The Power of Religion in the film The Crucible - Essay Example

The Power of Religion in the film “The Crucible” I. Address how the context the film fits in with the larger political/historical contexts To put the film “The Crucible” in proper perspective, it is important to note that the film was actually inspired by an actual event that happened in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It was the Salem Witchcraft Trial of 1692 which precipitated the end of Witchcraft Trial in America. According to the author of the film Arthur Miller, he lent credence to the accuracy of the historical and political context of the film by admitting that the characters were portrayed as accurately as possible as they were “drawn to the best of my ability in conformity with their known behavior” (Burns, 2010). Indeed the film accurately depicted the prevailing political and historical milieu of the time. During that time, Puritans from England settled in Massachusetts and their religious background was heavily reflected in the theme of the film. The character’s particular predisposition towards religion which became the catalyst of the prosecution and legal proceeding was also the highlighted. The subtleties of fear and anxiety during that time were also revealed. It has to be noted that during that time, Salem was in perpetual fear of Indian invasion which made the village susceptible to believe that they were being punished by God with their Puritan background. The detail of the trial, along with other circumstances in the film, was understandably altered to make the film more dramatic and be commercially attractive for public viewing. For example, the main protagonists, Abigail Williams, was actually 11 year old while John Proctor was actually 60 years old when the actual event happened (McGill, 1981). With regard to the proceeding of the trial, the film was able to portray how flawed the legal process of the time. The film was able to portray how frivolous evidences such as spectral evidence or evidence based on dreams and visions become admissible in court during that time (Linder, 2009). Testimonies based on hearsays were also considered. The sitting Chief Magistrate, William Stoughton was not even qualified as a Chief Justice because he was not even a lawyer but a theologian. As a result, the office which was supposed to dispense justice became an enforcer of religion. II. Reveal whether the film presents a realistic account of the legal process for the time; In 1692, witchcraft was considered a crime and anybody who is tried for the crime will be denied legal counsel. This was adequately portrayed in the movie. The obstinacy of the magistrates in dealing with anything that has something to do with the “devil” was also dramatically highlighted. The infirmities of the legal process of the “Salem Witchcraft Trial in 1692” were also realistically illustrated in the movie. The admission of spectral evidence in court was also highlighted in the film. Indictment and execution of the accused were also carried out with only accusation, gossips and hearsays as evidence. In general, the film was able to realistically portray how an extremist religious fervor can impair a legal process and turn it into a tragedy when taken into extreme. III. Reveal if the film presents a unique understanding of how law actually works/worked versus what the law on the books as it is/was; To illustrate that the film has a unique understanding how the law actually works in the specific setting of the film “The Crucible”, the law that makes witchcraft a crime actually existed in the books as early as 1641. The enforcement and prosecution were only made twice; first in 1688 when Martha Goodwin, a local teenager, exhibited a bizarre behavior after an argument with a laundress named Goode Glover (Anon., 2011). The second incident was in 1692 of which the film “The Crucible” was based upon. In this film, the power of the religion and the church on the legal system was underscored. It revealed how religion, in the name of faith and defeating the demon, can trample justice with legions of innocent lives sent to the noose of Gallows Hill to be hanged. The legal reasoning was not based on sound evidence but rather on the interpretation of the clerics of what is admissible in court. Basic rights of the accused can be denied where mere accusation can send someone to the noose. Religion also capitalized on the prevailing fear and anxiety during that time to impose its will with the legal system as its tool. IV. Reveal if the film addresses changing views of morality and how those might/should affect the law; In addressing the changing views of morality of the play and how it might/should affect the law, it is important to note that Salem’s form of government in 1692 was a theocracy that extended to its legal system. It is also highly Puritan, an austere form of Protestantism whose value system of morality is aligned with religion and its prescribed norm (Linder, 2011). In the enforcement of its law, it is more particular in enforcing religious rigidness than promoting justice The changing views of morality and how it affected the law was portrayed by the characters by accusing each other of crimes they did not commit and exacting vengeance on their enemies. Reverend Parrish even used it to bolster his waning stature as a cleric in the community while Abigail used it to send John Proctor’s wife to jail. In effect, the law was instead used for pernicious ends instead of promoting justice and maintaining order. Morality in the film only changes when it serves a religious end or when it can be used in exacting vengeance. V. Reveal if the film addresses the challenges facing legal actors (lawyers, judges, jurors, clients) in the carrying out of their jobs. In the film, the challenge was primarily placed on the shoulder of those who were accused rather than the other legal actors because they were wrongfully accused and denied of justice. The other legal actors such as the lawyers, judges and jurors were more preoccupied in accommodating the witchcraft hysteria by indicting those who are accused by mere accusation and preserving their stature in the community (Reverend Parris). They also accommodated vindictiveness when Rebecca Nurse was hanged by mere accusation of Mrs. Putnam knowing very well that the Putnam’s desires the Nurse’s properties. They were the one who brought unthinkable challenges to those who were accused. William Stoughton, the Chief Magistrate even denied the accused of legal counsel. VI. Finally, comment on other noteworthy elements of the movie (does it use symbols of law and legal culture to promote its point of view or does it use stereotypes, and if so, to what effect). Although there were some facts that were altered from the original event, the movie “The Crucible” was faithful in depicting the essential elements of the tragedy. Arthur Miller knowing that the appointed Chief Magistrate William Stoughton was not even a lawyer, littered the film with symbols of religion instead of law and legal culture. Dialogues within and without the courtroom and were filled of religious references instead of a normal court proceeding (Eugen, 1959). The symbolism comes more in the form of the dialogue and development of events rather than visual symbolism. What happened in Salem in 1692 was not new as this has also been the case in other parts of the world such as the Inquisition in Spain. Thus, the symbolism used in the film is a stereotype as intolerance has always been a result of religious fervor gone extreme. The film made use of the most common of all stereotypes as symbolism which is religious persecution and intolerance. It took a singular stance that “either you are with God or be counted against” (Miller, 1996). Personal enemies and those who did not fit well in society were easily accused of being witches and therefore an agent of the devil. The most vulnerable member of society in the person of Tituba was the first to be prosecuted being just a lowly servant and black. One of the symbolic power of religion and church that was emphasized in the movie was when Betty, daughter of the Parris, and Ruth, daughter of the Putnam’s could not be awaken. A cleric, in the person of Reverend John Hall was called to examine Betty and started the investigation of witchcraft which later led to finger pointing and wanton accusation. The opinion of the cleric mattered when the doctor cannot explain the illness thus concluded it to be a work of the demon. Perhaps the ultimate symbolism of intolerance in the movie was when John Proctor was asked to confess to spare his life but instead cried “I declare God is dead” out of desperation that he will not get justice with how the legal system works during that time. References: Anon., 2011. Salem Witch Craft Trials of 1692. http://www.essortment.com/salem-witch-craft-trials-1692-24571.html. (Accessed August 17, 2011) Eugen Weber, Eugen 1959. Film Quarterly. University of California Press. Vol. 12, No. 4 (Summer, 1959), pp. 44-45 Linder, Douglas O. 2009. Famous American Trials: The Salem Witchcraft Trials 1962. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/sal_acct.htm. (Accessed August 17, 2011) Margo, Burns 2010. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible: Fact & Fiction. http://www.17thc.us/docs/fact-fiction.shtml. (Accessed August 17, 2011) McGill, William Jr. J. 1981. The Crucible of History: Arthur Miller's John Proctor. The New England Quarterly, Vol. 54, No. 2 (Jun., 1981), pp. 258-264 Read More