Drama Exploration Essay

During this task, we got into groups of four or five. Each of the four groups was given an Act from the play to create a statue of Proctor at contrasting moments. Proctor’s emotions varied; each statue had a very different objective, e. g. to intimidate, to plead, etc. My group, looked for lines to base our statues on in Act One. Through my statue of Proctor- I had a straight back, my arms + hands were pointed forward and I had a frown, based on the line,† be you deaf†¦ â€Å", I discovered a few things about Proctor. Because the moment I chose was one that I preformed in an angry tone, I choose an angry line: â€Å"I’ll show you a great doin’ on you arse†¦ † This line is preformed in mockery and is almost playful but, stern. I realized that Proctor is the only character so far to whom we can relate. He has a sense of humor and seems like the only character that is not constantly serious. Proctor is calm and we can visualize his entrance and aura. The fact that he has a sense of humor makes us, as the audience, like him. Group Two looked at Act Two. There were many contrasting moments. The statues that I remember did not focus on the relationship between Elizabeth and Proctor, to the extent that I would have liked. The statue that did a small investigation on how Proctor is feeling was Justin’s: Sitting on a chair, hands interlocked with a soft face and an arched back as if talking softly to someone (Elizabeth). He said his line â€Å"I mean to please you† sincerely and softly. Because of Justin’s performance, I realized that Proctor and Elizabeth are still uneasy because of the affair. Furthermore, Elizabeth is being very difficult and Proctor is trying very hard to try and get the relationship back together. Another line which comes to mind is â€Å"an everlasting funeral marches around your heart. † This is when Proctor loses his temper; Proctor has tried really hard and is lashing out because of what Elizabeth said to him. The important thing that I realized: Proctor did commit adultery but, there is a substantial possibility that it was not entirely his fault. If Elizabeth is acting this way at this point â€Å"un-cooperative and stubborn† there is a substantial possibility that she had the qualities before the affair, refining my point. Group Three looked at Act Three. During this scene that is entirely located in the courthouse, various things happen. Proctor entered the courthouse very calm: Andres portrays Proctor holding himself very high, his head is thrown back and he has his chest out, revealing the new information to the court: â€Å"She never saw no sprits sir† The tone is almost pleading; Proctor is really respectful to the Judge and he understands that he needs to keep his temper cool. I believe that Group Three covered the main moments. They chose the line where Proctor looses his temper and finally cracks- Proctor calls Abigail a- â€Å"whore†- and reveals that he has had an affair. The important thing that I realized is: Proctor has admitted his sin to the Puritan society. Proctor knows by revealing the information about his affair with Abigail he has ruined his name in Salem. The reason why Proctor has revealed the information is important: he really loves his wife Elizabeth and he would sacrifice everything for her. Proctor’s plan backfires; Elizabeth tells a lie. Group Three choose that moment: â€Å"God is dead† I realized that it’s not because Proctor does not believe in God. I realized and was reminded that Proctor says that because he believes that the events would not happen if God were looking after them: young girls should not be able to manipulate a court of grown men. Group Four looked at Act 4. At this point Proctor is broken. Proctor is shown having his life taken away; he still has his dignity. Proctor is reduced to almost nothing: he is kneeling, Proctor wanted his life. Proctor chooses to reveal he was working with the devil, because he wants to live with Elizabeth. Because of what Danforth wants from him Proctor lost his temper- Proctor is asked to sign his name to his statements. When Danforth asks him for his signature, at this point, Proctor has had enough and decided to be hung. The image, when Proctor stood tall and opposes Danforth, helped me understand something very important: Proctor is the hero of the play. Proctor chooses to die then make his friends die pointlessly. Proctor’s sacrifice: condemning himself to death instead of letting his friends die in vain. It would be so easy for Proctor to give up and live his life quietly in the farm. However, because of his sacrifice he has shown ultimate courage and goodwill. Proctor is the hero who we admire. Miller wants us to like Proctor. Proctor is human; he had an affair; we all have flaws. Proctor contrast, with other charters. Tituba was in a similar position but she broke and told lies. Proctor stood up for what is right. Proctor goes against the court and it costs him his life. Miller is trying to tell us something: Miller wants us to realize that heroes don’t always win. A hero is someone who stands up against adversity and does what he thinks is right. We repeated the same procedure with Abigail. However, Abigail had no lines in Act 2 and 4 so those two groups were forced to create images for Abigail. I was part of Group One. The statue that was shown had a lot of contrast. Abigail was shown as a girl that had different emotions depending on who she was talking too. Our group choose the moment where Abigail was threatened the other girls â€Å"a pointy reckoning that will shudder you. † I was the statue for that line. I closed my fist, as if mimicking the knife, and said my line cruelly with nostrils flaring. The audience had contrast between my line and Nicole’s: â€Å"give me a word John†¦ † This shows that Abigail changes her personality refining my first point. Nicole said the line trying to seduce John, her head was tilted back and her face was soft, the audience has to realize that Abigail has not given up on John even though she had been sacked. Furthermore, Abigail changes her personality according to the people around her. Group Two focused on Act Two. Abigail had no lines in Act Two, so the group had to invent some. The statue that I think conveyed the importance of Act Two was Enrique’s. Enrique was sitting on a chair clutching his stomach: rolled on the floor and groaned and said, as held up his hand, â€Å"a needle†. The audience has to understand that Abigail really wants to kill Elizabeth ruining her name so. Because Abigail did this and said, we are told by Herrick, â€Å"Goody Proctor sent her sprit on me† Elizabeth is taken to prison. Furthermore, John got direct and aggressive and decided to go with Mary Warren to confront the court. Group Three focused on Act Three. This is the scene where Proctor confronts the court trying to prove Abigail as a liar. The most important statue that I remember: Abigail in fright and her line â€Å"Why do you come yellow bird? † This acting by Abigail is very smart- she diverts all the attention away from her. Abigail is kneeling looking up with her hand in her hair, this makes her look venerable and we pity her. Proctor challenges her in front of the court revealing the affair, although not proven, to bring the tension away from her she chooses to make a scene. Through this acting the accusation of her innocence is forgotten, the attention is drawn to Mary Warren- Abigail is a smart girl and everything is planned in her mind. Group Four focused on Act Three. Similarly to Act Two, Miller only references Abigail not giving her any lines. The statue that I felt was most important: Abigail sobbing. Abigail had her head in her hands and said â€Å"no! He is dead†. Abigail still loves Proctor. Abigail did not want Proctor dead, only Elizabeth. As a child, Abigail can not comprehend with Proctor’s mentality. Abigail does not understand that Proctor really loves his wife, the affair was a mistake. Abigail can’t accept that Proctor does not love her. The audience has to realize that Abigail did those things not to be popular or for fun. I feel that Abigail honestly wanted to hurt people. In act 2 and 4 Abigail has no lines but is mentioned and events- Elizabeth being taken to prison- a result of Abigail. This shows her importance and how events are carefully planned by her. She did exactly what she wanted to do. She is a leader and has a lot of power. Abigail, through the menacing lines warning and threatening her friends get what she wants.