Explain how drama is created in a scene from The Crucible.
One scene that I believe especially has a lot of tension and drama is during act four when Elizabeth and John Proctor are left alone in the Salem jail cell to talk.
One way in which tension is created in this scene is the use of phatic language when Elizabeth and John are left alone together. The use of this small talk deviates from the primary topic they should be discussing: John admitting to witchcraft. The use of the small talk at the start of their conversation was constructed by Miller to build up the tension for the audience. This is because they are waiting for the moment when, either Elizabeth or John, bring up the conversation of whether John should admit the truth or admit to witchcraft. Evidently it may be his wife that changes his opinion on what to do and Miller builds up this tension using small talk. This phatic language is necessary as John would want to know about his children; however that is not really his primary concern at the moment. For the audience, the phatic language does not provide us with the information we want to hear: Elizabeth’s view on what John should do.
During this scene, through the stage directions, we learn that there are a lot of pauses between these two characters. Considering that they are the only two people in the room the pauses are used by Miller to create an atmosphere of tension. The pauses indicate both characters hesitation to say anything about the topic at hand. This is because they both know that in order for John to survive he has to admit to witchcraft despite the fact that he is innocent. They both know that if John does say the truth it will likely result in his hanging. This creates tension as the pauses show they both know that either way there are consequences and there isn’t anything they can do about this.
During this scene, through the stage directions, it is noticeable that John Proctor is not directly looking at his wife despite the fact that they are the only two people in the room. The best example of this is the stage direction which sates, ‘but not quite looking at her.’ This also creates tension as it can be interpreted that this shows how helpless John is; either way he will face consequences and he and his wife both know he is innocent but the court will only set him free if he agrees to witchcraft. It can also show that John is still resentful of his sins after having an affair with Abigail. This is because after he ‘turns directly to her for the first time’ he asks for her forgiveness. This shows us that he still feels as though his wife has not forgiven him which may be the reason why he has not looked directly at her until now. This suggests a deeper tension within their relationship that existed a long time before these trials. It indicates that there was tension between these two characters since John’s affair.
One way in which tension is created in this scene is the use of phatic language when Elizabeth and John are left alone together. The use of this small talk deviates from the primary topic they should be discussing: John admitting to witchcraft. The use of the small talk at the start of their conversation was constructed by Miller to build up the tension for the audience. This is because they are waiting for the moment when, either Elizabeth or John, bring up the conversation of whether John should admit the truth or admit to witchcraft. Evidently it may be his wife that changes his opinion on what to do and Miller builds up this tension using small talk. This phatic language is necessary as John would want to know about his children; however that is not really his primary concern at the moment. For the audience, the phatic language does not provide us with the information we want to hear: Elizabeth’s view on what John should do.
During this scene, through the stage directions, we learn that there are a lot of pauses between these two characters. Considering that they are the only two people in the room the pauses are used by Miller to create an atmosphere of tension. The pauses indicate both characters hesitation to say anything about the topic at hand. This is because they both know that in order for John to survive he has to admit to witchcraft despite the fact that he is innocent. They both know that if John does say the truth it will likely result in his hanging. This creates tension as the pauses show they both know that either way there are consequences and there isn’t anything they can do about this.
During this scene, through the stage directions, it is noticeable that John Proctor is not directly looking at his wife despite the fact that they are the only two people in the room. The best example of this is the stage direction which sates, ‘but not quite looking at her.’ This also creates tension as it can be interpreted that this shows how helpless John is; either way he will face consequences and he and his wife both know he is innocent but the court will only set him free if he agrees to witchcraft. It can also show that John is still resentful of his sins after having an affair with Abigail. This is because after he ‘turns directly to her for the first time’ he asks for her forgiveness. This shows us that he still feels as though his wife has not forgiven him which may be the reason why he has not looked directly at her until now. This suggests a deeper tension within their relationship that existed a long time before these trials. It indicates that there was tension between these two characters since John’s affair.