Skip to main content

In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, how do the characters' motivations make them do what they do?

Tituba seems motivated by fear. Before Tituba's "confession" that she worked with the Devil, Putnam demands Tituba be hanged, and Parris threatens to "whip [her] to [her] death." Tituba tells Putnam and Parris what they want to hear to escape these fates. 


Mrs. Putnam, on the other hand, seems motivated by pain.  Seven of her eight children have died while they were very young, and Mrs. Putnam is desperate to find a reason for why...

Tituba seems motivated by fear. Before Tituba's "confession" that she worked with the Devil, Putnam demands Tituba be hanged, and Parris threatens to "whip [her] to [her] death." Tituba tells Putnam and Parris what they want to hear to escape these fates. 


Mrs. Putnam, on the other hand, seems motivated by pain.  Seven of her eight children have died while they were very young, and Mrs. Putnam is desperate to find a reason for why this has happened. She sends her living daughter, Ruth, to conjure the spirits of the dead children in order to find out what happened to them.


Abigail seems motivated by greed and revenge. Her uncle confronts her with the rumors about her reputation in the village, and Abigail seems anxious to reestablish her well-regarded character and make the village pay. Abigail also wants John Proctor, her former lover, all to herself. She also wants to exact revenge on John's wife Elizabeth Proctor, who kicked Abigail out of the Proctors' home and ended Abigail and John's relationship. When witchcraft rumors begin, Abigail seizes the opportunity to begin to rid the community of those she does not like, including Elizabeth Proctor. 


John Proctor seems motivated by his torn feelings: he loves his wife, but he seems to still have some soft feelings for Abigail. In addition, John wants to think of himself as a good person, but he struggles because of his affair. John's sometimes contradictory actions and speech reflect his inner conflict and turmoil.


Deputy Governor Danforth seems motivated, at first, by a desire to rid the colony of witchcraft. Later, though, Danforth is much more concerned about maintaining his own authority rather than finding and upholding the truth, allowing the final executions to take place because delaying them would undermine his and the court's authority and lead to doubt about the guilt of those who have already died. Unwilling to do this, Danforth prefers to condemn those whom he likely knows are innocent.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more