The Crucible: An Analysis
Katie Menzel
11/7/12
Conner
Eng. Per. 2
“Most people are not really free. They are confined by the niche in the world that they carve out for themselves. They limit themselves to fewer possibilities by the narrowness of their vision.” This quote by V.S Niapaul demonstrates the idea that people limit themselves. They limit themselves to there own ideas. They don’t believe in themselves. Mary Warren in The Crucible demonstrates this by not believing in herself and settling for being a “follower”. Mary however, has a sincere sense of loyalty to John Proctor her employer. Mary Warren goes through an inner battle of peer pressure and her loyalty to Proctor. Mary’s yearning to fit in and loyalty to Proctor develops the theme that peer pressure easily overcomes loyalty. In the beginning of The Crucible, Mary Warren struggles with an inner sense of belonging. Mary Warren Clearly shows the reader her battle with finding where she belongs when she argues with Abigail about confessing there crimes. However, Mary does not win the argument and is easily silenced by Abigail.‘What’s got her? Abby, she’s going to die! It’s a sin to conjure, and we- ‘I said shut it Mary Warren!’. Abigail is clearly in control of this argument as she silences Mary Warren. Mary establishes herself as a follower because she noticeably lacks self confidence. In act two of The Crucible, Mary Warren fights with her loyalty to John Proctor. In the beginning of act two Elizabeth Proctor is convicted of being a witch and possession of a poppet. Proctor then screams at Mary that she must confess how she gave Elizabeth the poppet. Mary collapses to the floor and in hysterics repeats “I cannot. I cannot.” However, in act three Mary Warren confesses to the court her sin of giving Elizabeth the poppet. Mary also confesses that all the girls are faking that they know who the witches are. This is a severe act of loyalty to Proctor because she out right confesses to the court that she lied not just
11/7/12
Conner
Eng. Per. 2
“Most people are not really free. They are confined by the niche in the world that they carve out for themselves. They limit themselves to fewer possibilities by the narrowness of their vision.” This quote by V.S Niapaul demonstrates the idea that people limit themselves. They limit themselves to there own ideas. They don’t believe in themselves. Mary Warren in The Crucible demonstrates this by not believing in herself and settling for being a “follower”. Mary however, has a sincere sense of loyalty to John Proctor her employer. Mary Warren goes through an inner battle of peer pressure and her loyalty to Proctor. Mary’s yearning to fit in and loyalty to Proctor develops the theme that peer pressure easily overcomes loyalty. In the beginning of The Crucible, Mary Warren struggles with an inner sense of belonging. Mary Warren Clearly shows the reader her battle with finding where she belongs when she argues with Abigail about confessing there crimes. However, Mary does not win the argument and is easily silenced by Abigail.‘What’s got her? Abby, she’s going to die! It’s a sin to conjure, and we- ‘I said shut it Mary Warren!’. Abigail is clearly in control of this argument as she silences Mary Warren. Mary establishes herself as a follower because she noticeably lacks self confidence. In act two of The Crucible, Mary Warren fights with her loyalty to John Proctor. In the beginning of act two Elizabeth Proctor is convicted of being a witch and possession of a poppet. Proctor then screams at Mary that she must confess how she gave Elizabeth the poppet. Mary collapses to the floor and in hysterics repeats “I cannot. I cannot.” However, in act three Mary Warren confesses to the court her sin of giving Elizabeth the poppet. Mary also confesses that all the girls are faking that they know who the witches are. This is a severe act of loyalty to Proctor because she out right confesses to the court that she lied not just