Crucible Act II prompt

Act II of The Crucible may be short but it is very outspoken about American aspects today. It gives many examples that can relate to our naive and misunderstood nature. For instance, the difference between a male and a female within their natural maturing rate. It is also common for people to automatically believe what they see rather than questioning what they are actually seeing. Guilt and shame also follow and revolve around our everyday lives.
In Act II, a very good point is brought up by Elizabeth, “a promise is made in bed.” Although John is over Abigail, and would rather have nothing to do with her, Abigail thinks that John loves her for what has occurred previously between the two. This can point out how the average female matures earlier than a male. Women are in tune with their feelings and when you put so much into a relationship you subject to believing that that is “true love”. Some men have a different perception to whether or not that is even love. Abigail represents many young women today, who believes what she sees at the sign of true love, as well all do with other things controlling our everyday thoughts in life.
Cheever, although short-lined, is a major character in Act II. He represents so many of us today for the simple fact that he mistakes the truth by believing in solely on what he sees. Just because you see something does not necessarily mean that it is real. There is a poppet in your house, so you are instantly questionable to being a witch. Not many like to be told what we don’t want to hear, we often avoid what can be the truth. Cheever is just like us, he knows that it is possible for the poppet being a set up, but what he sees is what he believes, and he wants to hear no part of whatever anyone else has to say. Even facts towards the respectable and good reputations of the women do not change his mind. It doesn’t matter that they are good people, he believes in what he sees, and what he sees is proof to point the finger and blame someone as a witch. Anyone can be judged during this hysteria. This resembles a certain part of our past, September 11th, 2001. Hysteria broke out after 9/11 and some people were instantly judged based upon their ethnicity. Shame revolved around our country that an act of violence could be focused towards us, and guilt and shame revolve around us everyday.
Guilt and shame can easily make us veer towards another opinion. We want to believe what people say, but when the law does not allow it or questions what we want to believe we feel guilty. In the play, Hale is stuck between the Proctor’s story to which he wants to believe and the law that surrounds their lives. He results to the saying “If they are innocent then they will be left out.” Cheever also brings up an easily miss-construed topic, religion. The town must deserve what has happened because they aren’t good Puritans. Instantly the men feel guilty, could it be their fault that this hysteria arose? Were they not being good Puritans? The men have guilt upon not carrying out proper religious tasks which make them feel like they’re not keeping to their duties. Guilt and shame can make someone feel as though they are to blame.
The Crucible Act II is a strong indicator to current American life. It pinpoints different aspects that control us everyday. Girls are more mature than guys and feel that following a promise comes love. We believe what we see everyday, and we don’t want to be questioned upon that. Guilt and shame can easily put us in our place and make us believe or think to a different concept rather than our original one. Altogether, though very short, Act II points an opinionated picture to what controls our lives and how it controls our lives.

Viewpoints towards The Crucible

Although The Crucible was written over 50 years ago it still shows relevant truth behind todays society. We still, in America, have "witch hunts", of course, though, not actual witch hunts but ones concering other important matters going on throughout the world today. Terroism, is a very big issue within America. We do hunt down terroists and that relates sort of to The Crucible, making accusations towards people based upon things that can prove a negative side. Communisim in the past was also an issue that relates to The Crucible. During the Red Scare many people were falsely accused of being a communist based upon facts that could not be proven absolutely real. So yes, I do think that The Crucible is relevant to our 21st century.