Rebecca Nurse: Fact Vs. Fiction :: essays research papers

In his article, Why I Wrote The Crucible, Arthur miller speaks of the 1950s which nobody seems to remember clearly- a cartridge clip of fearful insanity and unrest. Anyone could be accused. Showing excessive opposition ensured prosecution. near shrunk back from disputing the McCarthy hearings for fear of their safety. Now, this period of panic is viewed as absurd. As Miller describes Hitler as being almost comical to his generation, the modern generation sees the capital of Oregon witch trials as foolish scuffles amid ignorant people. The actual events were more different as perceived. Just as a feud with a neighbor seems trivial to those not involved but of intense defeat to the embroiled , the trials were not silly and insignificant. The trials were more about personal issues between rivals than witchcraft itself- the witchcraft was a weapon for capital of Oregonites to obtain revenge on their enemies. A tool Miller uses to show the reader this emotion is Rebecca Nurse, seve nty-year-old grandmother, wife, and value member of Salem society. Miller modifies her character in his play. Some facts go forward true in the play, others are altered, and some have been neglected altogether. What did he change, and what did he regret to? Why did Miller take such liberties with Rebeccas character in his play?Rebecca Nurse and her husband, Francis, were both well-respected people in the town of Salem Miller describes. They owned about three c acres, and after a land dispute with the Putnams, they broke away from Salem and founded Topsfield. Miller mentions that the founding of Topsfield upset the old Salemites. This is true - aberration was resented in Puritan society. The essence of Puritanism is in the intensity of the Puritans commitment to a morality, a form of worship, and a civil society rigorously conforming to Gods commandments . certain(prenominal) Puritans were saved despite their sins, while the remainder of society led lives strictly following the s aved clergys interpretations of Gods will. Salems take care, Mr. Samuel Parris, was Gods man, as unfit for this title as he may have been. Like Proctor, Rebecca and her husband no longer hungered for religion when Parris became their minister. Their disgust for Mr. Parris cut down on their church appearances. In a judgmental, religious town as Salem was, even an unpleasant minister was no excuse to avoid church. A few Salemites resented the Nurses for their rise in social status as their lands stretched through town.