Addie's Criticism In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
Cora’s as a Christian women contrasts with Addie’s real experience with sin. As Addie put it, “people to whom sin is just a matter of words, to them salvation is just words too (176).” This quote describes Addie’s religious views perfectly. She does not consider her affair a bad thing; therefore, why is repentance necessary? If you have done nothing wrong then why do you need forgiveness? Cora believes it is pride that holds Addie back from Christ, that she has done nothing wrong (167). Rather ironically, Addie had an affair, with a minister of all people. However, Addie does not feel any different than what Cora believes, yet for different reasons. If Cora knew the truth she would be amazed at Addie’s genuine feelings about sin. Any social
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Jewel is not a likely candidate for a savior, at least on a moral sense. He exhausts profanity often, even uses God’s name in vain numerous times. Yet to Addie, he is the son she most cares for, the product of her affair with Whitfield. She gave her other children to Anse but since the affair was kept secret, Jewel belonged only to her. Since they both share an independence from the rest of the family, Addie and Jewel have a special relationship. While discussing sin with Cora, Addie prophesied that he would save her both from the water and the fire (Faulkner 168). This prophesy was to be later fulfilled on the trip to Jefferson. Jewel holds onto Addie’s coffin with a rope to rescue it from the raging river (154-155). Later on in the novel, Darl sets fire to the Gilliespie barn in an attempt to give his mother peace (217). Darl had reasons for commiting arson but did not understand Addie’s wishes. Her request to be buried in Jefferson, with her own family reflects a lack of emotional connection to the Bundren family. Anse died to her long ago and she felt that her children violated a sense of aloneness (174; 172). The religious significance of her statement is in the confusion of Cora’s over who she was referring to. To Cora, an example of the exemplar Christian woman, Christ is the savior; she considers Addie’s remark idolatry. It is a violation of the first commandment, that nothing or no one shall come before
Jewel is not a likely candidate for a savior, at least on a moral sense. He exhausts profanity often, even uses God’s name in vain numerous times. Yet to Addie, he is the son she most cares for, the product of her affair with Whitfield. She gave her other children to Anse but since the affair was kept secret, Jewel belonged only to her. Since they both share an independence from the rest of the family, Addie and Jewel have a special relationship. While discussing sin with Cora, Addie prophesied that he would save her both from the water and the fire (Faulkner 168). This prophesy was to be later fulfilled on the trip to Jefferson. Jewel holds onto Addie’s coffin with a rope to rescue it from the raging river (154-155). Later on in the novel, Darl sets fire to the Gilliespie barn in an attempt to give his mother peace (217). Darl had reasons for commiting arson but did not understand Addie’s wishes. Her request to be buried in Jefferson, with her own family reflects a lack of emotional connection to the Bundren family. Anse died to her long ago and she felt that her children violated a sense of aloneness (174; 172). The religious significance of her statement is in the confusion of Cora’s over who she was referring to. To Cora, an example of the exemplar Christian woman, Christ is the savior; she considers Addie’s remark idolatry. It is a violation of the first commandment, that nothing or no one shall come before