Stacey

Stacey Borel 12b English **__ Topic 1 __** As the author Arthur Miller I would say that I used stage directions in order to enhance the tone, emphasis and the tension that we see throughout the play and within the characters. She also chose to insert the stage directions in a way that the climax and major scenarios become a major focus for the audience. She does this by first creating tension between two or more characters and then used movement and stage directions to over dramatize in a way the climax. With this technique it helps to keep the play interesting and avoids and technique of alienation. An example of this is shown on page 8 act 1 line 7. “//Scrambling to his feet in a fury…he is overcome with sobs. He clamps his teeth against them and closes the door and leans against it exhausted”.// This took place when Tituba entered the room and Paris at the time was considering the possibilities that could occur if word broke out that he was linked to witchcraft due to the fact that his daughter confronted/ encountered the Devil on purpose. Therefore when Tituba made her appearance and asked //“my betty be hearty soon?... My betty not goin’ die”// ( page 8 lines 3-6) he did not wish to hear such possibilities. With the word “scrambling” it gives both the actors and audience a feeling that the character (Paris) is tense. With the use of “scrambling” as a pose to get up people imagine abrupt movements, clumsiness, surprise, helplessness, and uncertainty. remember Miller is a 'playwright' and a man.

Stacey Borel 12b English

**__Topic 2__**
 * I believe that the main catalyst in the play the Crucible is the non Christian act that takes place and causes mass hysteria in Salem. I believe this due to the fact that Salem is an isolated village that has little connections to other areas/regions. Hence tradition is important to them, it is what they have done for countless years and their beliefs are set in stone. Therefore when children break this tradition in the worst possible way by resulting in a non Christian act the entire village starts to loose its sense and children take control of the government and law. This results in unnecessary deaths, mass hysteria and frenzy. **
 * I also believe that there is an accomplice that is a main catalyst apart from the non Christian act and that is Abigail Williams. Abigail Williams is the leader of all the children who are overruling Salem. She also has hidden relationships with each character. I also believe that Abigail Williams was the character whose sole goal was to over power and manipulate the government and laws in Salem, therefore she can be blamed for starting or igniting a spark. Another key point is that without Abigail everyone would have just continued with their daily lives and nothing would have changed in Salem. **
 * Her relationship with the other character is what allowed her success to be an easy one. The secret shared between Abigail Williams and John Procter meant that Procter had to remain silent if he wished to continue possessing a “good name” or “unsoiled name in the village”. As well as that Paris never wished to admit witchcraft under his roof. **
 * In conclusion Abigail Williams was the main catalyst in The Crusible because of her non Christian acts, her ways of manipulation, relationships and selfishness (she wished to protect herself and put others in harms way to achieve her goals.) **

Stacey Borel 12b English **__ Topic 3 __**  I have chosen pages 48 to 49 in order to complete topic 3. I have chosen these pages due to the fact that I believe that the tension, suspense and relationship between the two characters alter as the play progresses through these two pages. At the beginning of page 48, Procter is seen eating a “well seasoned” rabbit prepared by goody Procter. Elisabeth Procter is standing besides him inquiring on the food. However I believe that because this scenario is so calm and common that I believe that Elizabeth should sit herself down at the table. This way the situation does not seem tense, and we can see that the two respect each other. Although at this point in time men were superior to women the way that it was written almost seems as though goody Procter is a servant to John Procter, who is examining the food. This makes their relationship look tense, however later on she does sit besides him. The next section that I would alter is when Elizabeth is cleaning her husband’s plate by the sink and asks //“I think you’re sad again. Are you?”// if I were to direct this scene I would keep Elizabeth sitting at the table and have her avoid eye contact with John Procter, perhaps looking at his plate or at the table. I would do this because this is a personal question where she obviously wishes to gain the truth and perhaps know what is causing Procter to keep his distances. If she were to do it this way Procter might understand that the question has more meaning. If she is cleaning the dishes it seems as though the question is not an important one. The last part that I would change is when Procter replies //“why’d you let her? You heard me forbid her to go!”// I would have him hit his fist against the table. I would do this due to the fact that is was made clear at the beginning that Procter envied marry warren in a way (even though near the end he seems more sympathetic towards her due to the fact that she was the only person able to help him retrieve his wife.) Hence by slamming his fist, it would be made clear that he had something against her. As well as that if he were to lose control over his emotions during this piece and then quickly retrieve by softening his voice in an apologetic way or manner in his next line, it would create more tension for the audience and a slight amount of frenzy.

Stacey Borel 12b English

Although both the play and the movie were very much so alike in tension and climax there were a few aspects that separated the two Medias apart from each other. For example, the author Arthur Miller was quite explicit in the way the characters create the tension; this means that a lot is asked of the actors. This is the aspect that I found quite intriguing. I believe that the actors did a brilliant role in modifying this play into a movie. I particularly admired Hales part. Although at first he was not what I was expecting I believe that he did very well in his attempt to keep balance between all the tension going on in the play i.e. non Christian movements, the relationship between John Procter and Abigail Williams etc. There were other characters that did take me as surprise such as John Procter. When I was reading the play I had imagined him as a man in his late 60’s who did not wish to get too involved with the court and Salem. However in the book his name is quite a common one around the village and is also a man who spends his days out working under the heat of the sun. In conclusion I believe that the movie was a great success- it was also really helpful in order to see other sides to the book, and you got pulled more into the story because of the visual effects i.e. the care that was taken in order to recreate every setting perfectly. The factors that I believe assisted in making the movie such a success was the amount of detailed stage direction placed in the script, the characters backgrounds, and the scenes descriptions.
 * __ Topic 4 __**

Some well focused responses here Stacey wirth some well supported quotations. I like the comparison between the play and the movie which makes some valid and well argued points. At times throughout these paragraphs you lack depth and detail in terms of use of examples and quotations in support to the play. Try to make yure you don't generalise too much and to think more about how your points can come across in a more persuasive manner. You are missing paragraph 5 - please complete.

__Knowledge and Understanding - 3__ __Appreciation of Literary Features-3__ __Interpretations of the Text from the Written Commentary__ - 3