The Crucible Act 1
In his
introduction of John Hale starting on page 37, what attitude does Arthur Miller
take to the belief in the devil/evil spirits? Write a paragraph response using
quotations in support of your explanation. This is quite a difficult passage.
You will need to read it carefully and give your response some thought. Post on
your blog by Tuesday 8.20
Arthur
Miller describes his attitude towards most evil spirits through his description
of Reverend Hale, his “unique knowledge” of the devil. Like Hale, we, Miller
and most of our modern society, believe the Devil is not rubbish, it is a
reality! But, Millers tone as he describes the spirit world and Hale, in long
ravenous sentences, makes the reader feel almost bored, with the fact there is a
devil. He is also straight with, what he believes to be the fact. Hale tells
everyone, “We cannot look to
superstition in this. The Devil is precise.” Miller postulates: there is a
divided opinion; of good and evil. It is scientifically justified because positive
and negative forces are related: if there is no heaven, there cannot be a hell.
Miller explored the birth of religion as a, “methodical inculcation into
humanity”. In the
capitalistic world, the government becomes the judge. Where as in the communistic
world of the 1950s, there is no religion, yet the opposing forces of good and
evil still exist. The effect of the devil is no different from Salem times to
now, except in degree of cruelty, with mans secret intent left to priests to
judge. Now, many European Church’s
are sharp-eyed when challenged by old Gods. Miller looked at his own world full
of capitalists and communists and posed the one question, “If there were no witches/devil/evil
spirits in Salem during 1692, why are there good and bad things now?”
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