Appendix- What Is It Good For?
How does The Crucible "Appendix/Act II Scene 2" that we read impact your thematic understanding of the drama and its two primary characters- John and Abigail? Should it be included in each production or reading of the drama? Why? Defend your position using textual evidence. Please respond to this blog post by 2:30p.m. on Wednesday, October 20th.
posted by Greg T at Monday, October 18, 2010
30 Comments:
The "Appendix/Act II Scene 2" gives the reader a better understading of the different levels Proctor and Abigail are on. John says he comes friendly when Abigail asks, but it is apparent that he has an underying motive. Although his motives differed before, he is now putting his wife before anything else. Abigail seems to still be caught up in the relationship they once shared. By telling John that he is the only good person left, she shows her intentions. I think that it should be included in the reading of the drama because it looks into their so far questionable relationship. Also, Abigail gives more insight into her case she is building to get other citizens of Salem prosecuted. For example, Geoege Jacobs has supposedly been rapping her arm with a stick. I am curious to find out what Abigail meant by saying she will save John in court tomorrow.
This comment has been removed by the author.
This comment has been removed by the author.
After reading the Appendix, I was able to grasp a much better understanding of the relationship between Abigail and John Proctor, how it led to the tensions between the two, and between John and his wife Elizabeth. John proves himself as a liar by expressing his journey to see Abigail with one reason and then fighting for a completely different cause. However, when John lies this time, he is doing it for the well being of himself and his family, specifically his wife. Abigail also portrays the character of a liar as she explains that she will go to great lengths to "save" John, which means in my opinion get him back for herself. John goes to bat for his wife and starts to prove himself which changes the way that I view his character. This piece of text should definitely be included in the actual play because it goes into more detail of why Abigail accused Elizabeth of witchery and serves as an explanation for what may happen in Act 3.
I think that this section of the crucible is meant to expose the tension between Abigail and John Proctor to the readers. It is made clear in the beginning of the play that Abigail is in love with John Proctor, but it is not until this point in the play that we learn exactly why this is. In this scene, we learn that the love is composed of lingering emotions and not just a strange obsession. It is interesting that Abigail says that she comes friendly when really she does not, but more interesting to me that John Proctor even has this conversation with her. In my opinion, this was meant to show that John Proctor may have a few lingering feeling towards Abigail as well. When he says, "I have thought to come to you many times." it may have been a way of Arthur Miller showing that John still does think about Abigail at least on occasion. I think that although this scene has some strong language and content, it really shows a lot about what is to come in the following scenes and acts. If this scene was to omitted from productions of this play, the relationship between Abigail and John would be less known to the public and therefore be very confusing. It would be obvious that Abigail loved John, but completely unknown that he might still have feeling for her.
This section is beginning to show Proctors and Abigail's true hearts and true intentions. In the beginning of the play we are told that Proctor and Abigail have had realations however it was to an extent. In this section we learned how serious those feelings were and that they were not just coming from Abigail's side but also form Proctor. The true hearts and intentions of Abigail and Proctor are not turning out to be good, they are not as pure as we maybe once thought.
The Crucible "Appendix/ Act II Scene 2" impacts my understanding of the drama between John and Abigail. I found that John has good intentions toward Abby yet has some questions that he would like to be revealed. With Abigail I found her to be trusting of John and still very much attatched to him. I understood that John had good intentions when Abby asked him how he had come and he said, "Friendly." meaning he would do no harm. Throughout the rest of "Appendix/ Act II Scene 2"" he shows concern for her by asking her questions off of what she is telling him such as when she talks about herself suffering he asks her how she suffers. With Abby I saw how she had trust in John by telling him her feelings and emotions towards things. I think that this should be included in each production or reading of the drama because it emphasizes the true character of John and Abigail. The way John treats Abigail at the beginning with his gentle spirit demonstarting his good intentions and represents how he acts when he is angry. With Abigail it demonstrates her attatchment with John and her potential of being dangerous to others.
The Appendix/Act II Scene 2 impacts the thematic understanding because it gives much more information on the situation and the tension and relationship of John and Abigail specifically. We learned that Abigail has the motive to clear out all hypocrites with her stories like the spirits of Goody Proctor stabbing her and George Jacobs hitting her with his stick. She thinks God has told her to rid the world of everyone but John Proctor. She has false intentions and clearly she wants to be his wife and kill not only Goody Proctor but many others. At the beginning of this scene John Proctor seemed as though he was not set with his decision. He wanted to visit Abigail just to talk, but as the scene continued he became angrier with her and her nonsense. He tried to warn her and make it so that both his wife and Abigail would be safe, but he realized that he would have to choose one or the other. He chose to defend his wife and testify against Abigail in court. I don't think it should be included in each production or reading because it is more interesting and engaging for the reader when they have to try to figure out what goes on. Too much information and the reader’s imagination and interpretation is taken away.
after reading the appendix of act 2 scene 2 the reader gets to understand more abotu the true relationship between abigail and john proctor. even though john andabigail so called touched , john is now more commited to his wife. i highly think that this should be included in the reading because it gives people a brighter underrstandig of the true facts of john procter and abigail.
It clears up a lot of confusion which could be a reason for adding it to play as well as keeping it out. It proves that Abigale and Proctor did have a very serious relationship and that Abigale has begun to believe her own lie. It is as if she has been telling herself what she wants to be real that she is truly starting to believe it herself. At some point I think the town has to realize that not everyone is guilty, but it is the one accusing everyone else who is truly the guilty one.
This reading answered many of my questions about Procter and Abigail’s relationship, and actually proved my assumption of the two to be wrong. This reading revealed that Abigail was not the only one with feelings, but Procter too clearly has feelings about Abigail back, something which isn’t shown until this reading. We are shown this when Procter admits to questioning if he should go back to her and we also can see this through the immense amount of concern he is showing for her when she admits to be “suffering”. I find it interesting that their relationship is only hinted at in the actually play because I can see where information like this would be beneficial in the actual play.
Appendix/Act II Scene 2 proved my hypothesis between John Proctor and Abigail incorrect. This reading revealed that beside the obvious fact that Abigail has strong feelings for John Proctor, he also has feelings for Abigail as well. This is proved when John Procter admits that he did have feelings for Abigail and wonders if he should go back to her. His feelings for her are also proved when he feels so much sorrow for Abigial after finding out that she has been suffering without him. I think this is very informative and should be put into the play, because it clears up all questions between the two on what happened and what is still going on between Proctor and Abigail.
I hate to sound like a broken record, with reading the appendix it uncovers and penetrates the relationship between Abby and John. This whole play is just so strange and this charcter Abby just has an unhealthy crush, and although John has some feelings, this whole situation is going out of hand.
When we read the "Appendix/Act II Scene 2" we began to reveal more truths about how John Proctors relationship with Abigail, and how that not only affects him, but how it is affecting his family especially His wife, Elizabeth. We see how Abigail may be sabotaging Goody Proctor, like how the poppet given to Elizabeth happened to have a needle in the exact place that Abbey got stabbed with a needle, and being outright accused of being with the Devil by Abbey in court. This is a huge part in the play because it shows how the girls may also be lying about seeing certain people they may not like with the devil. It could be a foreshadow about what may come in following acts, with false accusation. I believe this act is vital in the play because it leaves readers with multiple questions going into act 3. What will happen to Elizabeth? , How will John approach Abbey?, Who else may be falsely accused? It also set us into what the girls accusing are really thinking when they do this in the court.
This comment has been removed by the author.
It just demonstrates how nutty Abigail actually is and how John is progressively changing throughout the play in a more positive, ethical way. Although they were "special buds" in preface, John realizes his morals lie with his wife and children. Additionally, Abigail's wacky, deranged mind is undoubtedly present now to the reader and to John. Can you say unhealthy, obsessive crush? Furthermore, their current relationship status is unearthed and palpable in the Appendix, therefore significant to include for better understanding.
This part really shows the true characters that John and Abigail really are. John is becoming a very different person while Abigail is still seeming quite crazy and paranoid. Procter knows he must change how he has been living and be more loyal to his family. This part really demonstrates how wacky Abigail has become as well.
After reading the appendix, my thoughts became more detailed about the characters, Abigail and John, as well as the relationship that they once shared. The appendix helped me establish a better look on the personalities as well as other traits that John and Abigail have either had all along or have acquired throughout the story. It is apparent that the two of them had a relationship at one time, and Abigail still seems to be caught up in the idea of a relationship with John Proctor and will do anything to win his heart, such as help him in court, to prove her affection for him.
I think that it should definitely be included in each production. we only have one scene so far between Abigail and John and it showed us the basic idea of how their relationship is, but I think this gives us a better understanding as to where they stand after, what seems like a long time, there fling happened. Proctor tells her that he is not afraid to let everyone know what a "fraud" she is and that he "will tell them why" it happened. He seems to have no more shame. This supports the understanding that I had of the theme all along, that Abigail is deceiving and she is causing unnecessary drama in the society. She will eventually be figured out.
The Appendix/ActII tells the reader about the different personalities that Abigail and John can have towards different people. At first, John didnt want anything to do with his wife Elizabeth and he didnt know how to carry on a conversation with her. However, in act 2 he becomes very worried about her and sticks up for her when she is "arrested" and goes to court. Also, Abigail can put fear into many of the girls but when she gets around John its all different because she is trying to get him to like her and to leave his wife Abigail. I think that the other wanted to show you the two different levels and attitudes that these characters have towards others.
After reading the appendix of Act Two, we are given a deeper understanding about the relationship of John Proctor and Abigail. It express’s deeper truths about their past and how they are almost trying to use blackmail each other. Abigail seems like she is just trying to make her story sound real and she wants John to feel like she has control over him. John is straightforward and makes a point to Abigail that he has proof and is willing to tell the court about her secret. There is a great amount of anger between the two of them and Abigail seemed like she was trying to twist things around. From this section we can see how Abigail still feels for John, but she is till not willing to except his wishes. She try’s to act like nothing is wrong at first, but deeper into the scene she shows her true manipulation of the situation. I think that this scene should be included into each production or reading of this drama because it gives us a deeper understanding about the two characters and how they have changed. For example John say’s “ If you do not free my wife tomorrow, I am set and bound to ruin you, Abby.” (151) I think that we are able to see a major change in John Proctor from this scene.
The relationship between John and Abigail should be included in the production. In act two scene two it shows that there was a lot more to the relationship between John and abigail then what was thought in the beginning.
The "Appendix/Act 2" really gives the reader more knowledge of the relationship between Proctor, Abigail, and Elizabeth. It deepens the views of the characters as well as the situation. For example, without reading the "Appendix" I would not have gotten a closer look on this situation. I did not know that Proctor was completely over Abigail and now only wanted his wife, Elizabeth. Yes, he wanted to help both of them but because of Abigail's annoyance and anger he realized that he would have to choose only one or the other and he chose Elizabeth. I think that this shows John's real character. He knows that his family and Elizabeth are the most important thing to him at this time. However, Abigail believes that Proctor is the only person for her. She has rather hatred feelings toward everyone else and admits that the only person she wants/needs is John Proctor.
The Appendix/Act II scene 2 shows a different side of John and Abigail's relationship then the Crucible. In the Crucible it shows John not having feelings for Abigail anymore while she still yearns for him. In the Appendix it reveals that John still does care for her but he knows he must be loyal to his wife and can not betray her again, especially because she is in jail because of him. Telling Abigail that he will sell her out seems like a very difficult thing for him. I think this should be included in the text because without it we see John as a completely different character then he is. This also shows what he is dealing with and what he has to overcome.
The Appendix/Act ll Scene 2 impacts my understanding of the relationship between John and Abigail. It shows that Abigail still has deep feelings for John and that John unlike Abigail is completely over her and only wants his wife. John tried to talk to Abigail and help both of the girls, but once he learned more of Abigail's intentions he realized that he could only help one of them, and he chose his wife. I do not think the appendix should be included in all of the acts because it gives to much away and doesn't leave the reader to wonder.
After reading this excerpt it helps the understanding of Johns and Abigail’s relationship. It shows how John may have once loved Abigail but now he is thinking of his wife. He comes to Abigail to talk to her about his plan if she continues to lie about his wife. He is going to put his wife above himself. He is willing to give up his reputation to save her. Abigail clearly thinks she is doing John a favor. Abigail says, “Never in this world! I know you, John you are this moment singing secret hallelujahs that your wife will hang!” This quote shows how Abigail thinks she and John will be together after his wife hangs. She things she is doing him a favor. Also in the texts she says “I will make you such a wife when the world is white again!” She thinks her and John will be married when Elizabeth dies. John clearly doesn’t love Abigail anymore but I don’t think he has the courage to confess his affair to the court.
The Appendix shows me that Abby and John had a more intense relationship than we thought. Abby shows her heart to John and he seems kind to her. I don't think it should be included in the drama because without it the play continues. Although it helps to depen your knowledge, the play is fine without it.
The Appendix shows me that Abby and John had a more intense relationship than we thought. Abby shows her heart to John and he seems kind to her. I don't think it should be included in the drama because without it the play continues. Although it helps to depen your knowledge, the play is fine without it.
After reading the crucible "Appendix/Act II Scene 2" i ferther understand the drama going on between the two main characters abigal and John Proctor. I believe that the drama should be indluded into each production becasue it shoe the seriousness of the problems going on in salem with all the witches.
After reading the appendix I can now see clearly that, how mad Abigail is. He is crazy. Even after John tells her what he will do, she laughs it off. I don't understand why they would put this in the book, maybe so the reader thinks Abigail has no idea what is coming.
Post a Comment
<< Home