The crucible 2
The crucible 2Back in the 1950's, when insecurity permeated the air, and people were ruled by fear, Arthur Miller wrote a play, which defined the line between insecurity and fear. The Crucible was a remade story of the carnal Salem Witch trials, in which many innocent victims lost their lives. Through this play Miller is trying to convey the message that death is not in our possession; we are not messengers of God. Only God decrees those who are to die, because God is in heaven and we are on Earth and we cannot read his will. Despite this fact, those harsh souls in The Crucible believe that the courts are messengers of God and their decisions are divine. In many cases such as that of the Salem Witch trials the results can be devastating.
The Crucible is a heartfelt tale of agony and devotion. Throughout Salem's struggle for justice and purity, the townspeople are faced with a question, "Are we really messengers of God?" Everyone handles the question differently. Those of the town who are in positions of power, such as Judge Danforth, doubt themselves, but must admit to being true messengers of God for the sake of political hierarchy. Danforth admits this in his lecture to Reverend Hale, "Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now." (Miller, P.124) He also follows through in his position of power in admitting he was just in his actions of punishment, "While I speak God's law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering." (Miller, P124) Judge Danforth backs up his cause with a biblical reference demonstrating his utter belief in his cause, "Mr. Hale, as God have not empowered me like Joshua to stop this sun from rising, so I cannot withhold them from the perfection of their punishment." (Miller, P125)
Others, not leaders in the hierarchy, like Reverend Hale, must take a different stance to the posed question. Being more spiritual than he is political, he takes the position that we are not messengers of God, for he has seen what power and political stance do to one, even though he originally sided with Danforth on the matter. Even after Danforth's rebuke, he still is able to muster a response that we, the officials are wrong, "Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my own. I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; the very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence, it died; and where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up. Beware, Goody Proctor-cleave to no faith when faith brings blood…" (Miller, P126) Hale discovers in his life that misguided faith causes one to believe he has the right answers. Yet, neither of these...
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