The edge of the wilderness was close by. The American continent stretched endlessly west, and it was full of mystery for them. It stood, dark and threatening, over their shoulders night and day, for out of it Indian tribes marauded from time to time, and Reverend Parris had parishioners who had lost relatives to these heathen" (Miller 5).
What role does this "edge of the wilderness" play in the lives of the characters so far?
16 comments:
The edge of the wilderness so far kind of represents the people and how their comfort zone with one another is limited already, but with the myserious illnesses beginning,people are starting to get scared of what can happen, what is causing this,and if there are things beyond the "wilderness" or beyond what they know and have been taught. It makes them afraid for what they do not know, and are afraid to study the illnesses and rather would bring other excuses as the problem, in this case, it's witches. Anyone understand?
I agree with Kjerstin. The people are afraid of the wilderness, and they have a limited knowledge of anything outside of their own little social bubble. They are afraid to venture out into the "wilderness" of their town, and in their lives. Basically, anything different from what they know is dangerous and therefore wrong.
So far, the "edge of the wilderness" plays the role of uncertainty in the lives of the characters in The Crucible. In the town of Salem, everything is set to the Puritan ways and the edge of the wilderness represents different ways other than the Puritan way. Unknown things that lay within the edge of the wilderness threaten their way of life. I think it also discourages them to think that not all people are Puritans so Abigail, Betty, Tituba, and all of the other girls would use the wilderness as their safe-haven to be away from the strict rules of the town. It was also a place for them to do what they liked, such as perform witchcraft. :]
To me, it seems like the edge of the wilderness is kind of a daunting figure that isolates the people of Salem. In a literal sense, people could walk through the wilderness and arrive on the other side. But in the story, it seems like the forest is more macabre, especially because of what the girls did in said forest.
The edge of the wilderness represents like kjerstin said their comfort zone but also what they do not know. The girls and Tituba were in the wilderness when they were found performing the spirit awakeening serimony and dancing. The town of Salem did not understand any of this and why they would do such a thing. The Wilderness symbolizes a boundry which on the other side lies what they do not know or understand.
I agree with jordan. I think that the woods are a safe haven for all those that are looking to do things that are scorned upon by the rest of society, which makes society fear them. I think that this is similar to the girls that are acting strangely. They are not conforming to society, so society fears them and goes on the witch hunt.
Hey there everyone! Gasp, it's me posting for the first time in history on the CORRECT hour as opposed to the 6th hour blog! Hooray hooray!
Well, I agree with what has been said thusfar. To paraphrase: the wilderness represents comfort zones of citizens of Salem, the unknown, and uncertainty.
I also think that the wilderness represents the "dark side" (cue Darth Vadar breathing, laughlaugh)inside every character of The Crucible. In a larger sense, the wilderness inside of everyone is their deeper side, the sin or secret they seek to hide from others. I think that by attempting to light the literal wilderness in Salem, and discover witchcraft in others, the townspeople are attempting to distract from the darkness inside themselves.
Hey, that's all from me! I hope to see you all in class tomorrow, and also at the homecoming game Friday and the PARADE Saturday! Just so you all know, the Drama Club is making an AMAZING FLOAT. To miss out on it would be the tradgedy of the year, so be sure to come! (Oh, and the drama 'Our Town' opens in October! It's a must see smashing hit;)
I believe that the edge of the wilderness being described as nearby represents the temptation to succumb to the power of evil that hovers over the people of Salem. In "Young Goodman Brown" the wilderness can be interpreted as evil, and when Goodman Brown enters the forest, he begins to be consumed by evil. This connects to The Crucible because the girls were found dancing in the woods, and the townspeople avoid entering the woods as much as possible. Also, the hovering temptation to lash out against each other is felt by several of the townspeople, and the woods symbolize the inevitable cruelty that will overtake Salem eventually.
Reading your responses makes me quite excited to show you "The Village" (the wilderness in the film represents many of the same topics you're discussing here). I also see the wilderness in "The Crucible" symbolizing seduction; as Abigail attempts to seduce Proctor into loving her, the entire town is somewhat seduced by the excitement of witches and trials, and perhaps the wildly alluring "unknown" of the wilderness represents this temptation.
Also, a round of applause to all you early birds who finished your comments before the end of the school day.
I agree with what Jimmy and Kjerston said about the wilderness representing the people of Salem's comfort zone. They are all powerful while in Salem, but once you get to the forest, they are small and powerless. I think that is one of the reasons that Parris didn't like the girls dancing in the forest, because he felt like he didn't have as much authority in the unknown as he did in Salem.
I think the "edge of the wilderness" is an isolation tactic. It cuts Salem off from other areas, and it holds danger, such as raiding tribes. It is representative of their fear of the unknown, alomst a metaphor for witchcraft, and the going on with the children in the village. They do not understand why they are behaving so strangely, it is unknown to them, and therefore scares them. The "edge of the wilderness" is the line between what they know to be comfortable and safe, and what they don't know. It is their fears and their limits.
I agree with everything that has been said thus far. Like kjerstin said, I believe that the "edge of the wilderness" represents the comfort zone of the characters. Let us not forget that the girls were caught participating in witchcraft in the woods. In this Puritan society, things are meant to be done a certain way, and once anything happens out of the ordinary, the society can't function. The people are afraid of anything different, which is what the wilderness represents.
The "edge of the wilderness" also represents the unknown to the characters. Just as they know nothing of what lies beyond the edge of the wilderness, they no nothing outside of their Puritan society. It is unknown, and therefore wrong.
I agree with Ms.Leclaire too, not only because she is such a great teacher, but also because she makes a very interesting point. The wilderness, like the witch trials, excites the people of the town. The wilderness is a place where the people, particularly the young girls, could escape and have fun. Like we discussed, the girls needed some source of a thrill in their life; a thrill that the wilderness could provide. In this sense, the wilderness represents an escape from their society.
Does that make sense?
And also, I speak for all people who posted after school, I think we deserve a round of applause too because we are all equal in my eyes.
The edge of wilderness is almost the undiscovered world. From a different perspective, i think that the edge is the breaking off point. The girls go there because of the lack of rules and the uncertainty of the land. The edge of wilderness seems so close yet so far away in the play. The characters escape the bounds of Salem because of the unknown land. Yet they almost feel the need to rebel and run free. They are virtually animals that just want top run free, but they are caged in.
That sounds slightly cheesy, but i think that it describes this very well.
I agree the most with what Hannah said. Because the woods are out of the direct control of the Puritan society they are dangerous in that people can do whatever they want there. We see this with the girls and I must wonder what other "wrongdoing" goes on in the woods. So the woods as temptation is very accurate.
I have to agree with Brian that I am a great teacher and I do make a great point!
Also, all of you do deserve a rousing round of applause for your timely and fantastic comments.
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