The concept of belonging is a central theme in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible." Set in the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts during the Salem witch trials of the 1690s, the play explores the ways in which individuals either fit in or stand out within their community.
One character who struggles with belonging is John Proctor, a farmer who is initially respected within the community but becomes an outsider after he admits to having an affair with Abigail Williams, a young servant girl. Proctor is torn between his desire to belong and his sense of integrity, as he knows that confessing to the affair would mean betraying his wife and compromising his own values. Ultimately, Proctor chooses to stand up for what he believes in, even if it means being ostracized by the community.
Another character who grapples with the idea of belonging is Elizabeth Proctor, John's wife. Elizabeth is a devout and respected member of the community, but she is also deeply troubled by her husband's infidelity. Despite her love for John, she struggles to forgive him and feels like an outsider in her own marriage. In the end, Elizabeth decides to stand by her husband, even though it means going against the community and potentially being accused of witchcraft herself.
The theme of belonging is also evident in the character of Reverend John Hale, a minister who is brought in to Salem to investigate the alleged witches. Initially, Hale is convinced of the existence of witches and is eager to root them out, believing that this will bring him closer to God and the community. However, as the trials progress and he begins to see the injustice and manipulation at play, Hale becomes disillusioned and starts to question his own beliefs and his place in the community.
In "The Crucible," belonging is closely tied to conformity and the fear of standing out or being different. Many of the characters are willing to go along with the hysteria of the witch trials in order to fit in and avoid being accused themselves. However, those who dare to speak out or go against the norm, like John and Elizabeth Proctor and Reverend Hale, ultimately pay a heavy price for their nonconformity.
In conclusion, "The Crucible" demonstrates the complex and often difficult relationship between belonging and individual identity. The play shows that it is not always easy to find a sense of belonging, and that sometimes it requires standing up for what one believes in, even if it means being ostracized by the community.
Belonging
Similarly I Freedom Writers, by Richard Lagravense, the Hispanic gang member, Eva, achieves a sense of personal identity and true belonging when she tells the truth in court. Some people will go to extraordinary lengths to achieve a sense of belonging; whether it to be a group, culture or city, some people will try anything. It is well known that people tend to lose focus of what is important to them when no one is helping them along, thus the necessity for role expectations. The girls brought out fears in the townspeople of being possessed my witches, of being accused as one, and no one in the town wanted to face either. As a result, the audience sees that Abigail is a character who is constantly rejected with a desperate need to belong.
‘the Crucible’ and ‘the Island’
He is a man of integrity; a harsh-tongued man whose lust led him to an affair with Abigail Williams, his former servant. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I'm guessing it would have something to do with Abigail's desire to belong? You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet! Generally, explicit rules are made in order for everyone to obviously and without question understand what is expected of them. She is unsuccessful in getting this done and ends up executing over twelve people including John Proctor. Belonging and exclusion in any situation are two sides of the same coin - you can't have one without the other. Because of his affair with Abigail Williams, Proctor questions whether or not he is a moral man, yet this past event is the only major flaw attributed to Proctor, who is in all other respects honorable and ethical. It's difficult to talk about a positive sense of belonging in the Crucible! So in the process of trying to belong you lose a sense of your own individuality. See if you can go and track down some study guide books for the crucible at a library or something, cause i know there are some ok ones out there, such as the 'Get Smart' guides.
The Crucible and belonging
Reverend Parris, Abigail Williams, and John Proctor are good examples of how fear and hysteria can destroy good judgment. In any organization or group, people are bound together by a community of interest, purpose or function and if you do not believe in these same things, then you are not Witch Hunts: Islamophobia In The West Islamophobia in the West Most witch hunts were by government authorities in response to chaos and death Hunter,2015. These ideas of belonging or not belonging can also be compared in Dorian Gray and We Are Going through a variety of dramatic, film and literary techniques. Various groups such as family, friends and community aspire people to belong as these are seen as the very important groups for people to want to fit in to. Parker uses the motif of a deteriorating painting to demonstrate this. Or are you out? From these texts, through the main characters ,the audience is able to see the possibilities of how choosing to go against the community is beneficial for an individual's identity.
How does the play The Crucible relate to belonging, and what are some quotes that show that?
Understanding is a main part of feeling like you belonging. Also there is another example of symbolism is when, while chatting online, the zombie is chasing two people and then stopped when seeing the girl, and then gives her a flower which turns her into a zombie which symbolises that they should be together. Aspects of belonging such as alienation and isolation can be associated with the concept of belonging, as not belonging is a reciprocal process of belonging. The married couple, Shirley and Joe Wershba, are going against CBS's company policy as no co-workers are allowed to be married. Miller strongly demonstrates how many individuals can be pressured to conform to societal expectations ultimately alienating them as they lose their sense of self. As a result, he realises the negative consequences of trying to conform and loses his power by destroying the painting as a sign of self-belonging.
