How does Miller build up drama In the Crucible? - page 1
Keywords: In what ways does Miller succeed in making the moment when Proctor tears up the confessions particularly dramatic in “the crucible”?
By Alec on 30/09/2008
Level: GCSE Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Page Number: 1 of 3 pages: 1 2 3Arthur Miller was born in New York in 1915 and went to the university of Michigan. His first play was called “The man who had all his luck” (1947). His first successful play was “All my sons”(1947) but what made him one of the 20th century’s best playwrights was the multi-award winning “Death of a salesman”. Miller wrote The Crucible in 1953 during the cold war as according Miller the war was unnecessary as he was interested in Marxism.
Miller builds up tension by using time; the power of Danforth versus Hale and the image of Proctor himself. All those who have been convicted have to be hung at sunrise. So the authorities are desperate for Proctor to confess as the people should believe in his example so it will convince the people that the authorities are right. There is a constant battle between Danforth and Hale so Miller keeps you in suspense by getting the audience to think “who will prevail?” Also Danforth cannot have the execution delayed as he says, “postponement displays a floundering on my part.” Compared to how Proctor acts in the first three acts he looks and seems to be “another man” and when he enters Miller describes him to be “bearded, filthy, his eyes misty as though webs had grown over them.” As one hundred people had already confessed Proctor would be put under a lot of pressure. Firstly Proctor asks for his life and then asks Elizabeth to judge him but Elizabeth replies, “I cannot judge you.”
In a way act 4 parallels with act 2 when Proctor tears up Elizabeth’s warrant for her arrest. He does it with anger as he says “out with you” to Cheever and when he rips his own confession in act 4 in the stage directions Proctor “tears up the confession as if it was his life” but there is a huge difference, in act 4 John Proctor is tearing up his life.
What changed Proctor’s mind to tear up the confession was Rebecca entering. As she was in such a bad state and that she was one of the most respected people in Salem. So Proctor did not want to disappoint her by lying and confessing to seeing the devil when he did not. This is why as soon as she entered the room Proctor changed his mind you know he is embarrassed about lying in front of Rebecca as
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