Crucible
Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, is about the persecution of persons falsely accused of being witches in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. Many people die in the village after a series of lies and unjust practices. Abigail Williams, after having had an affair with a married man, begins this cycle of lies and accusations in an attempt to get her lover back. Her character includes both superiority and resentment throughout the play.
Miller shows Abigail's superiority as complex from the beginning. When all of the talk about witchcraft troubles her uncle, Abigail thinks she should be the authority. When she says, "Uncle, the rumor of witchcraft is all about; I think you'd best go down and deny it yourself," (9) she is showing her knowledge of social situations and giving her uncle, who is much older the she, advice. Abigail also thinks of herself as superior to the natives of Barbados. When her uncle discusses her work for the Proctors, she says that "they want slaves, not such as I. Let them send to Barbados for any of them!" (12). She is prejudiced against these people and her remarks reveal her snobbishness. Finally, Abigail's snobbish character is apparent through her statements to John Proctor about his wife Elizabeth. She says, "Oh, I marvel how such a strong man can be with such a sickly wife" (23). Abigail obviously thinks highly of herself: she is worthy of Proctor's love, but Elizabeth is not. Abigail shows a character of superiority by her authoritative, prejudiced, and snobbish remarks.
Abigail Williams also shows a tinge of resentment in the play. When Mary Warren confesses that the witchcraft is only pretend, Abigail is angry. She accuses Mary of being a witch, too. Abigail's resentment of her friend's betrayal causes her to seek revenge. After Abigail's brief affair with John Proctor, she can not accept the fact that the relationship has ended. She says, "I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart!...You loved me John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet!" (24). This desperation causes her to resent both Proctor and his wife. The resentment leads to revenge when she accuses Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft. Her resentment deepens when Proctor tells the court about their affair. Abigail's resentment is apparent through her words and her actions.
Author Miller's development of Abigail William's character in The Crucible greatly affects the plot of the play. Her snobbishness and superiority make many people believe her lies. Her resentment toward those that betray her influences many of her decisions. The authoritative, deceitful character of Abigail Williams is certainly unforgettable.
Tituba a strong and kind hearted young woman, very different from the Tituba we meet in The Crucible. I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem unveils for the reader, Tituba's life, loves, and losses. Her long and arduous journey through life is inspired by her many female counterparts, yet also hindered by her insatiable weakness for men, who also press upon her the realities of life.
Tituba's life is one full of magic and wonder, yet also fraught with suffering. The majority of Tituba'' pain and suffering is caused by the hands of men, in particular, white men. The most prominent destructive white male in Tituba's life is Samuel Parris. From the moment Tituba is placed into Parris' ownership, he is quote clear about his hatred for Negroes. He thrives on he power bestowed upon him by the forces of racism and, at the same time, cowardly hides behind the mask of religion. He treats Tituba as if she is worthless, and undeserving of a happy life, which breaks down her sense of self-worth and self-confidence. Because of his status as a Puritan white male, this infringement upon fundamental human rights is overlooked by the public.
While Samuel Parris' mistreatment of Tituba is more obvious, she is also betrayed by her own husband, John Indian. When Tituba first meets John Indian, she is "simply fascinated by the bravado of his voice and his smile," (13) and this is due to her inexperience with men. In retrospect, Tituba realizes he was, in fact, weak, but she is blinded from this knowledge by her overpowering love for him. Tituba's love for John is so unwavering that she in unable to see his self-righteous qualities and with what ease he will give up on his love for her to save himself. After her arrest, John's betrayal becomes apparent: "For me it seemed her had made a pact with my tormentors . . . wouldn't he have been capable of shouting: "Oh, oh, Tituba is tormenting me! Yes my wife is a witch!" (109). John Indian's betrayal is the ultimate climax of men's' destructive influence on Tituba's life, yet she continues to fall into various relationships with men throughout the novel, ultimately leading to her demise.
Had Tituba's life consisted of relationships only with men, it is unlikely that she would have survived to return to her native Barbados. She relies upon the guidance and support of female characters throughout the novel to help her persevere and pick up the pieces of her life. One of the most essential characters to Tituba's strength is Mama Yaya. Mama Yaya instills strong values in Tituba at a young ago which she carries with her throughout life, such as her need to aid all those who suffer with her powers. Ironically, Mama Yaya then abandons these morals and leaves Tituba because of her weakness for men. When Tituba travels to Salem to be by John Indian's side, Mama Yaya betrays Tituba, and Abena laments her daughter's weakness with long-winded sighs.
The sole female character who maintains faith in Tituba is Hester. She looks past Tituba's race and accepts her as beautiful: "What a magnificent color she's got her skin and what a wonderful way she has of covering up her feelings!" (95) Hester teaches Tituba much about how to prepare her deposition, and impresses upon her the concept that it is forgivable to compromise values to save one's own life.
Hester is also a significant character because she helps to enforce the idea that life is full of opportunity. When Tituba first arrives at Ipswich, she is desolate and heart broken. Hester opens her heart as well as her cell to Tituba, showing her the first signs of kindness she has experiences since the circus surrounding the Salem witch trials began. Hester is unfazed by Tituba's reputation which precedes her and is able to see Tituba's true altruistic nature. Her reaction after initially meeting Tituba is shown in the following quote: "... she took my face between her hands. `You cannot have done evil, Tituba! I am sure of that, you're too lovely! Even if they all accused you, I would defend your innocence." (95).
After her heinous treatment in Salem, and the devastating betrayal of John Indian, these words and this faith are rejuvenating to Tituba's emotional stability. Hester's encouragement is felt by Tituba throughout the remainder of her life, and even during her existence as a spirit. She draws on Hester strongly during times of need, for example as she attempts to practice her art after an extended absence: "I felt a pair of lips on my neck and knew it was Hester come to give me courage." (125).
Despite the efforts of Hester and her female counterparts to show Tituba the possibilities of life, the negative influence of John Indian demonstrates the limitations of life. In the novel I, Tituba, John presses upon Tituba the urgency of a slave's life: "John Indian closed the door with a wooden latch and took me in his arms, whispering: 'The duty of a slave is to survive! Do you understand? To survive!'"(22) These harsh words are spoken to Tituba upon arrival at the estate of Susanna Endicott as Tituba reencounters the realities of life for a black slave.
As racism was obviously extremely prevalent in the 1600's, Tituba is limited by her race, but also by her gender. This patriarchal society is much more lenient when dealing with men than women. For Tituba, a black female slave, it seems as if the suffering will never end. After returning to Barbados, she speaks with Yao, and he sadly believes that Negroes will always be limited: "Our memories will have to float to the surface like water lilies...There's no end to the misfortune of black folks." (165)
Maryse Conde's novel I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem is a quasi-epic masterpiece which unashamedly displays it's message for those who read it, regardless of race. Conde uses the novel as a vehicle and the character of Hester as its voice to drive home her message. She strongly advocates for the liberation of the black people and equal treatment of women. While this is an obviously biased view, it is one which cannot to ignored.
It would be unfair to conclude an essay about a novel of such great proportion without matching its weight and grandeur. Tituba's life is one fraught with strong influences; women inspire her to achieve great things while her sole weakness, men, pull her down and ultimately contribute to her demise. Tituba is exposed to the often harsh realities of life, as she attempts to maintain her strong morals and values. Conde is able to drive her vehicle to destroy prejudice straight into success.
Thomas Putnam plays a major role in the Salem witch hunt in Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Inheriting a handsome amount of property makes Putnam a wealthy person; however, it doesn't seem to satisfy his ambition. After the town terribly rejected Putnam's brother-in-law, Bayley, Putnam's bitterness has increased. Finally his prodigious involvement in the relentless accusations places him in the center of the spot light, making him a salient character in both the play and the indignant period of the American history.
Thomas Putnam has a very large part in initiating the Salem witch hunt. He is the first character who blames unnatural causes for the illness among the children. Furthermore, he firmly believes in the existence of 'vengeful spirits layin' hands on these children';(15). 'There is a murderous witch among us,'; he vehemently cries out(16). His action isn't surprising because he has lost seven newborns and his Ruth is sick. He wants to hunt down the witch, but he needs some aid. He lays his eyes on Parris because Parris is the minister and Betty is also ill. Thus, Putnam tries to coerce Parris to witchcraft. 'Declare it yourself,'; Putnam tells Parris, 'you have discovered witchcraft';(16). At this point, Putnam captures everyone's attention, and then he strikes.
Thomas Putnam is behind the accusations toward many people. 'Did you ever see Sarah Good with him,'; he questions Tituba, 'or Osborn?';(46). With fear and panic, Tituba confesses she sees the Devil with them. Sarah Good and Osborn are insignificant in Salem. They certainly don't satisfy Putnam's fastidious demand, so he moves on to the next victim and eventually accuses Rebecca Nurse. 'For murder, she's charged! For the marvelous and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam's babies';(71). Putnam truly stands out of the crowd this time. He is perhaps the only person corrupt enough to accuse Rebecca. Last but not to the least he manipulated his daughter to accuse George Jacobs. Does Putnam simply wants to killed the witches and save the children? No, there is something bigger he is after.
Thomas Putnam profits remarkably in the Salem witch hunt . The person who initiates the event receives all the benefit. Is it a coincident? It is not. Thomas Putnam must have a plan. At the beginning of the play, the argument between Putnam, Giles, and Proctor shows contentions between people over land. 'The tract is in my bounds, it's my bounds, Mr. Proctor,'; says Putnam(32). 'I bought that tract from Goody Nurse's husband five month ago,'; Proctor replies Putnam(32). 'He had no right to sell it. It stands clear in my grandfather's will';, Putnam tries to show evidence(32). Later in the play, Rebecca Nurse, Giles Corey and John Proctor are prosecuted. To whom will the tract go to? Only Mr. Putnam can afford to buy. George Jacobs is hanged because of Ruth. 'If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property-that's law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbor for their land';(96). Putnam is a realistic person. His major plan is to become wealthier and destroy his oppositions in the witch hunt. In the end, Putnam completes his plan successfully.
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