Existing societal constructs tend to be meaningless in times of conflict, those who find the ability to use the crisis to their gain, intentionally or unintentionally, will catalyse a hierarchical shift.

Anna, Elinor (good)
- ‘You, Anna, have recalled to me what my duties are [..] For you grieve, and yet you live, and are useful, and bring life to others. One does not have to believe, after all, to bring comfort to those who yet do.’
- Anna has become a figure of inspiration
- 'You are not a child, to quail at shadows, after all we have seen and done together'
- Elinor acts as a mother, teacher and friend to Anna
- '

Abigail and children (bad)
- 'Let you beware, Mr Danforth. Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn yourwits? Beware of it!’
-

Parris, Danforth
- despite their established authority, they exploit the situation to protect their reputation instead of protecting the people they lead

Mompellion, Bradfords

change in people's goodness/morality, prioritising their own needs and lives over others (exploiting the situation)
Mary Warren, Parris, Putnam, Abigail and Mercy

Mary Warren – accuses John Proctor to protect herself in the face of punishment and death

Parris, Danforth
- despite their established authority, they exploit the situation to protect their reputation instead of protecting the people they lead

- DANFORTH - abuses 'God's law' for his own benefit, instills fear within the community, while Mompellion reassures the village and draws them together

Aphra
- pretends to be Any' ghost to sell witchcraft stuff for money
- exploits the vulnerable and grieving who turn to alternate solutions when their prayers are not answered

Josiah
- digs graves before they have died to get paid
- tries to bury Christopher alive to take what they own
- takes what people own to pay for his grave digging services

change in individual strength
Anna
Proctor, Hale

·      Change

·      Crisis

 

·      “Wide green prison” – YOW

·      “She was not accustomed to sharing a doorway with servants … well, times have changed in the Bradford's’ absence.” – YOW

 

·      Hale 

-       How the hysteria changes his view on life

 

·      Mompellion

-       Begins the novel as a strongly religious rector and he loses his faith by the end of the novel because he justifies the plague as a test from god. 

 

Both Reverends Hale and Mompellion experience self-doubts and undergo a crisis of faith, although for vastly different reasons.  Reverend Hale has doubts because he so arrogantly believed that he had the answers and could expose the secret work of the devil.

In contrast to Mr Hale, Mompellion was less arrogant and worked selflessly for others.  However, after Elinor’s death he became completely demoralised and regretted what he realised was a hypocritical stance. He believed that he denied Elinor comfort and his response, did have a self-serving aspect.

·      Anna – shift in power

·      Abigail and the girls – find themselves in a position of authority

·      The change that Salem goes through only changes the actions of a few people, even though it does affect the whole community, its impact is ensconced while lessons are learnt it’s clear that the hysteria still prevails in the 1950’s due to McCarthyism.

·      Whereas in Eyam, the change is major and its impact is catastrophic. Some are “tempered and made strong” while others are ‘broken’. 

·      The change in Eyam is unmitigated whereas the change is Salem, while its impact is great, its aura and atmosphere still affects 1950’s America.

·      Whilst in Eyam the plague dies a natural death, there are nevertheless courageous people who endanger their lives.  Contrastingly, the witch-hunt shows no sign of abating as the authorities become ever more determined to resist any sign of weakness. Nevertheless, there are still many decent people who insist on their integrity.

Introduction: Individuals are at greatershit cunting but do not always suffer. Everyone suffers in Year of Wonders whilst only the powerless suffering in The Crucible. 

Paragraph 1: Individuals who suCOMMUNITY IN CRISISffer 

à Anys/Mem: 

- Any Gowdie ‘listens to her own heart rCOMMUNITY IN CRISISather than… other’s conventions.’ 

à Proctor/Rebecca Nurse 

Paragraph 2: Conformists who suffer 

à the plague does not discriminate/affects everyone 

separatists and conformist all succumb to the plague and its deadly consequences 

à Jane Martin, Mompellion 

- Jane Martin is ‘Puritan in her ways’ however she suffers throughout the plague which causes her character to breakdown and lose her faith 

- Mompellion loses his faith concluding ‘there is no God’ 

à Respectable people are accused 

- Reverend John Hale who is initially a member of the court begins to experience hardship as he believes himself to be the ‘murderer’ of the accused and thus struggles with the guilt. 

Paragraph 3: The Nature of suffering and Finding freedom in individuality 

- Hysteria 

- Fear of death/God’s punishment (bought by puritan belief) 

- Effects of isolation 

- Proctor finds freedom: can remain true to himself, forgiven by Elizabeth 

- Anna initially conformist but suffering causes her to question faith and ultimately find individuality and freedom 

Conclusion: 

Individuality can bring suffering but also freedom