The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Hi - currently crying at the fact that my first IB exam starts in 50 days, and I know absolutely nothing for any of my subjects. Also crying at the fact that my writing was so much better two years ago - gosh, why couldn’t I have done the IB back then?
Anyway, I stumbled across three pieces of creative writing I did back in Year 10. It is based on the play “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller. Although I don’t recall being a huge fan of this play, I do remember gaining a greater appreciation for Miller’s construction of the characters through writing these pieces. In all honesty, I don’t think I could’ve written anything of this calibre as per my current level of writing (lmao ib is literally detrimental to my intellect…or rather, when I still had some) but hope you enjoy it! It is more wordy than my usual rookie photoshop posts - but hopefully equally if not more enjoyable :)
January 14th, 1692
To Governor Danforth:
In light of recent events, I write you this letter in response to the charge against my wife, Elizabeth Proctor, of witchcraft by Abigail Williams.
Subsequent to the dismissal of my servant, Abigail Williams, I feel that my relationship with my wife has become an everlasting funeral caused by baseless accusations made by a child who cannot comprehend the difference between hard work and fanciful play. Your excellency, the Williams girl is but a child who seeks vengeance and corrupts the young who fear her indecency. Her only motive is to cause anguish between my Elizabeth and I, for she wants love, but is too selfish to deserve so. She thinks to dance with me on my wife’s grave! I only see now, that I may only have myself to blame for her misled heart and the paranoia caused within our community.
I know her, sir. I know the girl. I testify that she has spoken to me just before panic broke out and told me that there be no witchcraft involved in her dancing with Tituba– Parris’ slave. Ask yourself why she would contradict herself, now especially upon seeing our reception of witchcraft, which is conviction and threat of execution. But proof sir, proof? Governor, here I present you with my proof! Would it not be her natural instinct to save herself from punishment? I strongly urge you now to keep a close eye on those you call witnesses, and realize that their testimonies against the accused can hold no more than the testimonies that defend them.
Now Hell and Heaven grapple on our backs, and all our old pretense is ripped away; spare Elizabeth some mercy! She is the purest woman in Salem and everyone know it! My wife speaks only the voice of Heaven in the contention of this case. Peace is a providence, and no great change; we are only what we always were, but naked now. Aye, naked! And the wind, God’s icy wind, will blow! Mister Danforth, I urge you to open your eyes. The innocent have suffered enough of this madness. Salem is a society devoid of feeling and happiness. If the church continues to be run by a dubious swindler; society will fall, I tell you. Justice of the people is the basic building block to society– if this is not achieved, society will fall. Who will you be then, to overlook Salem?
Yours truly,
John Proctor
—–
January 15th, 1692
Proctor,
Thank you for your letter. However, do you know who I am? For I am Judge Danforth, Judge Thomas Danforth, I think I deserve a better explanation! This is the highest court of the supreme government of this province and we handle all cases with high levels of proficiency. Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside? The fact that you are implying that the court wrongly accuses innocent people of witchcraft is a preposterous allegation, and will not be tolerated by myself or any member of the court.
I must reiterate, Proctor, that the presence of the court in Salem is to uphold the law; to advocate justice, and for the better good of the people. The law, based upon the Bible, and the Bible, writ by Almighty God, forbid the practice of witchcraft, and describes death as the penalty thereof. But likewise, children, the law and Bible damn all bearers of false witness. So, Proctor, are you accusing the Williams girl for perfidy? You are charging Abigail Williams with a wondrous plot for dishonesty to the court, do you understand that? How likely would it be for a person, let alone a child, to lie to the court? Proctor, I cannot let this pass.
No uncorrupted man should fear the court, and if God really speaks through Elizabeth, I fail to see the purpose of your message.
Proctor, my advice to you is to trust in the lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.
Kind Regards,
Judge T. Danforth
—–
March 29th, 1692
To Sir Danforth:
Before I make way to the gallows, it is on this fine day that I write this letter to you, in hope that I can freely express these past events with no faction to arbitrate against my words.
Your excellency, I feel that it is my rightful duty as a reverent denizen of Salem to first evoke the presence of hysteria that has broken out upon the land. Sir Danforth, we live in a world of fear; fear of what looms within the confines of our community, fear of what we have yet to even learn or know, fear of living without love, and most of all, the fear of forced death upon those who are innocent to inequity. Aye, I too may share the same fears, just like you or any other member of society, but it is our fears that become our greatest enemy. Have we ever stopped to think that perhaps, the number of cases in court is perpetuated by a continuous cycle of distrust, accusations, arrest and conviction amongst the people of Salem? It is the fear of punishment that takes us.
Surely remember you Tituba, the slave of Paris who confessed to witchery on her first day? Because she knows she be whipped and hung if she denied, not because she really saw Satan. She cries for help, but to only save her from the hardship. We all know we be blamed for most wrong done in that house. Goody Nurse, too, she be hung and everyone knows, she never in her life lied or gone against the church. She be one of the purest woman in Salem and everyone know it. Yet she still be hung on the words of a child, and people believed too. What became of Salem today? Children acting in such licentious manner. For what? A dance in the woods? A conjuring of spirits? And now the whole of Salem fear because of them.
Sir, I know you a man of good faith and honour. For the betterment of the people of Salem and to fulfill a dying man’s last wish, I not only hope but expect you to take away with you my words to think and ascertain for yourself, the underlying flaws in Christianity that are the cause of the true injustice here in Salem. Your excellency, it is vital for you to regain power over Salem if the justice of the citizens are to be restored. Governor, you are a trusted man in society; the people will listen to you.
As I see now that it is my providence, along with several others, I shall hang tomorrow with my name and my honour; it is in my death I finally find peace and redemption. I bid farewell to you and the people of Salem, and I beg of you above all, to tell Elizabeth and my sons that I love them with all my heart.
May God continue to bless the land of Salem.
Best Wishes,
John Proctor
“I still hear people call inanimate objects gay, and pronounce “lesbian” like it’s as taboo as Voldemort’s name. Those are already the simplest of the things I’ve heard.
I had a conversation recently. The person presented strong, absolute opinions, and halfway through our conversation, told me they didn’t know what the term we were talking about actually meant. I mean, come on! I couldn’t and still can’t believe how ignorant some people choose to be. And you know, it’s not my responsibility (or anyone else’s) to spoon-feed definitions to a person capable of finding them out for themselves…
There’s still ignorance going on, and largely it’s the fault of individuals. Each of us contribute to the social system we share. I want to change that. I know I can change that. Deep down, I’m very angry. People are mistreated, excluded, abused. People are dying. How can personal belief justify that? It’s nice to be more patient as I grow up. In expressing myself, I’m more persuasive and eloquent. Sometimes it’s hard, to express an opinion whilst feeling inseparable disbelief and disgust…But it’s part of the struggle and there’s nothing else to do than face it. But the cause of the struggle remains inexpressibly disappointing.
Every single human being is allowed to romantically love as they wish. The same goes for sexual attraction. And gender identity. That’s a fact. I know it, it’s a basic right. Personal freedom. What logic supports people selectively “allowing” gender identities, or sexualities? Why do people feel entitled to control it? Through law, through social behaviour…I see people whisper behind backs about someone coming out. What’s it to you, other than a mark against your beliefs…? And why should people struggle, whilst you avoid unlearning those harmful beliefs?
I hear people condemn every sexuality that isn’t heterosexuality, make fun of movies with LGBTQ+ characters…And momentarily my breath catches. Why did they say that? What is their intention, do they have a clear incentive or do they do it out of social habit? Do they say it thoughtfully or thoughtlessly? I can’t explain how ignorance like this can be so acceptable, even for people usually kind. I would like to hear an explanation…Over the past four years, I’ve only heard flawed and invalid arguments.
I’m hopeful…There’s light in the world, in all of us. Each individual must rise up to themselves. Learn and practice unselective respect and kindness. You owe it to yourself to be considerate. It’s hard to relearn long-held beliefs. But for the sake of all the people in the world, and for your own sake: don’t help uphold an unfair social system. The system is a brick tower, crushing the opportunities and freedom of the people, who by popular standard aren’t “normal”. And up above, the privileged people who fit societal norms sit, mostly unaffected, on each floor…Reaching down to help, or not. But remember. We all built this brick tower. It’s constructed by our hands, so to tear it apart…We have to do it together.”
- Karen Ng, Class of 2018
“I like Bistros and Biscuits. I like to ride Bikes and I like to play Bingo. Did you get my subliminal message yet?”
- Prerna Roy, Class of 2018
“I’m a girl who likes girls; simple as that. I’m not really sure why others see anything wrong with that. The only problem with being gay is that it’s so hard finding other people that are out.”
- Mali McHugh, Class of 2017
“I think a lot of the LGBT+ people wonder whether society will accept them or not. I believe it’s one of their biggest fears and therefore a lot of them have difficulty in coming out to their family or friends. There are still so many close minded people and while it is impossible to change everybody’s opinion, we still need to strive towards making everybody feel safe. I truly believe that while you may not understand their choices and points of view, you should still give them the respect they deserve. Giving them a safe environment to come out and express their feelings is really the best thing we can do for the community. I hope that with the Pride Week, we will be showing to a lot of students that, “It’s okay to be you.” - Rishika Daswani, Class of 2016
Doing a “Humans of LGBT” project at school - photos + captions to come! :-)