Christian Israelite community Essay

The first main event that we learn of is the moment when the prophet informs the Christian Israelite community in Ashton that, â€Å"The Lord has instructed me to take of your number, seven virgins for comfort and succour†. Leah is the first girl who speaks to us, and the reader can find a somewhat humorous side to the event. Leah’s language in this, her first time of talking to us, makes her seem younger than she is; as she tries, â€Å"not to giggle†, she takes the information, and reacts to it as though it were gossip. Leah writes in the present tense; this gives the reader insight into her feelings at the very moment that she felt them, rather than looking back detachedly on what she felt. It is from Leah that we gain the first view of Mr Wroe who is â€Å"powerful†, at this point we do not know just how powerful, but later events give more supporting evidence of this comment. Leah also shows the reader how religious the sect was; she is unsure as to whether or not they would â€Å"make us pray all day†. Also we learn of how women were treated, Leah is locked in her room and guarded, and the girls do not have a choice over whether to go to Southgate – their parents offer them to the prophet. Joanna gives us a very religious view of the calling of the virgins, and other people may have also felt the same as she did about Mr Wroe and the sect. Joanna shows us that at this time in history, women were not really involved in religion, particularly within the Christian Israelites; she is thankful that â€Å"this is the sign the women are not forgot†. The event of selection shows that the women were indeed not forgotten, but being women they were forced to attend, and some â€Å"had to be clasped and held secure†. The severity of the women’s reactions to this event was great, and Ann Taylor (one who was chosen), tried to kill herself because she did not wish to join the Prophet’s household. Hannah sees this event differently to the others as she is an outsider, and unaccustomed to the rituals and beliefs of the Christian Israelites. However, both she and Leah show us that at this time, daughters were seen as a burden to their parents because they had to be married off and of course could not carry on the family name. Leah recognises that the girls’ parents would not â€Å"give the prophet a pretty daughter† who could easily be married, and Hannah feels as though she has been â€Å"handed over† to a crazy sect predicting the end of he world, with â€Å"less heart searching than they would undergo in parting with crust to a beggar†. Hannah is non-religious and also gives us a detached view of the prophet – whom she dislikes at first. She feels he’s rude and that the sect is primitive in their customs, particularly the elders who â€Å"resemble tribesman†. Hannah feels that she has been given â€Å"into the care of a lunati c band of would -be ancient Jews†. Rogers also goes into some detail about how Wroe spread the word about the Christian Israelites to the surrounding areas of Ashton. He used the girls to draw attention by their strange dress and, Hannah shows the reader how much power and influence he had on people. Rogers probably could not have known whether he had a deep attractive voice or not but she would have known that many converts joined the Christian Israelites and it was his charismatic leadership that caused this. Rogers gave Wroe characteristics that she felt would fit this role and make him seem (as far as possible), as he probably would have been. These views give us a good idea of what was involved at the beginning of this historical event. Although Wroe may have completely believed that what he was doing had religious significance, but we also see that his ideas, particularly around the seven virgins were verging on the surreal. Rogers uses this event to create literature by using both fact and fiction, bringing events in history into view and giving the reader a greater understanding of them. Like Rogers, Miller focuses on certain characters, as there are many characters in ‘The Crucible’ some play a larger parts in disclosing the events than others. Abigail seems to begin the hysteria by leading the girls into the forest and causing Betty to become â€Å"frightened and then she fainted†. John Proctor, Tituba, and Rebecca Nurse give evidence of three different views on the threat and outcome of being arrested. Also Reverend John Hale, who changes his mind about the alleged witchcraft in Salem. The other characters also give the reader information about events throughout the play; they show the reader how people were affected by the event. Lives stopped with the number of people in prison; land was going to waste and people found excuses not to work. For example Mary Warren, who neglects her duties to the Proctors claiming that she is â€Å"an official of the court†. Reverend Parris has a breakdown, and there is doubt as to who owns what because so many were dead. This was dire for the people of Salem, as due to the time, their survival leaned on that which grew on the land. With everything neglected, people were worried; rumours of rioting were spread to help to discontinue the court’s dictatorship. The three characters mentioned earlier as giving the reader an impression of the events, show three different reactions. Rebecca Nurse is very faithful to her religion, but will not become caught up in the hysteria; and when she herself is accused, she will not confess, â€Å"It is a lie; how may I damn myself? I cannot†. Rebecca Nurse is one of the most respected members of the community and her execution is part of the final crescendo in the play. Tituba takes a different viewpoint. She does not want to be punished or executed, and finds that pleading innocence only worsens her situation. She accepts the accusations and confesses, realising that lying would be the only escape, â€Å"I tell him I don’t desire to work for him†. Tituba may have been blamed for the girls’ behaviour because she was black, and a slave. An easy target for blame; black people were not socially accepted except as slaves, and were considered untrustworthy. John Proctor is probably the central character in the play, particularly in the fourth act, in which he attempts confession, but cannot name his friends; he is loyal and won’t lie to hurt them. This shows a view that is more sensible and although he is executed, Proctor tries to stop the court by admitting to his adultery with Abigail. But what really causes him to decide to give his life is that when the judges make him sign his confession they will publicise it. Proctor is distressed by this as, â€Å"I have given you my soul; leave me my name!†