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No one is really sure at this point in act one, but everyone thinks it's because she's "bewitched." In the story they never give you a sure fire answer like; Betty is in this trans because for whatever reason so its because she is said to be "bewitched"

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Q: Why is Betty likely to be in a trancelike state in The Crucible by Arthur Miller?
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What religion was use during The Crucible by Arthur Miller?

The Crucible was set in Salem, Massachusetts during the late 1600s. Considering the time period and location, though I don't think it ever officially states it, the religion active during the play would most likely be Puritanism.


Who was most likely to be named on these blacklist of the crucible?

actors, writers, musicians, screen writers.


What is the relationship between the rebellion in Andover and the flight of Abigail and Mercy Lewis in the crucible?

Well one could argue that they happened around the same time and either they went to cause it, or, a more likely answer, they went there to stifle it because they saw what had happened in Salem.


In the play The Crucible why did a witch hunt occur?

In Arthur Miller's, author of The Crucible, own words: "This play is not history in the sense in which the word is used by the academic historian. Dramatic purposes have sometimes required many characters to be fused into one; the number of girls involved in the 'crying out' has been reduced; Abigail's age has been raised; while there were several judges of almost equal authority, I have symbolized them all in Hathorne and Danforth. However, I believe that the reader will discover here the essential nature of one of the strangest and most awful chapters in human history. The fate of each character is exactly that of his historical model, and there is no one in the drama who did not play a similar-and in some cases exactly the same-role in history. "As for the characters of the persons, little is known about most of them except what may be surmised from a few letters, the trial record, certain broadsides written at the time, and references to their conduct in sources of varying reliability. They may therefore be taken as creations of my own, drawn to the best of my ability in conformity with their known behavior, except as indicated in the commentary I have written for this text." The "crying out" that Miller mentions in the above quote is the very crucible that sparks the Salem witch trials. In the play, young Abigail Williams is a seventeen year old girl in love with the plays protagonist John Proctor. Proctor, who is married and has a family spurns young Abigail's love and she conspires with her friends to create a scandal where people are accused of witchcraft, Proctor being one accused of this crime. In reality Abigail Williams was only 11 years old and unlike the 40 year old proctor of the play, at the time he was hanged John Proctor was over 60 and there was no young love spurned that ignited the horrible hysteria that has become known as the Salem witch trials. Of course, in reality, Miller was more concerned with illustrating parallels between the Salem witch hunts and his own contemporary mass hysteria in the form of the 1950's communist "witch hunts". Miller was, in deed, very close to this issue as he had found himself "blacklisted" by Hollywood producers. The communist "witch hunts" was an investigation into possible Soviet Union infiltration into the American Public through, among other things, using the movie industry as a propaganda machine for communism. Many writers, directors and actors were accused of seditious acts, considered guilty simply by suspicion and any association, what-so-ever, with the communist party or communist sympathizers. This was the driving force behind The Crucible and Arthur Miller was very close to this issue. The problem with the Crucible, unlike Millers earlier works such as All of My Sons, and Death of a Salesman, both of which serve as excellent examples of the well made play, The Crucible does not fare so well and lacks ultimately the power and force of either All My Sons and Death of a Salesman. The real problem is that by reducing the hysteria of Salem down to an event caused by a precocious young girl, Miller never gets at why either witch hunt truly began and since he has so adamantly asked that readers and viewers of the play accept there is a parallel between the two events it shouldn't be too much to ask that writer, who was quite clearly more than capable of producing a plausible reason as to why people will conspire to use the law to destroy others and offering that as the "crucible" that ignited such tragic hysteria. There is much evidence to suggest that many, including one of millers characters, John Putnam, acquired much real estate because of this hysteria. An opportunity to seize someone else's land is a far more likely motive behind ignition of such fanciful claims as witches prancing about casting spells and causing evil. In act, through out history people have used the law to usurp other peoples property. It is a fact, in both cases, that the law was used to destroy people, innocent people. This idea some how gets lost in Millers play and what is instead offered is a period soap opera, where young girls act catty, hurt wives react cruelly, and the hero is flawless in his purity. John Proctor in many ways is the complete opposite of Millers earlier patriarchs, Willie of Death of a Salesman, and Joe of All my Sons. Where Willie served as the failed patriarch, who has come to regret his own failures as a father, his own failures in life, Joe from All my Sons served as the successful patriarch who has no regrets, even when it comes to his dark and desperate skeletons in the closet that threaten to burst out at any moment. Both are tragic heroes who have come to understand their own hubris. Proctor, on the other hand, dies tragically but is in no way a classical tragic hero. The great departure from Millers earlier work, with The Crucible is not the the theme as Millers theme always seems to be the same no matter what he's written. That theme is mans responsibility to others versus mans responsibility to oneself. In Death of a Salesman, Willie Loman has spent a life of self indulgence and narcissism and as the play begins we watch Willie unravel as he comes to regret his disregard for his own family and the responsibility he had towards them. In All My Sons we do not see Joe come to regret his choice of himself over others until the very end where he is ultimately forced to accept that his act of self preservation not only hurt a multitude of others, but in the end hurt him as well. In the Crucible, however, John Proctor ignores the pleas of his wife and friends to save himself by confession and thinks only of his good name and dies heroically because of it. The play suggest that Proctors actions led to a saner Salem and the witch hunts soon died out because more and more people were refusing to confess. In reality quite the opposite was true and after John Proctor hanged the witch hunts continued for quite some time as more and more innocent people confessed to witchcraft because it was expedient to do so. While Millers The Crucible is an interesting and entertaining play its relevance to the House Committee on Un-American Activities and their reasons for being remains a mystery. It is not enough to point to an earlier historical event and draw a parallel to a current one. That parallel should inform and instruct us in some way that The Crucible ultimately fails to do. In the play the witch hunt occurs because some silly little girls danced naked in the woods with the slave woman Tituba and Abigail used this scandal as an opportunity to destroy John Proctor. In reality that never happened so what did cause the Salem witch trials? The Salem hangings most certainly happened and something caused that, just as something caused the Senate to form HCUAA and usher in the McCarthy era. Even after Miller's death he still remains one of the greatest American playwrights, even if The Crucible is somewhat overwrought in its melodrama and even more vague in its morality tale. The play or movie is well worth viewing, but don't let that be the only play you ever see written by the great Arthur Miller lest ye never know how truly great he was.


What happened to giles Corey in the Salem witch trials?

Arthur Miller's play The Crucible is centered around the mass hysteria created by accusations of witchcraft in the Puritan village of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. These accusations can be blamed on Abigail Williams' affair with John Proctor, the secret grudges that neighbors hold against each other, and the physical and economic differences between the citizens of Salem Village. Because suspicions were at an all-time high, petty accusations were made out to be witchcraft, and bad business deals were blamed on witchery. Among the grudges that help spur the resentment and hostility in the village is one between Giles Corey and Thomas Putnam, who argue about a plot of land and its ownership. Once the accusations begin, everyone has a reason to accuse someone else of witchcraft. When Putnam's daughter accuses George Jacobs of witchery, Corey quickly notices a motive and claims that Putnam only wants Jacobs' land. Additionally, even the slightest offhand remark can result in the suspicion of one working with the devil. In another example of hasty accusations, Giles Corey casually mentions that when his wife is reading, he is unable to say his prayers. However, Reverend Hale takes Giles' claims the wrong way and Martha Corey is quickly arrested and convicted for witchcraft. In Arthur Miller's haunting play The Crucible, Giles Corey often announces his feelings without considering the consequences, but redeems himself by refusing to allow the defamation of one of his friends while keeping his property and dignity intact. Giles Corey is an outspoken member of Salem Village, which can sometimes get himself and others into trouble. Giles, one could say, is infamous in the town for causing disputes and attempting to settle those disputes in court. In one instance, Giles is embedded in an argument with Thomas Putnam about land that he believes rightfully belongs to John Proctor.

Related questions

What religion was use during The Crucible by Arthur Miller?

The Crucible was set in Salem, Massachusetts during the late 1600s. Considering the time period and location, though I don't think it ever officially states it, the religion active during the play would most likely be Puritanism.


Betty is likely to be in trancelike state because?

she fears punishment for being caught dancing in the woods.


Why did John Steinbeck defend Arthur miller?

John Steinbeck defended Arthur Miller because he believed in his talent and the importance of his work as a playwright. He likely saw Miller as a fellow artist whose freedom of expression should be protected against attacks or criticism. Steinbeck may have also admired Miller's social commentary and contribution to American literature.


Who was most likely to be named on these blacklist of the crucible?

actors, writers, musicians, screen writers.


When was Ruth putnam from salem witch trials born?

Never! Ruth Putnam only exists in the Crucible, which is not based entirely in fact. Mostly likely Miller renamed Ann Putnam jr Ruth Putnam so she would not be confused with her mother, also named Ann.


What will Arthur most likely do after he sits in wet paint?

Arthur will most likely stand up and can't believe he actually sat in wet paint/


Why should a hot crucible NOT be set on a bare lab bench?

It might damage the bench, but it is far more likely that a crucible on a lab bench and not on the ring or the asbestos pad will be mistaken by someone, possible someone other than the immediate experimenter, for a cold crucible and picked up to a detrimental effect.


Is Wendell Miller Roger Miller's brother?

most of the time if they have the same last name they are more than likely to be siblings so there is a possible chance he is


How much does the miller weight in Canterbury Tales?

In "The Canterbury Tales," the Miller is described as a large and brawny man, so he would likely have a weight that corresponds to his size and strength. Chaucer does not provide an exact weight for the Miller in the text.


Where can one find more information about Karen Miller coats?

One can find more information about Karen Miller coats on a range of sites that sell Karen Miller coats as they will most likely have reviews and descriptions about the coats to see what tailors to your needs.


What events strongly affected Miller's father and likely influenced Miller's work as a playwright?

Miller's father lost his business in the Great Depression and failed to recover financially, which may have influenced Miller's focus on the struggles of the American working class in his plays. Additionally, Miller's father's desire for Miller to become successful in a more traditional profession like law may have fueled Miller's rebellion and pursuit of a career in theater.


Were arthur and guinevere real prople?

There are historical records of an Arthur and a Guinevere, but it is unclear if they actually existed as they are portrayed in legend. The stories of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere are likely a mix of folklore, myth, and historical accounts that have been embellished over time.