Week 6 Term 2 Homework

Is John Proctor a hero or not? We have debated this in class. Now choose the most effective point in the argument for or against and write a paragraph on this point with a really effective topic sentence and evidence from the play in support. Include at least one correctly punctuated quotation. Post to your blog for tomorrow’s lesson.

I believe John Proctor is a tragic hero because he meets the principle expectations of what a typical hero should require. A typical hero is one who is admired for courage or noble qualities. Courage is one of the main qualities that makes Proctor's character unique. An example of this is when he stands in front of the entire court, trying to prove Abigail Williams a 'whore' and a liar by confessing his sin of adultery with Abigail to Judge Danforth, "I have known her, sir. I have known her." In order to validity his point, he says to Danforth, "A man will not cast away his good name. You surely know that." However, Proctor specifically makes a tragic hero. A tragic hero, according to Aristotle, must have two main qualities: First, he must be noble, above the norm in intelligence, bravery, charisma, or success; secondly, however, he must also possess a tragic flaw which causes his ultimate downfall. Proctor is all of the qualities above; He is noble, beyond brave and successful in is own way. He also possesses a tragic flaw. Another definition of a tragic hero that matches Proctor's character is that the inner struggle of hiss flaw eventually ends in the defeat of the hero, hence his death. Proctor is noble throughout the whole play because behind his every action were meaningful reasons. Although he committed adultery with Abigail, he realises this was wrong and chose to change, never daring to repeat the mistake. When the whole town believes in witchcraft and is suspicious of Proctor, his morals and beliefs does not falter, even if it meant death. At first, Proctor wanted to confess to a lie in order to survive. However, he only considered this because he felt as though he did not deserve to sacrifice his life for the truth, "I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man." He feels as though he owes his life to God for committing such a crime and is certain that he can no longer be a honest man, "I'd have you see some honesty in it. Let them that never lied die now to keep their souls. It is pretence for me, a vanity that will not blind God nor keep my children out of the wind." Proctor's decision to choose self-sacrifice shines through the characteristics of a hero by allowing him to keep his soul and goodness in him and at the same time, serve justice to his community, inspiring others to stand up for what they truly believe in. John Proctor becomes a tragic hero because despite his flawed character, deep down Proctor is a righteous man of courage who sacrificed his life for ethics and justice.

Term 2 Week 5 Homework

Term 2 Week 5 Homework

Why do you think John Proctor decides to confess? Why does he change his mind? Give evidence for both your answers. Post on your blog before Friday's lesson. 

 

I think John Proctor decides to confess because he feels that he is not worthy to stand up for the truth after what he has been through with Abigail, "I'd have you seem some honesty in it. Let them that never lied die now to keep their souls. It is pretence for me, a vanity that will not blind God nor keep my children out of the wind." He strongly believes that his sin was so sinister that he will never be able to forgive himself and doesn't deserve in having the right to die for something virtuous. John thinks he should live his life with the sin and be punished from it, even if it meant lying a confession to God.

However, Proctor decides to change his mind and eventually speaks his truth because he realises that he will not be able to endure the pain of another heavy lie, especially in front of God for his entire life. Proctor also values his morals, his soul and his name over his life, "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" He also says, "God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!"

The Crucible: Term 2 Week 4 Homework 2

Re-read the final scene between John and Elizabeth. Elizabeth refuses to advise her husband but she clearly has a point of view on his situation. In her heart, what does want him to do? What would she say to him if she could? Post to your blog before Monday's lesson. 

Deep down in Elizabeth's heart, she wants John to confess that he has seen the Devil in order to prevent him from getting hanged. However, she knows that if her husband were to confess, he would be confessing to lies. Elizabeth undoubtedly wants her husband to live but if it meant that it would scar his entire life, his name and self morals for confessing such a lie, she understands and respects John's final decision if he ends up choosing dying for the truth. This is proven in the final scene with Elizabeth and John together, she says, "Do what you will. But let none be your judge. There be no higher judge under Heaven than Proctor is! Forgive me, forgive me, John - I never knew such goodness in the world!"

If Elizabeth could talk to John right before his execution, she would say, "John, my dear. God knows you are a righteous man. I will let the children know you died for justice. They will respect you as a loving father forever. You listen to me, John, I have always known you are a good man. I have always loved you. I know you will be always be with us, I will pray for you! John, you listen to me, I will see you soon in Heaven, dearest. You wait for me. God bless you!" 

The Crucible: Term 2 Week 4 Homework

Read Danforth's speech to Elizabeth at the top of page 116. It begins "Goody Proctor, you are not summoned here for disputation." Danforth has asked Elizabeth to speak to John to try to get him to admit his guilt. Elizabeth does speak to John but she does not reply to Danforth. Construct a response to Danforth. What do you think she might have wanted to say to him in response to his accusation that she is "stone"? Make your response as long as Danforth's speech. Due Friday. Post on your blog.

 
DANFORTH: (going to her) Goody Proctor, you are not summoned here for disputation. Be there no wifely tenderness within you? He will die with the sunrise. Your husband. Do you understand it? She only looks at him. What say you? Will you contend with him? She is silent. Are you stone? I tell you true, woman, had I no other proof of your unnatural life, your dry eyes now would be sufficient evidence that you delivered up your soul to
Hell! A very ape would weep at such calamity! Have the devil dried up any tear of pity in you? She is silent. Take her out. It profit nothing she should speak to him!

ELIZABETH: Of course I understand it! I am offended that you called me stone, your Excellency. I love my husband completely and I am terrified that he is to be hanged. I am only silent because I feel there is no hope in this cold, heartless world anymore. No mater how much I try to prove the innocence of my man, I dare say, your Excellency, that there is no point. I am trying to be brave for my husband. I do not want to worry him even further than he already he is. There is no Devil connected to John, your Excellency. I plead you to spare his life this one time. As his dear wife, I swear to my own life and God that this man has nothing to do with the Devil. I love him completely and utterly and I trust he has no deed with the Devil. Please, your Excellency! Please spare his dear soul!

The Crucible Act 1 Homework 2

What attitude does Arthur Miller take to the belief in the devil/evil spirits? Write a paragraph response using quotations in support of your explanation.

The attitude Arthur Miller takes to the belief in the devil/evil spirits is that having society being led to recognise the existence of the devil/evil spirits is not absolute nonsense. Miller uses Reverend Hale to portray this in The Crucible by stating, "The Devil is a wily one, and, until an hour before he fell, even God thought him beautiful in Heaven." As religion and God was a highly respected matter in the times of The Crucible, it takes upon a powerful affect when Reverend Hale tells John Proctor, who was in no doubt against the belief of the Devil, that even the almighty whom their entire society had faith in had fallen for the trap of the Devil. Furthermore, Miller also believes that, "the necessity of the Devil may become evident as a weapon, a weapon designed and used time and time again in every age to whip men into a surrender to a particular church or a church-state." Abigail Williams is a character who conveys this message heavily in the play. Abigail uses the Devil as a weapon against any person that she despises even if she, herself, knows that she did not interact with the Devil. She uses her power and the society's trust in her to abuse innocent people such as John Proctor's wife, Elizabeth. Miller's attitude towards the devil is that it is easy to believe in it due to tempting and seemingly reasonable perspectives that is imprinted in the society's morals.