Prompt: Fear of what is different lies at the root of conflict
Score: 48/50
Statement of explanation
After reading the Crucible, I became very interested in the ways conflict affects the individual, and also the
way it affected the community as a whole. The Crucible presented various ideas about the ways conflict
affected certain characters in the play. John Proctor, the children, and the judges of Salem were particular
characters that I strongly enjoyed learning about. Each were influenced and affected by the witch hunts in
different ways and I found it very interesting that each acted upon the conflict differently. You could see this
strongly through their dialogue.
I also became very interested in the way conflict began, and what exactly would provoke conflict to arise in
the first place. It was easy to see that fear played a big role in the Crucible, in accordance to the conflict
beginning small, and then escalating. The ideas presented showed that several things could all have
contributed to the fear that ultimately escalated the Salem witch hunts in 1692.
For my writing piece, I initially wanted to write a persuasive essay or opinion article to discuss how fear of
what is different lies at the root of conflict. However, I later thought that a creative piece would in fact give a
more personal and individual view about the Salem witch hunts. I finally decided to write two creative pieces.
A letter from John Proctor to George Danforth, and a speech made by Judge Hathorne to the townspeople of
Salem. With the choice of writing in the forms of two different opposing characters from the play, I felt I was
able to show two different perspectives that would have been apparent during the time of the witchhunts, one
being for them, the other being against. I also believe that by doing this, I was able to give my audience a
better understanding of the play and of the way real people would react in times of conflict.
Since I wrote in the form of a letter and a speech, I used old English American-style language in a formal
tone, to suit the language of the 17thcentury in Massachusetts, America. My intended audience is anyone
who is interested in the Crucible or the Salem witch hunts or the ways it affects the opinions and actions of
the people during that time. In order to link my pieces to the context, I used Proctor's perspective on the
situations he encountered to influence my writing. In the same way I used Hathorne's general opinions and
actions and dialogue from the play to influence my writing as well.
The essay
Piece 1
Danforth,
(29/3/1692)
I have come to write this letter to you, in hopes that before I make way to the gallows, I'm able to speak
freely about these past events with no faction to arbitrate against my words. Havoc has broken out upon
Salem, and it is only our own selves to blame for it. You are a man of good faith and honour Danforth. I not
only wish but expect that you take away with you my words to think and ascertain for your own self, the true
inequities being done here in Salem.
We live in a world of fear Danforth, fear of what is different to us, fear of what is outside our community and
fear of what we have yet to even learn or know. Aye, I too may share the same fears, just like you or any
other member of society, but it is our fear that becomes our greatest enemy. For it is fear that overcame what
we know is right in our hearts. We are all children of God here, and we too should know it is abomination to
force death upon those who are innocent to inequity. It is only God himself that can punish those who he
knows do wrong. The Lord sees all. As a man of the church, I expect, you should know this.
Salem witches are none but accused, you see, just the cries of children that label them. The children of
Salem have become an autocracy and those who shall believe have become the partisans. What becomes
of Salem when we should lay the lives of our neighbours in the hands of children? The Williams girl is not
but a child who seeks vengeance and corrupts the young who fear her wickedness. Her only motive is to
cause grief between my Elizabeth and I. for she wants love, but is too selfish. I only see now, that I may only
have myself to blame for her misled heart.
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The children are young and yet to even mature. They do not see what misfortune is caused by their actions.
Don't you see Danforth? The witches of Salem, are nothing but formidable lies! Feared by those who fail to
see the truth. Those accused fear to stay true, as they will die if they deny. To falsely confess is to fear
death. They do not see however, their name and honour should die along with their confession. Yet, to die in
the name of the Lord, goodwill, faith and to keep thy name, what justice is that? I could not give up my name,
I shall not. It is all I have left now. I would rather die a man of God. You must see now that it is not witches
that have become in Salem, it is fear that has done so. We are all fearsome in someway Danforth. We are
only blind to this. And even so, it is only the mere words of others that provoke such havoc in a once
peaceful town. The fear of punishment is what takes us.
Tituba, the slave of Paris, she confessed to witchery because she knows she be whipped and hang if she
denied. She cry 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 is 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.
Myself and others are to be sent to the gallows tomorrow afternoon, we have stayed true to our faith,
sacrificed our lives and we only have the lives of others to speak on our behalf. Are you blind to see what
nonsense is being thrown before you? Or has fear taken you as it has taken all the rest of Salem? You must
regain order now. You are respected in Salem and the people will listen to you. You must signify to those
who abrogate, that they have served abomination and that none have trafficked or made contact with the
devil. Tell the people of Salem that it is not the devil or witchcraft they should fear, it is themselves and God.
I shall hang tomorrow with my name and my honour, as I see now it is my providence. I trust in you Danforth,
for you are a good man. I bid goodbye to you and to the people of Salem, and I beg of you, tell Elizabeth and
my sons that I love them.
Yours sincerely
John Proctor
Piece 2
People of Salem! Hear these words! I have gathered you all here this evening to make aware of events now
taking place in Salem. For those who are yet to be aware, the devil is alive in Salem!
Now before you all shall arbitrate, may I tell you here that it is in my power to make sure all works of the devil
are bidden out of our town, while we are still able to do so! Before I proceed, let me inform all who stand
before me of how this came about.
Last night our children were found in the woods dancing, and come the morning, young Betty Parris and
Ruth Putnam lie inert in their beds. Doctors are yet to have seen such conditions and we are now to believe
that witchcraft was used upon these children, as to say to us that witches are now living among us.
Furthermore, Tituba, a servant of Paris, has confessed to trafficking with the devil, and since then the
children have accused several others of being known to traffick with the devil. Now, Tituba has since been
cleansed of any sins and remains in good health, but young Betty Paris and Ruth Putnam are still inert in
their beds. Let us all pray for these children. Pray to God that he should help them wake and to also help us
fight these sinners!
We are all here under the watchful eyes of our Almighty God and let it be seen that we support our children
in all goodwill as they are pure and in faith, all children of God. I bid you all now to keep watchful eye on all
neighbours and even friends! Make it known to those around you that the eyes of God are watching. Watch
for behaviour of unusual tendencies and see that any of you who know of witchcraft among us, turn these
witches in, to hang and burn!
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These witches are messengers of the devil and should be feared in all accounts! Let them be caught before
you are caught by them. They are merciless and are an abomination! I will let it be known that all witches
caught in Salem shall immediately be sent to the gallows. We have no mercy here in Salem for those who go
against this church and against God.
I have sent for special Judge Danforth to judge all those accused. Reverend Hale, a specialist in devil's work
is also being sent to Salem to investigate the events. He shall be coming to speak to many of you. I bid you
tell him all you know, as it will help a great deal into our investigation. It is for the sake of our town now, that
in the name of God and in all your faith, we should work together to fight the witches here in Salem. I pray
now that it is not too late to defeat the devil and bring Salem back to the Lord with peace and harmony.
I be a good evening to you all! And remember, it is up to you now, keep your eyes open to all that surrounds
you
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