The Crucible

The Crucible

“All literature shows us the power of emotion. It is emotion, not reason, that motivates character in literature” was once said my Duff Brenna. Reason may be what helps us make everyday decisions but in literature there may be certain situations that your emotions take over and they are what help us make our decisions. In the play, The Crucible written by Arthur Miller, Elizabeth Proctor proves that quote true. She struggles through multiple problems with her husband John Proctor and Abigail Williams. Ones feelings can always over power ones reason in a stressful situation.

Elizabeth Proctor has never told a lie. “Cannot lie” said John Proctor about his wife Elizabeth. She is aware that Abigail Williams had an affair with her John Proctor. Danforth comes to the Proctors house to question John Proctor about his affair with Abigail. Proctor had already confessed the relations he had with her. Danforth suddenly asks Elizabeth if John had an affair, she said “no sir”. Elizabeth said her first lie. She chooses to lie to protect her husband and her reputation. She goes against her viewpoint and what she thinks is right, because of her thoughts about her husband and their relationship were so strong. Irony plays a strong role in this part of the story; Bhatia said “Irony is skillfully used in each successive scene of the play until the tragic tension mounts to its climax in Act III.” This shows the magnitude and complexity of Elizabeth Proctors lifestyle and issues she is having with her husband. It is ironic since Elizabeth had actually lied. Elizabeths feelings about her relationship is what made her decision to lie, even though in the past she didn’t choose to lie.

After her whole life not telling a lie she finally does and it is acknowledged as the truth. In the play characterization is also used a large amount and you learn all about Elizabeth Proctor. Once she says a lie everyone believes her and don’t even think that she is lying. In this part of the play...

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