Crucible As A Hero Essays - Salem Witch Trials, The Crucible

Crucible As A Hero A tragedy should bring fear and pity to the reader. A man in this tragedy not should be exceptionally righteous, but his faults should come about because of a certain irreversible error on his part. This man should find a bad or fatal ending to add to the tragedy of the story, for this man in the tragic hero. The protagonist John Proctor portrays a tragic hero in The Crucible; his hamartia of adultery causes great internal struggles, he displays hubris by challenging authority, and he encounters catastrophe through recognition and reversal. John Proctor's decision to betray his wife causes internal struggles and ultimately leads to his catastrophe at the end of the drama. Hamartia is the primary error of the tragic hero which provokes part of his misfortune. Proctor's serious mistake of adultery delivers problems with Abigail Williams and indirectly causes his jailing. Abigail is a grown young woman, and yet she is an orphan who mistakes John Proctor's sex for true love. When Proctor tells Abigail that the relationship can no longer continue, the girl becomes angry and sorrowful (1098). In order to prove Abigail's sinfulness and to discredit her in front of the court, Proctor proclaims that he had an affair with this evil child. The outraged court officials summon Elizabeth Proctor to find the truth. When asked about her husband, Elizabeth's soul is twisted, for reporting the truth could destroy her husband's reputation, but lying means breaking her solemn oath to God. Because she is selfless, Elizabeth chooses to lie and save her husband, but perhaps condemn herself to hell for such a sin. This scene indicates dramatic irony, for Proctor knows that which Elizabeth is not aware of, and this is that he has already "confessed it" (1148). The court jails Proctor; Elizabeth Proctor's selfless act backfires. Proctor's hamartia of adultery indirectly causes his jailing and gives him the reputation of a liar. The court views his real truth as a lie and believes he defies authority. Although John Proctor does not truly defy authority in this scene of the play, for he tells the truth and his wife lies, he challenges control in many other instances. John Proctor exposes hubris through his hate of Reverend Parris. Hubris is placing ones self equal to authority or to God, and it is a necessary trait of the tragic hero. John Proctor proclaims that he does not go to Church, an act the court and townspeople view as a revolt on the supremacy of God, because the Reverend Parris is corrupt. Parris is greedy and cares more about the sake of his reputation that the health of his own daughter. Proctor resents the Church because Parris runs it. In the eyes of officials, this casual negligence of God turns Proctor into an unchristian, sinful rebel. Though Proctor's reasons for disregarding the Church are quite reasonable, people do not accept them in this time of devils and evil. The tragic hero not only places himself as an equal of God, but as an equal of court authority as well. John Proctor insults the court by tearing up a search warrant, and officials later accuse him of trying to overthrow the court because of his controversial evidence against Abigail and the girls. When Herrick and Cheever appear at the Proctor home to capture and take away Elizabeth Proctor for witchcraft, Proctor vigorously protests, for he knows that Abigail Williams created a scheme in order to get rid of his wife. John Proctor does not tolerate this; because he is a tragic hero, he does not allow another soul to suffer for his mistake. As a challenge to court authority, he tears up the search warrant (1127). This act escalates the war between Proctor and the court. Proctor will go to the extreme, even if it means punishment by death, in order to save his wife. Proctor delivers to the court his statement that Abigail and the other girls are frauds. He has no desire to bring forth this information because he knows it will simply anger Abigail and most likely ruin him because of Abigail's power. His statement is necessary, though, to the salvation of his wife. When Danforth hears John Proctor's shocking revelation that the girls are frauds, he is outraged and so dismisses this evidence as an attempt to overthrow the court (1134). Danforth feels he must choose Abigail's argument over that of Proctor's, for otherwise the townspeople might view Danforth as a murderer because of his orders to execute those people

Insecure Writers, Heres Your Support Group

Insecure Writers, Heres Your Support Group Insecure Writers, Here's Your Support Group! - An Interview with Alex J. Cavanaugh Author communities, groups, forums, alliances and collectives are developing and proliferating at enormous speed as writers seem to be both excited by the new publishing world and worried it’s gotten too big and competitive to navigate on their own.Some groups focus on the writing, and have their members critique and hone each other’s writing skills. Others focus on the publishing options, and particularly the DIY one. Many mix both.When I first heard about the Insecure Writers Support Group, I liked the fact that it was both targeted (it’s for insecure writers) and open to all (mainstream, hybrid, indie). By clearly stating its purpose, IWSG fosters more transparent and open conversations around it.Today, we interview Alex J. Cavanaugh, sci-fi author and founder of IWSG.Hi Alex, great to have you here. Firstly, how did you start the Insecure Writers Group?Thanks, Ricardo! I started it after making a random comment to another author that he needed such a group. T he idea caught fire and in September 2011, we launched the group. Everyone posts the first Wednesday of the month, either about their insecurities, breakthroughs, or triumphs, and then they visit other blogger to encourage them. In September 2013, we launched the IWSG website and the IWSG Facebook group. Last year we joined forces with another Facebook group and formed the IWSG Critique Circle and we put together a book, The Insecure Writer’s Support Group’s Guide to Publishing and Beyond.There is a clichà © that all authors are insecure about their writing, at least in their early years. Do you think there’s any truth behind that?Absolutely! Writing is such a personal and creative thing, and we all have doubts about our abilities. I’ve yet to meet a writer who thought he rocked right out of the box.What’s your ambition for IWSG? You’ve added a lot of resource materials and some conversations are now more focused on tips and tricks for writ ing, marketing and publishing (as is the case in most author communities). Do you want to keep the â€Å"support† as core value in the group, or do you see it branching out?The tips and tricks are all part of the support. We can provide support through those posts and the database we maintain.I want to see this group grow on all fronts – blog participants, followers, and Facebook members. I want the site to become THE database of databases for writers. I’d also like to start a newsletter in the near future. Whatever we can do to connect authors and offer help.Orna Ross has been quoted saying: â€Å"A few years ago, writing was a very solitary profession. Now, I believe it’s one of the most social ones.† Is IWSG a good example of that?One of the best! Many members say IWSG post day is their favorite of the month and they receive so much encouragement – and give it. We’ve brought together so many writers, connecting them as friends, cri tique partners, and doorways to other opportunities.Do you think a lot of fantastic writing has never seen the light of day because writers didn’t get the moral support they needed when they doubted themselves?I’m sure there is some great writing hidden in the drawers of the world. It’s sad when writers don’t get support at home and can’t find connections elsewhere. Yes, you do have to have a thick skin and a strong drive, but everyone needs a boost now and then.Have you ever had to face writer’s block or self-doubt, and how did you overcome those?I’ve not really faced writer’s block. By the time I begin writing, I’ve had months to plan and form a detailed outline. Self-doubt has come with each new book I’ve written. Will my publisher accept it? Will fans like it? Will new fans find it? Between my fan base, friends, and the IWSG, everyone has pushed me through those doubts.I like the image of the lighthouse. Itâ⠂¬â„¢s one we’ve been using at Reedsy too. I feel like the waters of self-publishing are very unsure at the moment, almost impossible to navigate without first going through a very painful learning curve. What problems out there would you like to see startups like us try to address?I think letting writers know the process and the steps from writing to publication would give them an idea of what to expect. Just being able to connect with those who can help them is a big bonus with your site.One of our coming posts will be on author bundles. Do you think, like Mark Coker, that 2015 will be the year of collaboration between indie authors?I think it’s already happening. I know many self-published authors who have gotten together and created bundles. It’s a great way to gain more exposure.One of the things I’d really like to see, also, is more collaboration between indies, hybrids and mainstreams. Do you see something like this happening anytime soon, and what form could it take?I’d like to see that as well. The IWSG book was a collaboration, as we had a mixture of all three types of authors. I think the main thing would be working together and helping one another, and that could involve a lot of things – books, websites, tours, etc. After all, no matter the path, we’re all authors.Thanks again for the opportunity, Ricardo!You can follow Alex J. Cavanaugh, Reedsy, and myself on Twitter: @AlexJCavanaugh, @reedsyhq  and @RicardoFayetWhat do you personally think of the proliferation of communities, groups and alliances? Has being an author become one of the most social professions? Do you think insecure writers can benefit from a â€Å"support group†? Do join the conversation in the comments below!