"While the nuns walked around, supervising and talking to some of the more well-off parents": Nuns supervising and acting as police in society, judging others if they are poor or not well kept, religious power and control over society, power exalted of community chastising those who werent doing well in society

Bill Furlong, although raised in a 1950s Irish catholic society that relies heavily on the conformity of the masses, often displays outward signs of deep empathy for others. While other characters like Eileen is solely concerned for her family, Bills complex empathy for those around him struggling; keeping him up at night and complicating his life. Bills courageous empathy stems from the kindness he was exposed to when his mothers employer (Mrs. Wilson) who took Bill and his mother in and protecting them from the same fate as Sarah Redmond and her baby. Furlongs empathetic and caring nature makes it difficult for him to conform to societal norms and turning a blind eye to the corruption of the church. At first Furlong is only visibly concerned at the injustice and ostracizasion of disempowered individuals but once he is faced with the young girl (Sarah Redmond) locked in the convent coal shed in chapter 3 he considers taking action before he is threatened by the Mother Superior in chapter 4. Upon discovering her another time in chapter 6 and a final time in chapter 8 Furlong decides to take the girl home. By walking Sarah through the village and to his home for all to see rather than leaving her there or bringing her to the priests house Furlong challenges the churches oppressive ways by facing his fellow townspeople with the truth behind the rumours as he had to face them similar to Proctor this act of kindness is also an act of self sacrifice as, in doing this Furlong puts his and his families livelihood at risk of complete annihilation by the church.

In this society fear is used as a tool for power. Insists that fear in Salem is between good (Christ) and evil (Satan).

Courts authority is directly linked to God’s authority leaving no space for opposition or criticism. In this moment particular he uses a conspiracy against christ to be a scapegoat rather than taking accountability for the chaos and fear caused by the trials. This reinforces the court's legitimacy when it is under attack and need of protection. The actual source of fear is ignored because actually acknowledging it undermines the court's power. Religious manipulation ensures compliance through fear and damnation, discouraging questioning from the court.

Todays View:

In todays society this may seem appauling to some but if we truly take a step back and observe our world from a different angle we are also in a Salem-esc system. We must comply to certain systems that have been set up and that most of us disagree with it, but we too are forced to comply with it to avoid punishment from authorities. This play allows us to reflect on our own world and much emphasis we place upon systems and those in power.

This moment is the emotional and moral climax of The Crucible. John Proctor has been granted the opputunity to save his life although must give up his most important aspect of self. His identity. But by doing so he would be affirming a corrupt system and betraying his own integrity. He ultimately chooses truth and dies for it. The court and church are one and the same; the law is God’s law. Proctor’s refusal is therefore a direct rebellion against a system that does not tolerate dissent. It illustrates that despite all the consequenes that John Proctor may face, he still wishes to act according to his own moral compass showing that his legacy, reputation and soul is more important than his own survival. It shows how moral truth is picked over social acceptence.

In Modern Society, we look at John Proctor as someone who we respect, a person who sacrificed their life for others. It is clear that Proctor was a flawed, yet good hearted man who just wanted to the best for others. This moment allows us as readers to reflect on our lives and how we too should always choose our own morals over social acceptance.

Patriarchal society: Men detain the power within the social hierarchy, where men had knowledge and the power to control and create rules and restrictions that women would have to follow. Women had to stay in the house and look after the children, serve their husband no matter the time, day or occasion. Different view of gender roles, marriage (Look, serve and obey)

Act 1 when Abigail blames Tituba for the reason the girls were in the forest and why betty has fallen into a coma, in turn to that accusation Tituba is threatened with whipping and hanging if she doesn't confess, showing the spectral evidence of people not need evidence and to have experience visions to accuse others of witchcraft.  

→ This show once again the class different but also because Tituba is of a different race and black it is easiest to place the blame on her as she is not going to talk back to the other because it will lead her to be punished, but also because she is an easy target because no one will believe her words over Abigail’s

→While people who were black were seen as nothing more than dirt on the people's shoes and were treated as such they were house slaves and who usually were punished for the wronging of white people. 

Racism → Is the discrimination of someone by the colour of their skin and race.

‘Heathen’/’Nergo’ - Opening scene when Parris is introduced it is said that he is with his ‘negro slave’ Tituba - Class differnce but also how people of other races where described. → Show class difference ( hierarchy) by also the fact that Tituba is not really seen as a person, just someone who cleans and is seen by the colour of their skin. → Point the finger at, escape goat. 

Racism (astigmatism around race): The way different races were treated and what they could and couldn’t do within the community - restrictions ( not allowed the same luxuries or freedom as the others) - Seen as less worthy. → People who were white were seen as respectfully and people of wealth and had a high standing in society and some had high places in the community as either revends or judges (Parris and Mr.Danforth)

While Tituba who was black was seen as dirt and someone to dump the blame on if there was trouble. Act 1(Opening Scene):“She is also very frightened because her slave sense has warned her that, as always, trouble in this house eventually lands on her back”

Racial hierarchy(fear of others): Is what is used to justify oppression and the maintenance of social control through the fear of others and the outside community. →The racial hierarchy is also what makes it easy for Abigail to put the blame on Tituba and this is also what leads to the mass hysteria and the accusation of witchcraft, as she is an easy target but also because Tituba is at the bottom of the chain. 

‘Othering/Heathen’

-Concept on us and them → discrimination 

-Mistreated of a group by a large mass of people because of judgement and hatred to a particular idea or thought. 

 morality impact the individual and society?

- Laws and rules used to control what other believe and impact 

- Morality is the beliefs/principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behaviors.

Values. → Family, respect, community 

There is moral panic and moral corruption within the community of Salem.

Each character within the Crucible has a different sense of morality, whether it is they believe whole heartily in witchcraft or if they believe the business of witchcraft is entirely false  

Moral panic refers to public anxiety or alarm in response to some perceived social ill.

Moral corruption is the slow decay or erosion of ethical values and principles within an individual, organization or society. When moral corruption begins to occur it leads to the loss of trust, dishonesty and paranoia within the community, finger pointing happens and placing the blame on others rather than yourself.  → premise of what happens to the Salem community after the continuous finger pointing and blame game on others to gain either land, power or influence within the community. --> As the finger pointing escalates, the larger amount of distrust began to spread to everyone and then the only word that rules of that of the church as they used these moment of panic to spread they power and control to the community.

This moment shows how deeply the Church’s power affected society. People in the town are afraid to question what happens in the convent, and even Furlong’s wife tells him to stay quiet. The culture teaches people to obey the Church and not to interfere, even when they know something is wrong. This helps us understand how religion shaped people’s behaviour and how fear and silence allowed injustice to continue.