Act IV: Content

Question

To begin, you will finish The Crucible. In this activity, you will not be completing comprehension questions or a discussion post though. You are solely focused on the completion of the summative assignment.

Now that you have finished The Crucible, you have see the chaos unfold in Salem as a result of accusations, trials and executions, it is your job to determine an answer to the following:

Who or what holds the most blame for the events surrounding the trial and deaths in Salem?

To answer this question, you will put together a presentation that is approximately 5 minutes in length. Use the following structure to help your organize your presentation:

Introduction to presentation: background, introduction to argument

Introduce evidence to support your position

Include multiple pieces of evidence (direct quotations) that you explain thoroughly

Be sure to identify the significance/consequences of this evidence

Provide a counter-argument to dispute another leading candidate to who could receive the most blame:

I.e. Although some may consider Abigail to be most responsible…

Make a connection to the literary theory that you feel provides the best analysis of the play

This does not necessarily have to connect to your argument about who is most to blame, but you can certainly weave that into your argument!

Concluding remarks

You also need to include some visual component to this presentation. This could be as simple as a slideshow or visual editing features on your video.

Answer 1

In my presentation, I will argue that Reverend Parris holds the most blame for the events surrounding the trial and deaths in Salem.

Introduction:

Reverend Parris is a key figure in The Crucible, as the spiritual leader of the town. He is focused on maintaining his reputation and position of power, which ultimately leads to the chaos and hysteria that unfolds in Salem. Parris's actions and decisions have a ripple effect that sets off the chain of events that result in the tragic outcomes for many innocent individuals.

Evidence:

One piece of evidence to support this argument is Parris's initial concern with his reputation and status within the community. When Abigail and the other girls are discovered dancing in the woods, Parris immediately fears the repercussions this could have on his standing in the town. He emphasizes the importance of his reputation to his niece, saying, "I saw Tituba waving her arms over the fire when I came on you. Why was she doing that? And I heard a screeching and gibberish coming from her mouth. She were swaying like a dumb beast over that fire!" (Act 1). This emphasis on reputation over truth sets the tone for the events to come.

Another piece of evidence is Parris's role in pushing for the trials to continue and for more individuals to be accused. He is quick to believe the accusations made by the girls, as they deflect attention away from his own role in the situation. Parris even goes so far as to encourage Danforth to continue the trials, saying, "Excellency, I think they be aboard a ship. This be a grand plot to spoil Goody Proctor's name. She is a cold, sniveling woman, and you bend to her!" (Act 3). By pushing for more accusations and trials, Parris further exacerbates the hysteria in Salem.

Counter-argument:

Some may argue that Abigail holds the most blame for the events in Salem, as she is the one who initially accuses others of witchcraft and drives the hysteria. While Abigail plays a significant role in the events, it is important to recognize that her actions are fueled by a desire for power and revenge. Parris, on the other hand, is driven by a need to protect his reputation and maintain his position of authority.

Literary theory:

A Marxist analysis of The Crucible can provide insight into the role of power and class in the events that unfold. Parris's actions can be seen as a reflection of the power dynamics at play in Salem, where individuals are willing to manipulate others in order to maintain their own status and authority. This analysis underscores the role of class and power in shaping the events of the play.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Reverend Parris holds the most blame for the events surrounding the trials and deaths in Salem. His actions and decisions contribute to the chaos and hysteria that ultimately lead to the tragic outcomes for many innocent individuals. It is important to recognize the role of power and reputation in shaping the events of the play, as these forces drive the actions of characters like Parris.

I hope this presentation provides a comprehensive analysis of the events in The Crucible and sheds light on the complexities of the characters involved. Thank you.