Deena Shakir Essay

Richard Watts Jr. describes the hit similarity between the Salem witch trials and the McCarthy Era as a agitate between the rights of freewoman and the mass efforts to destroy them under the guise of defending decency. All good writing conveys a self-coloured message for the reader to take away, and effectively apply to his everyday life.In the novel The Crucible, author Arthur miller uses 17th Puritan baseball club, and the Salem witch trials as a vehicle to carry a unanimous political statement ab off the nature of adjustity in an overly hysterical society, and the fundamental struggle man faces to retain moral righteousness in the face of a cruel world. Written in the heart of the McCarthy Era, The Crucible makes sweeping statements about the nature of society during a crisis, and how people deal with the installation of beliefs that differ from their traditional way of thought.Claiming the people of his society are just as intolerant as the Puritans, Miller desperately p leads with them to learn from their mistakes, and non persecute others based on the nature of their beliefs. Through the figment of the Salem witch trials, Miller epitomizes the never-ending conflict between an individual and society as a continuous struggle to retain iodins moral righteous, and not give in to scattered societal demands.Through the actions of the mash officials, the girls, and the Christ figures, Miller effectively points out the manner in which society persecutes those who refuse to conform in their ways of thinking, and the nature of the challenging test individuals are forced to make in such a conflict. The society in Salem also demands conformity from the flirt system, a place where those who dare to be different are tried.At least on face, it appears that the court solely wants those people who challenge society to be brought to justice. However, during the Salem witch trials, the court officials, who ironically are the one group in society who are single -handedly responsible for administering justice fairly, act simply out of self-interest, striving only to ennoble the community, and gain fame. Relaying on nothing more than spectral evidence, Danforth and the other court officials condemn those who refuse to conform to societys beliefs.Under the guise of unearthly duty, Danforth strives solely to appease the community, and benefit his standing in society. He believes that a person is either with the court or he must be counted against it. When one does not conform to the norms of society and challenges it, he is condemned to die. For example, upon discovering that John Proctor does not come to church on Sundays, he automatically assumes that Proctor must be guilty, and must be hanged. He appears motivated solely by the desire to gain fame.For example, in the final act of the head for the hills right onwards the hanging, high-minded Hale tries to convince Danforth to postpone the hanging. Danforth knows that the village expect s to see them die this break of day and cannot postpone the event because postponement now speaks a floundering on my Danforths part. Danforths actions show that he not only acts out of self motivation and the desire to appease society, but also fails the to overcame his conflict with society.Reverend John Hale, on the other hand, also appointed to work with the court during the witch trials, makes his decisions based on his own morals instead of what society prefers. Hale, an expert on witch trials and a stranger in Salem finds it difficult to draw a clear opinion on them that come accused before court. Being a minister of the Lord, Hale judges others based on clear evidence and does not dare to take a life without proof. His morals prevent him from just simply doing what will pull in to society.Even though he desires to be allied with the best minds in Europe- kings, philosophers, scientists, and ecclesiasts of all churches, he, unlike Danforth and the court officials, refuse s to let his personal ambition come in the way of administering justice fairly. He even rejects his religious doctrine in the name of justice, claiming that life life is Gods most precious make no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. Unlike Danforth and his selfish motivation, Reverend Hale refuses to conform to what society dictates, clinging on to his own moral beliefs.