Next class: Sunday 11th February 12.15 – 1.15 pm
Crucible – quotes and context
See pages 37 – 41, 46-47
Those in a position of power: the state/theocratic leaders of Salem
According to Miller, so rigid and intransigent (fixed) are the political and religious leaders of Salem that they accuse all decent and respectable citizens, who do not share their punitive vision of “moral righteousness”, as people who “suck(s) at the Devil’s teats”. In his commentary, Miller advises readers that “we are the children of a history which still sucks at the Devil’s teats” p 38)
Likewise, Miller suggests that this tendency to accuse enemies of “diabolical malevolence” was evident during the Catholic-style inquisitional hearings, just as it is evident in the tendency of leaders of Communist and Capitalist ideologies. Miller refers to the “Red hell” whereby left leaning intellectuals are blamed (labelled) as communists because they were deemed to be a threat to the conservative political world order. IN his commentary, prior to the Reverend Hale’s entrance, Miller states that “in America any man who is not reactionary in his views is open to the charge of alliance with the Red hell”. (38)
As a “a man with many grievances” , Putnam who has a “vindictive nature” , goads Reverend Parris to declare witchcraft. He believes that it is a convenient /expedient means of settling scores with his many enemies and … Parris buckles to Putnam’s commands: “Wait for no one to charge you – declare it yourself. You have discovered witchcraft.”. (24). See Notes on Thomas Putnam.
The Reverend Hale, who enters the stage, weighted down by a bundle of books, is depicted as one who smugly inflates his own self-importance. Believing that he has been chosen to expose the secret workings of the devil, Miller constructs the character of the Reverend as a person who instigates the blame game that has such disastrous consequences. His suggestive tone and ability to subtly manipulate the girls into divulging the “devil” reflects Miller’s view that those in a position of power often manipulate words, use conciliatory gestures, and extraneous props to coerce vulnerable people to follow their religious agenda. Seizing the moment, Reverend Hale tells Tituba, “We will protect you” (Hale), and this immediately gives her the opportunity to accuse others with impunity. As Hale also says: “You are selected Tituba. You are chosen to help us cleanse our village. You are God’s instrument put in our hands to discover the Devil’s agents among us.”
Year of Wonders: An Introduction by Geraldine Brooks
See Notes: Brooks uses the historical context of the bubonic plague which struck Eyam in the 1600s to explore the impact of a crisis on a close-knit community.
- Compare with The Reverend Mompellion’s Leadership (Lesson 2)
- Return to Sunday Homework Summary Notes:
- Please see Summary notes for Language Analysis