Crucible Paradox Essay PDF

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How does the exploration of contradiction and doubt in The Crucible challenge your understanding of the human experience? The ability for one to experience doubt and witness explicit contradictions enables a deeper understanding on the flaw present within the human condition, further challenging the audience’s perception of the human experience. This is explored through Arthur Miller’s play “The Crucible” (1952) as it expounds on the effects of Hale doubting the ideologies and procedures within the political system and the contradictions within the theocratic society that enables Proctor to shed light on the corruption evident within those in power. Through various contradictions and doubts, we are encouraged to attain a complete human experience – to expose humanities flaws through doubt and to explore the realities of contradiction in human behaviour and social structures. Miller’s play offers a scathing criticism of the corruption within political figures, employing the 1600s theocratic political system in Salem as context. The binding authority of the church imposed ‘completeness of a delusion’ in which promoted the unlawful witch hunt, creating doubt in characters such as Reverend Hale. Initially, Hale ‘appears loaded down with half a dozen heavy books. The stage directions draw focus to Hale’s moral duty towards the ‘heavy books’ as props which are later described to be ‘weighted with authority’. However, it is not until Hale attains fragments of the truth through his doubt as he is able to selfsacrifice his spiritual teachings, “I come to do the Devil’s work… There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head?!”. The extended metaphor and contradiction between the ‘books’ and ‘blood’ that weighs on his conscience conveys his doubt concerning the unjust verdicts of the court. Therefore, we are able to recognise the necessity for doubt in divulging the truth within society, in order to attain a genuine human experience. Miller’s play sheds a light on an individual’s ability to doubt and expose the contradictory flaws of the collective as this reflects his experiences of false accusation in 20th century communism. This is exemplified as Elizabeth exposes the blindness of the collective to the truth, “Abigail brings the other girls into the court…[and] the crowd will part like the sea of Israel”. The use of the biblical allusion of Abigail embodying Moses in “part like the sea of Israel” juxtaposes with the dramatic irony of her sinful and wicked actions. This notion is supported by Mary Warren’s doubt in Abigail’s integrity, “Ask Abby, Abby sat beside me when I made it”. The use of repetition with “Abby” emphasises her disbelief in the accusation made against her, resulting in her doubting Abigail’s contradictory ‘truth’. Proctor questions the believability of those accusing rather than those being accused, “Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, or Abigail? Is the accuser always holy now?”. The use of his ambiguous tone emphasises his doubt in Abigail’s ‘innocence’ as he connotes her guilt and exposes the paradox of presuming guilt till proven innocent. This is further reinforced with the use of the rhetorical

question of “is the accuser always holy now?” exposes the contradictory ideology of always being in the right when representing a theocratical society. Thus, we are able to understand the significance in doubting the collective ideologies as perceptions change with being the accused rather than accusing. Miller’s play exposes the contradictions present in his 20th century American society, due to being encouraged to fuel accusations against suspected ‘communists’ infiltrating the political system. This is foiled through the character of John Proctor as he challenges the inconsistencies of verdicts within the Salem court, as one must plead guilty in order to achieve innocence, “Because I lie and sign myself to lies…I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” Proctor metaphorically equates lying to giving away his soul, revealing the power of false lights in promoting injustice. The further use of a semicolon creates a dramatic pause thus emphasises his frustration towards the inconsistencies within his corrupt society. This is further reinforced by the stage directions, ‘With a cry of his soul’ as his emotions of frustration reflect the importance of his reputation as he must sign guilt to be proven innocent. This contradictory system instils doubt within the audience, as we become inspired to question the ‘false lights’ promoted by figureheads within society. Hence, Miller’s play ‘The Crucible...