Laura

__**Use of Stage Directions in Act 1 of "The Crucible"**__
==== The stage directions in Act 1 are used as an introduction and a revelation to the characters' outer and inner appearances. For example, when we are introduced to Abigail Williams on page 8, we are told she is “a strikingly beautiful girl, an orphan, with an endless capacity for dissembling” (p.8) Abigail's beauty is of great importance to her outward appearance, because most people suspect beautiful people to be kind, innocent and gentle. This beautiful orphan's first impressions on the reader are that of kindness and innocence, and the reader takes pity on her fragile and damaged self. However her “endless capacity for dissembling” makes the reader aware that her innocent and truthful appearance might just be a veil to cover up her true colours. This theory is confirmed when her uncle, Reverend Parris, begins to question her on her and Betty's actions in the forest. As her uncle argues with her, Abigail “lowers her eyes”(p.10) on numerous occasions. This lowering of the eyes established a sense of guilt within Abigail, showing the reader that she might not be as truthful and innocent as we may think. Abigail's true inner appearance is revealed further is on page 18, where Abigail attempts to awaken Betty from her dormant state. We are told that Abigail attempts to awaken Betty by sitting Betty up and furiously shaking her (p.18). At one point she even goes to far as to “Smash Betty across the face” (p.18) in an attempt to shut her up, and “roughly sits her up”. The uses of the words “furiously”, “smash” and “roughly” in the stage directions opposes with Abigail's beautiful and innocent outward appearance. These words also show a more intense and violent side to Abigail, as opposed to the sweet and innocent orphan we thought she was at the beginning of the play. You are only talking about Abigail here...not 'characters' ====

**__ ﻿Catalysts in the Crucible __** ﻿ There are a fair number of catalysts in The Crucible, yet the most dominant catalyst seems to be John Proctor's rejection of Abigail, which leads to a sense of hysteria throughout the play. When we are first introduced to John Proctor, we are aware of the flirtatious air that surrounds himself and Abigail in the beginnings of their conversation. Our suspicions of a relationship between the two are heightened when Abigail tells him that she has been waiting for him every night (pg. 21), we are certain that there was chemistry between the two protagonists. However, we can see by the way that Proctor acts by the end of the conversation, that he no longer desires a relationship with Abigail, and tells her so many times: “Abby I never gave you hope to wait for me” (pg.21). This dismissal from Proctor sends Abigail into a fit of hysteria, in which she blames Elizabeth Proctor for practically everything. This Grudge towards Elizabeth is what brings the sense of the supernatural to the small town of Salem. Abigail's distaste for Elizabeth is so fierce that she goes to far as to attempt to end her life with witchcraft: “you drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!” (pg. 18). This is the first act of witchcraft we distinguish in the play. After this event, the distress is further pushed due to Abigail's actions of accusing other women of witchcraft: “I saw Sarah Good with the devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the devil!” (pg.45) As we can see, Abigail's rejection leads to the use of witchcraft, which continues and developes throughout the entire play till the end. **__ Directing a Section of the Play __** Between the pages 20 to 21, Proctor and Abigail converse in a slightly flirtatious manner. This passage gives us insight on their relationship, and how one feels about the other. We are made aware of Abigail's lust for Proctor, as well as Proctor's remorse for his past actions towards Abigail, and of the slight desire that may still remain. As the passage begins, we see Proctor entering the room, cutting short Abigail's violent exchange with Mary, Mercy and Betty. As Proctor enters, I would have Abigail straighten up and stare at him. Mercy and Mary would both exit as they originally would. After they had both exited, I would have Proctor and Abigail stare at each other in silence for about 30 seconds. Then Abigail, not breaking eye contact, a hint of lust in her voice would say “I almost forgot how strong you are Proctor” a playful smile on her lips. Glancing quickly at Betty, then regaining eye contact with Abigail, Proctor would ask in a playful tone, “What is this mischief here?” Abigail would reply with a nervous laugh, which would imply the slight sexual tension between the two. Proctor would then break eye contact and walk towards where Betty is lying, while speaking of the town mumbling witchcraft, then would lay a hand on Betty's forehead. Abigail, slightly displeased that the attention has flown away from herself, attempts to regain Proctor's attention by telling him of them dancing in the woods the night before, with a slightly mischievous tone, a wicked smile on her lips. Proctor, hearing this, stands up and looks at her, a wide smile on his lips. Then in a slightly flirtatious tone, he would accuse her of being “wicked yet”. Abigail takes this as a sign and, as Proctor starts towards the door, springs into his path, quite close to him. Then, I would have Abigail lean towards his ear and whisper “Give me a word John. A soft word”. Proctor, aware of what is progressing, starts to frown a little while taking a step to the side while replying to her. Abigail would step to the side as well, taunting him with her words. This is when Proctor would grab her shoulders and move her out of the way, telling her sternly that he came to see what mischief her uncle was brewing, and to put it out of her mind. This would be the transition from the flirtatious Proctor to the serious Proctor who attempts to get away from Abigail's teasing air. __** Key Themes in "The Crucible" **__ The desire to protect one's reputation is a tremendously important theme in “The Crucible”, that appears again and again throughout the play. This theme is first implied through Parris at the beginning of the play. In Act 1, as he is speaking with Abigail of her dancing in the forest, he mentions more than once his enemies ruining him because of what she did: “ For surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me for it” (pg.10). This sentence portrays his need to maintain his reputation in his small town of Salem. Many times in Act 1 he speaks of his enemies and how they would tarnish his name. Even when he speaks to Abigail of saving his daughter’s life, he puts forth the fact that his ministry is at stake, before his daughter: “And I pray you feel the weight of truth upon you, for now my ministry's at stake, my ministry and your cousin's life” (pg.11). This portrays his constant need for his reputation to be clean, and how he deems it more important than even his daughter. John Proctor also seeks to keep his good name from being tarnished. Early in the play, he has a chance to put a stop to the girls’ accusations, but his desire to preserve his reputation keeps him from testifying against Abigail. Proctor knows that what Abigail says about the other women having anything to do with witchcraft isn't true, but his need to keep his reputation keeps him from telling anyone. He is afraid that he would be accused of lying, and therefore does not want to blacken his reputation, even though he knows it is the right thing to do. This desire to keep ones reputation continues throughout the entire play, and we are able to see the lengths one will go to to protect that reputation.

**__ Relevance in the Crucible __** I feel that the Crucible is relevant to contemporary society, especially in it's portrayal of human nature. I am able to see a li nk between the theme of reputation in contemporary society, and am even able to see some aspects of this theme in myself. In the Crucible, reputation is important to everyone. I also see this in myself. After reading the Crucible, I was able to realize how I view myself and how I wish for others to view me. Another theme that I find relevant is the fear of the unknown. In the Crucible, everyone in the town of Salem fears witches, and accuse innocent people of taking sides with the Devil. This fear of the unknown, along with stereotypical accusations is similar to racism in the world. People fear that which is different, and accuse innocent people of being criminals, just because they are different. This, even today, is an issue that is constantly having to be dealt with. So, as we can see, the Crucible is extremely relevant to contemporary society, and human nature. S

ome interesting points here and you clearly understand the themes and ideas at the start of the play. However, your paragraphs needed examples from further through the play so that you could track themes and ideas rather than just focusing on the opening. Your opening paragraph is solely discussing Abigail rather than 'characters' as you state and your final paragraph lacks real reference and support examples. K&U - 3 Interpretation - 3 Lit Features - 3