grace dilger: Elizabeth's opposition to authority in Arthur Miller's The Crucible is a critical moment in the development of the plot. In act II, Elizabeth challenges Reverend Hale, a well respected Reverend. When he accuses her of witchery, she denies the very existence of witches. Hale doesn't easily fall to her challenge, continuing to argue with her. She says finally, "If you think I am one, then I say there are none" (Miller 70). As a woman, a second class citizen, her opinion is already to be kept to herself, but even worse she is a "criminal." Though Hale finds the outburst offensive, it is in fact crucial. Without her challenge, others may not have ensued. She is the first accused to openly defend herself. Had she not, many of the accused may not have eventually been released. By putting the thought of challenge to authority figures she begins to spread the idea that perhaps innocence is possible.
dani berkowitz: Every moment in a play has significance to something. This may be the plot, character development, or foreshadowing. The most pivotal moment in The Crucible is during Act II when Mary Warren is being questioned. At this point, witchcraft is not around every corner yet; the devil has not yet taken over Salem.
During the questioning, Cheever exclaims that the poppet Elizabeth Proctor keeps contains a needle in the stomach. At the same time, Abigail claims a voodoo doll has made her jab herself in the stomach. to the Puritans, all fingers point to the possibility of Elizabeth as a witch.
Mary admits to giving Elizabeth the poppet. Still, the blame is not on Mary. The blame is on Elizabeth. This is important and monumental because the characters that accuse Salem citizens of witchcraft have no method to their madness. If they believe one is a witch, they will gather anything that can be used as proof. Cheever exclaims after Elizabeth makes a rude remark out of anger, "You heard that Sir! Ripped out of the world! Herrick, you heard it!"(Miller 76). Cheever is melting away all logic to prove her false. He uses Elizabeth's word's to show she is a witch. This sparks a whole new world of accusations throughout the play.
dani berkowitz: Every moment in a play has significance to something. This may be the plot, character development, or foreshadowing. The most pivotal moment in The Crucible is during Act II when Mary Warren is being questioned. At this point, witchcraft is not around every corner yet; the devil has not yet taken over Salem.
During the questioning, Cheever exclaims that the poppet Elizabeth Proctor keeps contains a needle in the stomach. At the same time, Abigail claims a voodoo doll has made her jab herself in the stomach. to the Puritans, all fingers point to the possibility of Elizabeth as a witch.
Mary admits to giving Elizabeth the poppet. Still, the blame is not on Mary. The blame is on Elizabeth. This is important and monumental because the characters that accuse Salem citizens of witchcraft have no method to their madness. If they believe one is a witch, they will gather anything that can be used as proof. Cheever exclaims after Elizabeth makes a rude remark out of anger, "You heard that Sir! Ripped out of the world! Herrick, you heard it!"(Miller 76). Cheever is melting away all logic to prove her false. He uses Elizabeth's word's to show she is a witch. This sparks a whole new world of accusations throughout the play.
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