Jonathon

__Topic 1__
Stage directions can be used very effectively to portray character development in a play, especially when the development takes place in a short space of time. This way the dialogue can be streamlined and be used for other important parts of a play. For example in act one of the crucible I use stage directions to quickly change the character of Parris. Since I thrust the audience into a very tense scene from the start with lengthy dialogue especially on Parris’s behalf, it would be quite confusing to the audience to change the dialogue as well. However by changing the delivery of the dialogue, and Parris’s body language the character changes can be much more evident without muddling the flow of the play. At the start I show Parris to be in a rage when his slave enters by directing the actor to: “scramble to his feet in a fury”. Then when Tituba leaves, Parris is left alone and we see that he is overcome with fear and grief, “mumbling through his sobs”. In the space of a few seconds the audience learns that Parris is man who is concerned with his image and does not wish to be viewed as weak so he takes his emotions out on others with anger. Later, when Susanna tells him that the doctor asked him to look for unnatural causes to Betty’s state I give the direction for Parris’s eyes to grow wide. This pushes on the idea that he is concerned with his public image.

__Topic 2__
The residents of Salem are a collection of God-fearing, suspicious and proud people. Their repressed freedom of thought allows them to be easily compared to a flock of sheep – startle one and the whole flock runs. The result is a very conflicted society, Rebecca hints at its past conflicts in the line: “we thought to have peace this year”. They are in a perfect situation for someone with motive to manipulate them. Abigail Williams is one of the more intelligent characters of the play with an immense covetousness for John Proctor. She is described as having "an endless capacity for disassembling” meaning she has the ability and perhaps desire to spoil that which is healthy and good. She has seduced Proctor, but he has realized his mistake and therefore wants to distance himself from her. Due to her selfish nature Abigail is willing to curse Elizabeth Proctor to death in order to have John Proctor. When the witchcraft ceremony is stumbled upon by Parris, Abigail is at risk of persecution for witchcraft – a crime punishable by death. Consequently she uses the weaknesses of Salem to manipulate them into a state of hysteria and fear drawing the attention away from herself and at the same time continuing to pursue John Proctor. With this evidence the most likely catalyst of The Crucible seems to be the character of Abigail Williams or if it were to be a specific scene it would be the un-acted scene where Abigail Williams drinks the blood of the crow (it is referred to by some characters though). Perhaps that is why in the film adaptation this scene was written in at the beginning, because the filmmakers decided it was the catalyst of the story. However in my opinon I think that the true catalyst of the play is not one specific character or scene but a part of human nature written into the play – envy and lust. Without Abigail’s lust for John Proctor and envy of his marriage there would be no need for her to use witchcraft and therefore manipulate the town to protect herself. In essence sin is the catalyst of The Crucible.

__Topic 3__
The following is an account of how I would direct the extract: from **Hale:** “tell me you have three children?” on page 62 to **Hale:** “I pray it, I pray it dearly.” On page 64. In this scene Hale visits the Proctor household to garner his own opinion of Elizabeth before she is charged with witch craft. He questions the couple on their faith and so forth. Based on the dialogue and stage directions my opinion of the atmosphere of the scene is that it starts with forced cordiality which deteriorates into accusation and subdued anger. To start I think that Hale should really emphasize the words three and two when asking about Proctors children. “…you have **three** children?...only **two** are baptized? Baptism is what initiates you as a Christian and for Proctor to not have baptized one of his children brings about suspicion in Hale. When Proctor says: “What’s your suspicion Mr. Hale?” he tries to remain civil but his temper is rising, so I would direct the actor to force a smile and speak through gritted teeth perhaps gripping his leg or the table. In Proctors next line he should be visibly angry, so the actor should stand up, gesticulate with his arms and obviously raise his voice. Hale then cuts him off saying: “Oh, did you! That’s a good sign, then.” The actor should use a surprised and praising tone here because the character of Hale is not looking for ill evidence of these people. Later, when Hale asks Elizabeth if she knows her commandments her reply should be very eager shown by sitting forward in her chair, lifting her face and speaking excitedly. When John is called upon his listing of the commandments should be slow, with some stuttering and without making eye contact with Hale. When Hale says: “Theology is a fortress…” he has not been impressed by Proctors procuring of the commandments and so takes a lecturing tone which should be emphasized by him getting up from his chair, walking around it and holding its back. Then for Proctor’s response he should get up again and stand face to face with Hale to show that he will stand by his word and will not be accused. As Hale says “I pray it, I pray it dearly.” He should look Proctor up and down visibly showing his misgivings.

__Topic 4__
After watching the film adaptation of ‘The Crucible’ I noticed much dissimilarity between the play and the film. One aspect of the film that was noticeably different to me which I will focus on is the atmosphere produced. In the play Arthur Miller plunges his audience into a scene of hysteria, anger and fear without knowledge of its root. In fact Miller takes a rather alternative approach to his play by starting very strongly with a tense atmosphere which he maintains for the duration of the play, meanwhile developing the characters and unfolding the story. In the film version a more traditional approach is taken, the root of the hysteria is presented in the first scene and the tension progressively escalates from there. The structure of the story is not the sole source of difference in atmosphere, the film has many components which attribute to atmosphere that the play does not incorporate. For example the film uses violin music which really contributes to the hysterical and dark atmosphere of Salem – something the play does not include but which might be considered by the director. I found the atmosphere produced by the film was much more gripping than the play. It is unfair to compare the two though because the written play which we have studied is merely the skeleton of the play – the raw story whereas the film is the story after it has had the flesh of actors, props, music and cinematography added to it.

__Topic 5__
The abstract of the article "On the Reverend John Hale" by Robert A. Martin states that: "Reverend John Hale in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible" embodies the growing awareness of the illegality and immorality of the Salem witch trials." This means that he represents the change in the American Public's opinion of the Salem witch trials. I strongly agree with this statement as throughout the play we see clear character development of Hale from a man who seems to be in no doubt of his diagnosis of with craft and the decisions made by the judicial system in Salem. As the plot progresses Hale’s own suspicions of the trials and his persecution of witches becomes more evident until at the end of the play he actually acts upon his change in vision of the whole situation. The same attitude is paralleled in the history of the Salem Witch Trials. The attitude towards them at the time was that it was justified, which led to doubt of its rationality and finally realization and regret at its injustice. At the start of the play Hale is confident in his abilities to diagnose witchery and his persecution of witches. We see his faith in his abilities in the quote: “I mean to crush him (the Devil) utterly if he has shown his face!”. His first signs of doubt are shown when he begins to make the rounds of the accused and furthermore when he speaks with the Proctors. “I-I have indeed.” Hale responds to Proctors question regarding if Hale has considered that those that have confessed did so only for fear of hanging is evidence of his growing doubts. However he does not act upon this until he feels the situation has gone too far, after signing seventy two death warrants and he sees for his own eyes that Abigail is a liar does he state: “I denounce these proceedings. I quit this court!”.

Well done John. The best writing you have done on this course, particularly in the first two paragraphs. Your analysis of key elements in the play is thoughtful and you have a knack for explaining your opinions with great clarity and focus. I am particularly impressed with the manner in which you confidently weave quotations into your first and second paragraph – this demonstrates to the reader an enthusiasm and confidence with literary analysis and depth of thought. The middle paragraphs suffer from a lack of development, particularly topic 4 but that is a small issue  __Knowledge and Understanding -5 __  __Appreciation of Literary Features - 4__  __Interpretations of the Text - 4__ []