Dramatic Effect in ‘The Crucible’

Dramatic Effect of a Play and Structure The dramatic effect of plays sometimes depends on a gradual beginning and a powerful ending, sometimes on a shocking beginning and slow, fading ending, sometimes on something different. These large scale effects are referred to as the structure of the play.

The Atmosphere of Fear and Hysteria There is a dramatic feeling of fear and hysteria when Hale cross-examines Tituba near the end of Act 1. Abigail realises she may be next person to be accused by Tituba so she joins in with hysteria, naming more Salem women as witches. To add to the dramatically charged chaos, Betty awakes and hysterically confesses to still more.

Fear and Hysteria cont. A similar but even more frightening dramatic episode in the play is when Abigail distracts the attentions of the court by pretending to see 'a bird' that she says is the spirit of Mary Warren, threatening to tear her face. Fear and hysteria rule supreme in the court.

Clash of contrasting characters

Much of the dramatic effectiveness in the play comes from the conflict between contrasting characters. Examples: The earnest, plain, loyal, hurt wife Elizabeth Proctor contrasts with thedevious, manipulative, sensual teenager Abigail Williams. The self-righteous and falsely pious clergyman Reverend Parris, contrasts strongly with the rough, plain-speaking farmer John Proctor and they clash frequently. The enthusiastic, eager but relatively open- minded investigating of Reverend Hale contrasts with the gloomy, authoritative judgementalattitude of the elderly Deputy Governor Danforth.

Turning Point in ‘The Crucible’ A crucial point in the drama is reached when Proctor confesses his adultery. We feel that this should finally destroy Abigail’s credibility, but the tables are turned when Elizabeth’s misplaced loyalty destroys his case. Mary Warren’s attempt to tell the truth is defeated by the force of Abigail’s personality, and she denounces John Proctor, who is arrested.

The Ending of ‘The Crucible’ There is a strong dramatic effect at end as play draws to a climax. A key feature of this is the question of whether John Proctor will confess and save himself or defy the court and die. We are left uncertain of this until almost the end when he makes his dramatic decision and Danforth proclaims his terrifying sentence, "Hang them high over the town!" The drama is heightened by the sense of chaos as the authority figures of Hale and even Parris attempt to persuade him to save himself. They have both apparently lost their faith in Danforth's ferocious justice.