powerful parable about McCarthyism.
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Author: Guest
The Crucible
The crucible is a pretty good book. It is not only a good peace of literature but also a good history lesson. It sends a mix of messages throughout the story such as , good vs. evil, why are the towns people so cruel?, why do they put so much judgment on each other and lastly are the townsmen turning other suspected witches in for the sake of the town or to cover their own backs? As you read the book, it gives off a sense of evil and demonic feeling. Although, you probly feel annoyed with certain characters in the book, you soon come to realize that they're only doing what they thought was in the best interest for the town.
The crucible is all about the excommunicating of witches in the early 1900`s. All the people believed excommunicating or even better, burning them at the stake would eliminate the problem. I think for the time it took place and obvious lack of trust that was in the town the people were truly fighting for the best thing in their minds. I also feel like the people are living an unaccomplished life because all they did was fear each other and accuse each other of witchcraft.
In my opinion, the book is a good read and it offers a lot to think about when you put it down. That is if you can put it down. All in all the suspicion , hatred, accusations, and judgmental attitudes turned out to be one of the most interesting parts of American History. This book is a good piece and Id recommend it to anyone.
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Author: Guest
I thought this play was excellent. I haven't read many American plays before, but this one was definitely great. It takes place during the Salem Witch Trials, and follows the inhabitants over a period of several months. I thought it was interesting mainly because it gave me some insight into how terrifying it must have been for the people who lived back then. It shows how hysteria can make people believe anything and how a small minority can destroy so many people's lives, once they realize how much power they have. It was very disturbing, because it makes you realize how fragile our society is; but it is also very enlightening.
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Author: Guest
This was a very good play. I was actually forced to read it for school though. Usually I'm reading books like "Gossip Girl" and "The A-list", so this was a big change. The whole play is based around the character "John Proctor" who had an affair with a young girl, also neice of the Reverend, Abagail Willams. Abagail is determined to get him back, but John does not want her back and has to live with his guilt of adultery forever. Abagail,angry that John doesn't want her accuses his wife of witchcraft, along with many others. I won't tell you the ending, but it is pretty simple, how these people really thought that these people living around them were witches. The play is based on Mcarthyism... it was a really good read.
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Author: Guest
The Crucible, Arthur Miller's allegory for the McCarthy era trials, is a wonderful story of pride, love, power, and redemption.
Act One sets the stage very nicely, with a sense of distrust and suspicion in the air that's just waiting to erupt into full hysteria. We're introduced to several interesting characters. There's Parris, the self-righteous minister; Abigail, the voluptuous young woman; and Proctor, the protective farmer. Of course, these are just a few of the characters, but, in my opinion, they are the most interesting. My only complaint on Act One is the lengthy side notes made by Miller used to make characterizations that didn't fit into the play otherwise, and explain historical facts and rumors in more detail. Despite these missives being useful, they also tend to be quite intrusive. I often found myself backtracking through the pages to remind myself what was going on.
Act Two continues to set the stage for impending hysteria, with the arrest of Elizabeth and numerous other women accused of witchcraft. Giles Corey and Francis Nurse's wives are also taken into custody, despite the evidence against one of them simply being an interest in books.
Act Three introduces us to the unrepentant Judge Danforth. In my opinion, he's the second most unlikable character, bested (for serious lack of a better word) only by Abigail. He's the main proprietor of the idea that neutrality on an issue is simply non-existent, and this coupled with his vicious ideology make him quite a deplorable character indeed.
It is also in this act that John Proctor, the protagonist, is charged with witchcraft, while his wife is let free due to a pregnancy. Tensions stir, causing a complete eruption, ending in the resignation of Minister Hale from Danforth's proceedings.
Act Four finds Proctor in jail, facing execution unless he confesses to having been under the control of the Devil. In Elizabeth's confidence, he firmly defends his innocence, but ponders the possibility that perhaps he should confess to save his own life, which Elizabeth supports.
Proctor reluctantly decides that he will lie and confess to save his own life. However, when he finds that Danforth intends for his confession to be in writing and hung upon the church door, he retracts his confession and states that he would rather die than tell a lie and be the judge of others. The curtain falls as Proctor is brought out to hang, with a cry from Danforth of, "Hang them high over the town! Who weeps for these weeps for corruption!"
There's a running sense of doubt among all the characters, which perhaps adds to the fear of God that causes the eventual aberration. It's an extremely moving tale on its own, but the fact that it's almost a flawless mirror of the McCarthyist era makes it all the more affecting. The characters are all amazingly believable; I truly felt pain for Proctor, Elizabeth, and Giles, just as I truly felt contempt for Parris, Danforth, and Abigail.
I recommend this play to anyone, but especially those who have read and enjoyed any of Miller's other work.
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Author: Guest
I went into this play with an open mind and a sort of delight for anything to do with history but I was EXTREAMLY disappointed!! It was boaring from page 1 to the end. So do yourself a favor and rent the moive before you read the book. Trust me you'll thank me for it later. If not, make sure you have a pillow with you when you open to that first page.
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