The Crucible by Arthur Miller

1
The Crucible by Arthur Miller

• Elizabeth

2
How do Elizabeths language and actions
contribute to the tension in the final act?

• Aye. It were a fearsome man, Giles Corey.
• Elizabeth uses a respectful tone in describing
  the heroic actions of Giles Corey prior to his
  death.
• This has a dramatic influence on Proctor as he
  now realises what he must do in order to gain
  respect from his wife and to find forgiveness in
  himself.
• Elizabeth implies through her description of
  Giles death that she expects her husband to
  demonstrate similar strength of character.
  Although Proctor doesnt react the audience know
  that he is aware of Elizabeth's suggestions.

3
In what ways does Elizabeths language and
actions relate to the theme of the play the
importance of reputation and social standing,
the nature of forgiveness?, corruption,
religious fanaticism?

• I cannot judge you, John.
• This relates to the nature of forgiveness and
  refers back to early in the play when Elizabeth
  says I do not judge you, the magistrate in your
  heart that judges you.
• Elizabeth shows that Proctor must learn to
  forgive himself before she can.
• Hale, Parris and Danforth all try to find answers
  in Elizabeth as she is the only character not
  corrupt in the play.

4
How do we judge this characters actions in the
final act? How do we feel about their final
actions/decisions/words?

• Elizabeth blames herself for Proctors sins.
• It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.
• Elizabeth has changed from the beginning of the
  play. At the start she is blunt whereas at the
  end she is more sympathetic towards her husbands
  actions.

5
What message does the resolution of this
characters part in the play contain for the
audience? What, if anything, should we learn from
this characters part in the whole play?

• Elizabeth is the most consistent, least deserving
  of criticism and the character who suffers the
  most throughout the course of the
• Elizabeth proves that even the least deserving
  are not immune from the capricious nastiness of
  the court, Danforth and the forces of evil. In a
  sense Elizabeth stands for the innocent victim.
  She is incapable of preventing her husband from
  dying or of changing her own circumstances.
• We admire Elizabeth however, as she does not
  waver or disintegrate under the most
  extraordinary pressure. We also admire her
  integrity she only lies to the court under the
  most extreme pressure a lie that it is hard to
  judge her for. We respect the fact that she
  remains with Proctor someone she tries to see
  the best in despite his bad treatment of hershe
  even takes some of the responsibility for the
  predicament she and Proctor find themselves in at
  the end It needs a cold wife to prompt
  lechery.

6
How has this character changed or developed
over the course of the drama?

•   The character of Elizabeth stays consistent
  throughout the play
• She has continuously refused to pardon or
  interfere in her husband's moral dilemma. In the
  final act she repeats the phrase I do not judge
  you a number of times. She does not believe it
  is her responsibility nor does she force or
  command her husbands actions to the point that
  she is willing to quietly observe his sacrifice.
  This quiet dignity is consistent with
  Elizabeths character throughout the play,
  confusing and angering Proctor in Act II and
  similarly confusing Hale, Parris, and Danforth in
  the final scenes of the play all three request
  that she pardon her husband or interfere in his
  judgement making. She ignores all, full in the
  knowledge that Proctor must decide for
  himselfWhatever you will do, it is a good man
  does it.
• In many ways Elizabeth, despite being accused of
  witchcraft by Abigail, is the least affected of
  all of the characters in the play. She
  demonstrates a resolute persona throughout.
  Perhaps it is this quality that Proctor fell in
  love with. She is certainly the strongest
  character in the play.

7
Why we might criticise Elizabeth

• Hale, Danforth and Parris criticise Elizabeth in
  the final scene because she shows no emotion
  towards her husbands conviction.
• Are you stone?...have the devil dried up any
  tear of pity in you?
• Stone implies Elizabeth is unsympathetic and
  emotionless, this is ironic because Danforth is
  comparing her to something lifeless.
• Danforth accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft.