what i wouldnt do for a time machine to attend an opening night play of the crucible or death of a salesman in the 40s/50s

read in 11th grade. i hate this boring ass book.

“ELIZABETH: Great stones they lay upon his chest until he plead aye or nay. With a tender smile for the old man: They say he give them but two words. “More weight,” he says. And died. PROCTOR, numbed—a thread to weave into his agony: “More weight.” ELIZABETH: Aye. It were a fearsome man, Giles Corey.”

For the first time whilst reading an introduction to a story I was completely engrossed before even beginning. Christopher Bigsby does a cracking job that enriches Miller’s work—adding context and analysis without beating it to death before you even get a chance to read it; as I’ve read with other introductions to other stories. It’s insightful and intriguing. Here’s an example of the many passages I highlighted:

“The question is not the reality of witches but the power of authority to define the nature of the real, and the desire, on the part of individuals and the state, to identify those whose purging will relieve a sense of anxiety and guilt. What lay behind the procedures of both witch trial and political hearing was a familiar American need to assert a recoverable innocence even if the only guarantee of such innocence lay in the displacement of guilt onto
others.”

As far as the play is concerned, I think it’s brilliant. I don’t understand it’s low rating nor do I get why it has this reputation of being hard to understand. It’s not hard to read at all. What’s there not to understand? Teenage girls lie because they don’t want to get in trouble. A couple decides to stir everything up so they can get some land out of it all. A paranoid Preacher is willing to be deceitful to increase his social status and a married man makes the gravest mistake of all by having an affair with a young girl. Innocent people get caught up in it all and those who may not be entirely innocent still don’t deserve to hang for things you can’t even see to prove wrongdoing against.

People hang because those doing the hanging are afraid and think they are just. There’s no truth, no hope for justice. When those in charge have taken all except you yourself, your personal identity, what do you do then? When all is violated and you only have your name to hold onto? I’ll leave you with one my favorite parts of the story.

“ELIZABETH: Do what you will. But let none be your judge. There be no higher judge under Heaven than Proctor is! Forgive me, forgive me, John—I never knew such goodness in the world! She covers her face, weeping. Proctor turns from her to Hathorne; he is off the earth, his voice hollow. PROCTOR: I want my life. HATHORNE, electrified, surprised: You’ll confess yourself? PROCTOR: I will have my life.”


Rating: 5 Stars

Very interesting, a good read-which doesn't always make for a good play. Read it 20 years ago but
It didn't make this sort impact. Age changes I guess.