Skip to main content

In The Crucible, Arthur Miller did not describe a real illicit affair between Proctor and Abigail. Why would Arthur Miller add this fictional...

On one hand, I think Miller might have added this fictional affair because it provides Abigail with a really concrete reason, a very strong motivation, to continue making accusations: she wants to eliminate John Proctor's wife and have him all to herself. Abigail's willingness to accuse innocent people like Elizabeth really characterizes her as incredibly manipulative, conniving, and malicious.


On the other hand, Miller might have added this fictional affair because it problematizes the character...

On one hand, I think Miller might have added this fictional affair because it provides Abigail with a really concrete reason, a very strong motivation, to continue making accusations: she wants to eliminate John Proctor's wife and have him all to herself. Abigail's willingness to accuse innocent people like Elizabeth really characterizes her as incredibly manipulative, conniving, and malicious.


On the other hand, Miller might have added this fictional affair because it problematizes the character of John Proctor. He is not some perfect and guiltless man; he is a sinner, and he feels terrible guilt for his affair with Abigail. John initially thinks of himself as a fraud as a result of his affair with Abigail, and his struggle to regain his self-respect and sense of his own goodness is a major component of the play.  His internal conflict is, in many ways, even more important than the external conflict. It is, in the end, John's personal redemption that matters most to him (and to Elizabeth)—so much so that he is willing to trade his life in order to retain it. Without his and Abigail's prior relationship, John would likely be much less relatable because he would not have such personal struggle. John's weakness humanizes him.

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

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

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more