Rachael Kerr
AP English 11
December 17, 2009
The Crucible Characterization
Abigail Williams
Abigail Williams is a treacherous young woman whose appearance as the word of God conceals her devilish nature.
As she is first introduced, Abigail is beautiful with a knack of dissembling which summarizes her ability to flaunt herself and tear things apart very well. Her strong personality and overbearing pride is what allows her to bend other young women to her will. Other girls are not the only people she bends to her will; using her overwhelming beauty to lead John Proctor to adultery. In fact, this is her beginning motive for all of the “witch” non-sense. Abigail wishes so much to be with John that she will do anything to be with him: “You loved me John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet!”(Miller 24). Following his rejection, Abigail seeks her revenge and begins accusing Proctor’s wife Elizabeth of witchcraft: “She thinks to dance with [Proctor] on [his] wife’s grave!” (110). The power continues to go to Abigail’s head which leads her to accuse more and more people of witchcraft: “A wind, a cold wind, has come. Her eyes fall on Mary Warren” (108).
Abigail Williams is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. From the start, she a conniving and sly, but is unable to steal her prize--John Proctor's heart. She disguises herself as a holy follower of God, like the rest of the townsfolk, to deceive them. She walks among them, appearing like the exact opposite of what she is: innocent and pure when she is really vile and deceitful. Abigail is forever on the prowl and trying to get to Proctor. Keeping with her facade, she lashes out at other villagers in an attempt to secure John for herself.
A modern day parallel would be from the movie Coraline. In Coraline, Coraline meets her ‘other-mother’ who treats her in just the way Coraline wishes. The other-mother seems to be a great find from wonderful turn of events; however this is a gross misnomer. In the end, it is revealed that all the other-mother is after is Coraline’s eyes.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Crucible Apology Letter
December 18, 1698
Dear Elizabeth,
I know that as you are reading this right now, you are ready to counter and criticize everything I am about to say. But I beg you to open your heart and listen to what I have to say. I am not writing to defend myself or justify my actions; I only wish to apologize. I was stupid all those years ago, when I made John commit lechery. Then I sent all those people to their deaths, by my corrupt, childish vengeance. I find it hard every day to pull myself from my covers, and live with what I have done.
You have no need to punish me (though I do not blame you if it is your desire), I am already destined for Hell. No matter what I do, no matter how I change now, there is no way I can change what I did or who I was then. The demons of what I did, not only to you, John, and the townspeople, but my friends as well will haunt me for eternity. I twisted girls of a young age to become as demented as I was; how many of them will have further troubled lives because of what I did? I am still continually tormented by the extreme immaturity of my actions. I have affected so many people lives, all through one single temptation of the flesh.
I know you were angry at John, but if there was one favor I could ever ask, it is thus: Do not blame, or even be upset with John. The lechery was not even his doing! In actuality, I pressed him harder than he pressed me. I approached him and forced myself onto him, rather than the feeling being mutual. The entire ordeal was my fault, I beg for forgiveness, not for me, but for John. I lied, and by doing this I hurt someone I actually cared about.
I believe that what perhaps hurts me above all of this, is the fact that I abused a gift from God. God bestowed me with radiant beauty, a wonderful gift meant to bring joy to others, but instead I used it for personal gain. Oh how I will burn!
I do not deserve absolution for what I have done, but all I desire is that you know my sincerely apology.
Genuinely apologetic,
Abigail Williams
P.S. - I lied. Everything you just read was an out-right fallacy. I am happy that I got so many people involved; I am proud that I sent so many people to the gallows; I am exuberant that I was able to manipulate people with my beauty. Especially John. Oh, and I did not press him, he pressed me. He wanted it, he liked it. He told me that you were so frigid, he needed me! Do not think that this is the end, Elizabeth. Oh no, I have not yet finished my job. I got John, now it’s time to the rest of your family, starting with your children. See you again soon.
Dear Elizabeth,
I know that as you are reading this right now, you are ready to counter and criticize everything I am about to say. But I beg you to open your heart and listen to what I have to say. I am not writing to defend myself or justify my actions; I only wish to apologize. I was stupid all those years ago, when I made John commit lechery. Then I sent all those people to their deaths, by my corrupt, childish vengeance. I find it hard every day to pull myself from my covers, and live with what I have done.
You have no need to punish me (though I do not blame you if it is your desire), I am already destined for Hell. No matter what I do, no matter how I change now, there is no way I can change what I did or who I was then. The demons of what I did, not only to you, John, and the townspeople, but my friends as well will haunt me for eternity. I twisted girls of a young age to become as demented as I was; how many of them will have further troubled lives because of what I did? I am still continually tormented by the extreme immaturity of my actions. I have affected so many people lives, all through one single temptation of the flesh.
I know you were angry at John, but if there was one favor I could ever ask, it is thus: Do not blame, or even be upset with John. The lechery was not even his doing! In actuality, I pressed him harder than he pressed me. I approached him and forced myself onto him, rather than the feeling being mutual. The entire ordeal was my fault, I beg for forgiveness, not for me, but for John. I lied, and by doing this I hurt someone I actually cared about.
I believe that what perhaps hurts me above all of this, is the fact that I abused a gift from God. God bestowed me with radiant beauty, a wonderful gift meant to bring joy to others, but instead I used it for personal gain. Oh how I will burn!
I do not deserve absolution for what I have done, but all I desire is that you know my sincerely apology.
Genuinely apologetic,
Abigail Williams
P.S. - I lied. Everything you just read was an out-right fallacy. I am happy that I got so many people involved; I am proud that I sent so many people to the gallows; I am exuberant that I was able to manipulate people with my beauty. Especially John. Oh, and I did not press him, he pressed me. He wanted it, he liked it. He told me that you were so frigid, he needed me! Do not think that this is the end, Elizabeth. Oh no, I have not yet finished my job. I got John, now it’s time to the rest of your family, starting with your children. See you again soon.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Pride and Prejudice Assignment 2
Rachael Kerr
AP English 11
December 3, 2009
Pride and Prejudice- Assignment #2
Lady Catherine as a Critiquing Point
In the most obvious sense, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was a critique on the absurdity of the class system. She demonstrates this through a multitude of ways, but namely one of the most hated characters in the novel. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the deserving antagonist of the novel largely because of her disposition towards those of lower classes; Lady Catherine is a snobbish, haughty heiress obsessed with the class system. Although Lady Catherine is not the only character of such a high class (Mr. Darcy is practically of equal status), by using an easily-detestable character, the negative points are more easily accepted. Lady Catherine is used because of her stereotypical nature and her contrast to Mr. Darcy. By using a highly undesirable character to personify the class system, Austen establishes her critique with a more substantial impact than if she used a likable character such as Mr. Darcy.
Lady Catherine is the most bothersome, disagreeable character, which is why she is a perfect representation for the critiques of high society. Lady Catherine is a prejudice elitist who lacks manners and a legitimate reason for her status beside marriage, yet “whatever she said, was spoken in [an] authoritative […] tone, [which] marked her self-importance”(Austen 125). Here, Austen demonstrates her first few problems with upper class citizens. Firstly, towards those of the lower class, they are intensely rude no matter what kind of person they are. Secondly, they are aware of their status, and take pride in the ability to flaunt it. Thirdly, they throw their status around so as to strike fear into the hearts of the lower class. However, these are not the only ways in which Austen reveals the flaws in high class society; she also does this through juxtaposition.
Another upper class citizen would be Lady Catherine’s nephew Fitzwilliam Darcy; although related, Darcy is acts nothing like her. Darcy realizes any proud faults he has: “I was spoilt by my parents who…allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing” (282). By placing these two in the same class (nonetheless the same family), Austen not only continues her critiques, but stays away from attacking the entire class. By critiquing the entire class, Austen would be stereotyping because not everyone in upper class is like Lady Catherine. This is Darcy’s job; by introducing him in the story, Austen demonstrates that her critiques do not apply to everyone, only those who are guilty of what she expresses.
The critiques of the upper class can be listed as such: pride in and awareness of social status, stereotyping lower class, ill-will towards that lower class, and lack of legitimacy in their deserving to be in their position; Lady Catherine is the perfect personification of all of these. Austen uses a high class character that is abhorred by the reader- Lady Catherine-opposed to a high class character than can be adored by them- Mr. Darcy- so as to more evidently bring to light the upper class’s flaws. When Austen exposes Lady Catherine’s flaws, there are no doubts in any reader’s mind that she is guilty and deserves judgment, whereas if she were to use Mr. Darcy, there would be some second thoughts. Such use is a clever way to ensure that Austen’s commentary is clearly received, understood, and accepted. In addition, by introducing Mr. Darcy as Lady Catherine’s nephew, Austen authenticates her knowledge that not everyone in upper class is deserving of these criticisms. This use refutes the argument of stereotyping against her point. Both of these literary devices allow an insightful and definitive assessment of the flaws in that of the upper class elitists.
AP English 11
December 3, 2009
Pride and Prejudice- Assignment #2
Lady Catherine as a Critiquing Point
In the most obvious sense, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was a critique on the absurdity of the class system. She demonstrates this through a multitude of ways, but namely one of the most hated characters in the novel. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the deserving antagonist of the novel largely because of her disposition towards those of lower classes; Lady Catherine is a snobbish, haughty heiress obsessed with the class system. Although Lady Catherine is not the only character of such a high class (Mr. Darcy is practically of equal status), by using an easily-detestable character, the negative points are more easily accepted. Lady Catherine is used because of her stereotypical nature and her contrast to Mr. Darcy. By using a highly undesirable character to personify the class system, Austen establishes her critique with a more substantial impact than if she used a likable character such as Mr. Darcy.
Lady Catherine is the most bothersome, disagreeable character, which is why she is a perfect representation for the critiques of high society. Lady Catherine is a prejudice elitist who lacks manners and a legitimate reason for her status beside marriage, yet “whatever she said, was spoken in [an] authoritative […] tone, [which] marked her self-importance”(Austen 125). Here, Austen demonstrates her first few problems with upper class citizens. Firstly, towards those of the lower class, they are intensely rude no matter what kind of person they are. Secondly, they are aware of their status, and take pride in the ability to flaunt it. Thirdly, they throw their status around so as to strike fear into the hearts of the lower class. However, these are not the only ways in which Austen reveals the flaws in high class society; she also does this through juxtaposition.
Another upper class citizen would be Lady Catherine’s nephew Fitzwilliam Darcy; although related, Darcy is acts nothing like her. Darcy realizes any proud faults he has: “I was spoilt by my parents who…allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing” (282). By placing these two in the same class (nonetheless the same family), Austen not only continues her critiques, but stays away from attacking the entire class. By critiquing the entire class, Austen would be stereotyping because not everyone in upper class is like Lady Catherine. This is Darcy’s job; by introducing him in the story, Austen demonstrates that her critiques do not apply to everyone, only those who are guilty of what she expresses.
The critiques of the upper class can be listed as such: pride in and awareness of social status, stereotyping lower class, ill-will towards that lower class, and lack of legitimacy in their deserving to be in their position; Lady Catherine is the perfect personification of all of these. Austen uses a high class character that is abhorred by the reader- Lady Catherine-opposed to a high class character than can be adored by them- Mr. Darcy- so as to more evidently bring to light the upper class’s flaws. When Austen exposes Lady Catherine’s flaws, there are no doubts in any reader’s mind that she is guilty and deserves judgment, whereas if she were to use Mr. Darcy, there would be some second thoughts. Such use is a clever way to ensure that Austen’s commentary is clearly received, understood, and accepted. In addition, by introducing Mr. Darcy as Lady Catherine’s nephew, Austen authenticates her knowledge that not everyone in upper class is deserving of these criticisms. This use refutes the argument of stereotyping against her point. Both of these literary devices allow an insightful and definitive assessment of the flaws in that of the upper class elitists.
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