The crucible
Po Yi Mui
Ms. May
October 1, 2016
5B
Ms. May
October 1, 2016
5B
THe irony of salem's bloodshed
Beautiful symphonies composed by Beethoven were nothing but spots on a music sheet; the invention of gunpowder was inadvertent, the Chinese thought they had invented an elixir for eternal life; the Bill of Rights revoked the right to slave, yet the US Supreme court preserved the rights for slave owners to enslave people with the 5th amendment. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible takes place in spring of Salem 1692, when chaos broke loose due to the jealousy of a girl, and fueled by fear and distrust of villagers. Miller’s story displayed the ironic events where ministers and villagers try to cleanse their village from Satan’s marks. Whether they succeeded or not can be seen from the liars and selfish humans left in Salem.
When Reverend Hale asked her why she was “seven month out of their house, and in all this time no other family has ever called for her service” (Act 1), Abigail Williams becomes the epitome of a hypocrite. She defended herself by claiming Elizabeth Proctor was a gossiping liar that hates her, but proceeded to make dishonest comments about other people that she dislikes. Even after her conversation with John Proctor (Act 1), Abigail is still not willing to acknowledge their impossible relationship; hence setting her mind to vengeance. As the story continues, Abigail’s actions placed her at even lower grounds than the people that she ridicules, as she accused numerous villagers of witchcraft simply because she disfavors them. “Envy is a deadly sin, Mary” (Act 3), possibly the most ironic line in the whole story. The entire event was elicited because of Abigail’s envy for Elizabeth Proctor. Her various accusations of villagers sending spirits to daunt, threaten and hurt her is juxtaposed with her own actions. Her words are the only things that haunt and kill, and they are not any less evil than the Devil’s spirits.
When Reverend Hale asked her why she was “seven month out of their house, and in all this time no other family has ever called for her service” (Act 1), Abigail Williams becomes the epitome of a hypocrite. She defended herself by claiming Elizabeth Proctor was a gossiping liar that hates her, but proceeded to make dishonest comments about other people that she dislikes. Even after her conversation with John Proctor (Act 1), Abigail is still not willing to acknowledge their impossible relationship; hence setting her mind to vengeance. As the story continues, Abigail’s actions placed her at even lower grounds than the people that she ridicules, as she accused numerous villagers of witchcraft simply because she disfavors them. “Envy is a deadly sin, Mary” (Act 3), possibly the most ironic line in the whole story. The entire event was elicited because of Abigail’s envy for Elizabeth Proctor. Her various accusations of villagers sending spirits to daunt, threaten and hurt her is juxtaposed with her own actions. Her words are the only things that haunt and kill, and they are not any less evil than the Devil’s spirits.
On the other hand, John Proctor was ironically unable to identify his sin that he committed when Reverend Hale visited his house (Act 2) despite Elizabeth’s constant reminders of his sin, implying that Elizabeth is not able to live with his dishonesty. However, the single crucial time when John Proctor needed Elizabeth Proctor to hold her grudge and tell the truth, Elizabeth decides to let it go and absolve her husband from possible punishment and shame. Although the lie was well-intentioned, what Elizabeth hoped to be the answer that would rescue her husband, ultimately caused his death.
The Reverends also carried Miller’s message of irony. They claimed that the Devil is unable to corrupt a minister, but Reverend Parris’s behavior proves otherwise. At the start of Act 1, Reverend Parris seemed more concerned about his reputation than his sick daughter. It is also mentioned in Act 2 he has sins such as greed and anger.
Reverend Danforth said “Proctor, you mistake me; I am not empowered to trade your life for a lie.” (Act 4) This is especially ironic since he has the person’s life in the palm of his hand, and would take people’s life unless they subsided to the lie that he wished to hear.
The Reverends said that they were only carrying out God’s work, and they were not leaving until the Devil is completely erased from Salem. However, he unknowingly acts as the right hand for the Devil more than God. Even Reverend Hale, a lower ranked minister, understood that “Life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it” (Act 4). However, the higher positions of the church fail understand; although they were supposed to be wiser with God’s light. The “God’s work” they’re doing is only spreading injustice and the Devil’s ideals- distrust and bloodshed and casting their ever-lasting shadows upon Salem.
Miller’s story showcased a brilliant exhibition of the irony that still applies to current times. Reverend Hale once mentioned Danforth’s way of forcing confession would only encourage the accused to lie so they may keep their life. Modern day accusers manipulate their questions so those who are not willing to submit to deception and falsehood are eventually punished for doing the right thing. Self-proclaimed “saints”, no matter in religious or political, seem to accept only the answers they wish to receive. They preach their beliefs louder than thunder and wave their flags of justice in triumph, all while trampling on those who truly act as they should.
Reverend Danforth said “Proctor, you mistake me; I am not empowered to trade your life for a lie.” (Act 4) This is especially ironic since he has the person’s life in the palm of his hand, and would take people’s life unless they subsided to the lie that he wished to hear.
The Reverends said that they were only carrying out God’s work, and they were not leaving until the Devil is completely erased from Salem. However, he unknowingly acts as the right hand for the Devil more than God. Even Reverend Hale, a lower ranked minister, understood that “Life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it” (Act 4). However, the higher positions of the church fail understand; although they were supposed to be wiser with God’s light. The “God’s work” they’re doing is only spreading injustice and the Devil’s ideals- distrust and bloodshed and casting their ever-lasting shadows upon Salem.
Miller’s story showcased a brilliant exhibition of the irony that still applies to current times. Reverend Hale once mentioned Danforth’s way of forcing confession would only encourage the accused to lie so they may keep their life. Modern day accusers manipulate their questions so those who are not willing to submit to deception and falsehood are eventually punished for doing the right thing. Self-proclaimed “saints”, no matter in religious or political, seem to accept only the answers they wish to receive. They preach their beliefs louder than thunder and wave their flags of justice in triumph, all while trampling on those who truly act as they should.
for freedom
In The Invention of Wings, author Sue Monk Kidd shows a lesser known side of slavery and the struggle for feminist’s rights in nineteenth century Southern America. Kidd sheds light on the story of two girls’ intertwined lives and their way to freedom. The story demonstrates both girls’ fight to escape from bondage of spirit and body.
The book starts with the old African folktale about wings. “She say they flew over trees and clouds. She say they flew like blackbirds. When we came here, we left that magic behind.” (3) It introduced that wings were an analogy for freedom. Hetty “Handful” Grimke was born into slavery, so she had her wings stripped away from her before she was born in the cruel, harsh world awaiting.
On the other hand, Sarah Grimke, daughter to a slave-owning family, has her wings, although they aren’t mature enough to fly. Sarah’s not a conventional girl of her time. A traumatic event with slave-cruelty from scarred and sculpted her to become a well-known abolitionist. Knowledge builds the basis of Sarah’s wings; her passion for education and dream of becoming a lawyer act as fuel. When Handful became Sarah’s slave on her eleventh birthday, she realized it was her chance to show her wings and protest against slavery. Yet, her pleads to return Handful and the letter were brutally declined. After understanding that there was no way to free Handful, Sarah taught Handful how to read and write, as Kofi Annan once said, “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family”. According to PBS, slave owners fear that there would be uproar of dissatisfaction with slaves if they became literate (PBS); hence, it was illegal to teach a black person to read or write. Nevertheless, Sarah came to the conclusion that if she couldn’t set Handful free physically, she would set her mind free with the power of knowledge. However, Sarah’s rebellion caused the materials that help build her wings to be ripped away from her.
The book starts with the old African folktale about wings. “She say they flew over trees and clouds. She say they flew like blackbirds. When we came here, we left that magic behind.” (3) It introduced that wings were an analogy for freedom. Hetty “Handful” Grimke was born into slavery, so she had her wings stripped away from her before she was born in the cruel, harsh world awaiting.
On the other hand, Sarah Grimke, daughter to a slave-owning family, has her wings, although they aren’t mature enough to fly. Sarah’s not a conventional girl of her time. A traumatic event with slave-cruelty from scarred and sculpted her to become a well-known abolitionist. Knowledge builds the basis of Sarah’s wings; her passion for education and dream of becoming a lawyer act as fuel. When Handful became Sarah’s slave on her eleventh birthday, she realized it was her chance to show her wings and protest against slavery. Yet, her pleads to return Handful and the letter were brutally declined. After understanding that there was no way to free Handful, Sarah taught Handful how to read and write, as Kofi Annan once said, “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family”. According to PBS, slave owners fear that there would be uproar of dissatisfaction with slaves if they became literate (PBS); hence, it was illegal to teach a black person to read or write. Nevertheless, Sarah came to the conclusion that if she couldn’t set Handful free physically, she would set her mind free with the power of knowledge. However, Sarah’s rebellion caused the materials that help build her wings to be ripped away from her.
With the help of Sarah, Mr. Denmark’s courageous legend, the appearance of Sky and the death of Charlotte all contributed to Handful’s motivation to retrieve her wings. Charlotte‘s discordant actions when she was alive were always trying to prove that she still has something left of her wings, even if it were just a stub; her zealot-like behavior may have cast trouble upon herself, but it inspired Handful to seek freedom. Handful’s failed attempts of rising against authority may have ruined her leg, but that didn’t affect her will to complete her dream for freedom. If she can’t grow the wings, she’ll make them herself.
“It was a shock to feel the water hold me. To lie in the sea while upstairs my father lay dying.” (183) Water is a symbolism of release in the book. After her father’s death, Sarah converted to the Quaker religion; a religion that believes that all humans, male or female, black or white, are all equal and no less closer to God.(B.A. Robinson) It showed that she has started recovering from her scars, and she is determined to get her wings back as well. Sarah has been taken lightly because she was a women since she was a child, oppressed on multiple occasions because her opinions don’t matter as much, according to the male-dominated society. Nonetheless, Sarah’s objectives are not much different from her childhood goals, to strive for gender and racial equality. Nina’s support plays a huge role in Sarah’s journey on regaining her wings. Nina helps Sarah keep her stance in different arguments and conflicts, as well as offering guidance when Sarah’s lost about what her stance is. Sarah’s battles for freedom were not only for herself, but also for her friend- Handful, and for all females, no matter what the color of their skin is.
“It was a shock to feel the water hold me. To lie in the sea while upstairs my father lay dying.” (183) Water is a symbolism of release in the book. After her father’s death, Sarah converted to the Quaker religion; a religion that believes that all humans, male or female, black or white, are all equal and no less closer to God.(B.A. Robinson) It showed that she has started recovering from her scars, and she is determined to get her wings back as well. Sarah has been taken lightly because she was a women since she was a child, oppressed on multiple occasions because her opinions don’t matter as much, according to the male-dominated society. Nonetheless, Sarah’s objectives are not much different from her childhood goals, to strive for gender and racial equality. Nina’s support plays a huge role in Sarah’s journey on regaining her wings. Nina helps Sarah keep her stance in different arguments and conflicts, as well as offering guidance when Sarah’s lost about what her stance is. Sarah’s battles for freedom were not only for herself, but also for her friend- Handful, and for all females, no matter what the color of their skin is.
Kidd painted a beautiful sisterly relationship between Handful and Sky. They share a common dream for freedom; despite their lack of time spent together. Nonetheless, nothing stopped them from supporting each other. While Sarah was retrieving her wings, Handful hadn’t slowed down the construction for her wings either; Sky’s support and reliance on her only encouraged Handful to chase after her dream with even more dedication. It’s mentioned that Handful enjoys looking out at the harbor at the start of the book, symbolizing her yearning for release from slavery. Sarah’s one last push to launch Handful into the air was all that was needed to complete Handful’s invention of wings. “We rode into the shining water, into the far distance.” (359) affirms that she spread her invention and flew over the sea of release.
“My body may be a slave, but not my mind. For you, it’s the opposite.” (201) Kidd used the story of Sarah and Handful to display the hardships these two inspiring women strived for, and empowered many of those who are seeking for their wings of liberty. Freedom is taken for granted so easily in modern society that we forget how much blood and tears were shed to provide us with the rights we have now. The Invention of Wings reminds people to declare our independence with our own wings, and appreciate the hard-earned freedom that’s more precious than anything.
“My body may be a slave, but not my mind. For you, it’s the opposite.” (201) Kidd used the story of Sarah and Handful to display the hardships these two inspiring women strived for, and empowered many of those who are seeking for their wings of liberty. Freedom is taken for granted so easily in modern society that we forget how much blood and tears were shed to provide us with the rights we have now. The Invention of Wings reminds people to declare our independence with our own wings, and appreciate the hard-earned freedom that’s more precious than anything.
Sources:
B.A, Robinson. “Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Quaker History.” Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, 7 Feb, 2006. http://www.religioustolerance.org/quaker1.htm
Kidd, Sue Monk. The Invention of Wings. Penguin Books, 2014.
Simkin, John. “Education of Slaves.” Spartacus Educational, Spartacus Educational, Jan. 2015, http://spartacus-educational.com/usaseducation.htm.
“The Slave Experience: Education, Arts & Culture.” PBS, PBS, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/education/docs1.html.
B.A, Robinson. “Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Quaker History.” Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, 7 Feb, 2006. http://www.religioustolerance.org/quaker1.htm
Kidd, Sue Monk. The Invention of Wings. Penguin Books, 2014.
Simkin, John. “Education of Slaves.” Spartacus Educational, Spartacus Educational, Jan. 2015, http://spartacus-educational.com/usaseducation.htm.
“The Slave Experience: Education, Arts & Culture.” PBS, PBS, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/education/docs1.html.