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Art of Smart the Crucible Analysed Textual Examples and Band 6 Paragraph

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21 views3 pages

Art of Smart the Crucible Analysed Textual Examples and Band 6 Paragraph

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mya
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Analysed Textual

Examples
Technique Example Effect

1. Heightened “[Mary Warren] and The heightened emotion which is created by these
emotion all the girls run to stage directions demonstrates how easily humans
2. Synecdoche of one wall, shielding can be manipulated into conforming to the hysteria
‘eyes’ their eyes . . . they of a crowd, or ‘mob psychology’, and ultimately
let out a gigantic give up their individuality easily by being unwilling
scream.” to look at hard truths.

The synecdoche of ‘eyes’ shows that the girls can’t


see the truth and are not thinking for themselves.
The girls are making a conscious choice to not see
things critically, instead choosing to think how
everyone else is thinking and therefore give up
their individuality.

1. Dramatic irony [Mary Warren to The dramatic irony that we as the audience know
2. Simile John Proctor about that Goody Osburn is not a witch makes Mary
Goody Osburn] Warren’s claim that the proof is “hard as a rock”
“It’s hard proof, appear absurd. It is clear that rather than valuing
hard as a rock, the true proof and thinking critically for herself, Mary
judges said.” has conformed to the mass perception created by
what “the judges said.”

Symbolism [John Proctor] John Proctor’s name symbolises his individuality


“Because it is my which is intrinsic to him. Despite the conformity of
name!” the majority of the characters in The Crucible,
John Proctor credits himself with individuality and
critical thought. He refuses to sign his name as
that would contradict his core principles of truth
and honesty. Thus, Miller uses The Crucible to
argue for the importance of individuality, and to
show the moral descent that occurs when people
conform without thinking for themselves.

© Art of Smart Education, 2020 www.artofsmart.com.au


The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Sample Band 6
Paragraph
The Crucible satirises the conformity of the masses, suggesting that retaining
individuality is a moral good. The famous ‘bird scene’ in The Crucible is a searing
condemnation of mob psychology, allegorically comparing the finger-pointers of the
McCarthy era with vindictive teenage girls. Stage directions tell us “[Mary Warren] and
all the girls run to one wall, shielding their eyes . . . they let out a gigantic scream.” The
heightened emotion which is created by these stage directions demonstrates how easily
humans can be manipulated into conforming to the hysteria of a crowd. Furthermore,
the false accusation made by characters points towards their neighbours indicates their
lack of individuality. Marry Warren tells John Proctor that Goody Osburn is a witch,
stating, “It's hard proof, hard as a rock, the judges said.” The dramatic irony that we as
the audience know that Goody Osburn is not a witch makes Mary Warren’s claim that
the proof is “hard as a rock” appear absurd. It is clear that rather than valuing true proof
and thinking critically for herself, Mary has conformed to the mass perception created by
what “the judges said.” Despite the conformity of the majority of the characters in The
Crucible, John Proctor credits himself with individuality and critical thought. When
Danforth questions why John will not sign his name confessing that the devil came to
him, he answers, “Because it is my name!” His name symbolises his individuality - what
is most intrinsic to him. He thus refuses to sign his name as that would contradict his
core principles of truth and honesty. Thus Miller uses The Crucible to argue for the
importance of individuality, and to show the moral descent that occurs when people
conform without thinking for themselves.

© Art of Smart Education, 2020 www.artofsmart.com.au


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