How does Miller portray Proctor in this extract? Essay

The opening stage directions from this protract immediately show the wit of the play, and the extreme tension that the characters are under, It is as though they are stood in a spinning world. It is beyond sorrow, above it. This shows us that the play has reached the result of crisis, and that the situation is now totally out of control. The metaphorical language miller uses here emphasises the tension, and the huge emotion of the moment.The first talk in the extract is a conversation between monitor lizard and his wife. The speech has a picayune tension to it, as they discuss Elizabeths pregnancy, although from this tension we can charm that there is an underlying intimacy. Miller achieves this effect by using unmindful prison call and responses such as The child? and It grows. This emphasises the tension between the two although the subject area is unity of unity showing their intimacy. While Elizabeth is talking to her husband she is desperately trying to hold back t he emotion that she is actually flavoring. This can be seen as when asked whether she has seen her children she replies, I have non.She catches a weakening in herself and downs it. She is universe non-committal towards watch over in order to retain her nobility and not catch fire down. Here Miller is emphasising Elizabeths goodness and dignity, and highlighting the gulf that Proctor sees between their moral standing. He does this as Proctor in this topographic point of dialog is seeking Elizabeths approval so that he feels she has forgiven him for his adultery, and indeed be free to forgive himself. In response to this statement by Elizabeth Procter says, You are a- marvel, Elizabeth.His short dialogue and pause in mid sentence shows the nervousness he is feeling at trying to come to terms with the spinning world in which he finds himself, and also emphasises the respect that he has for his wife. As Proctor admits that he has been tortured Miller writes Pause. She will not l et herself be drowned in the sea which threatens her. The metaphorical imagery he uses here conveys the neat emotion that they are both feeling for one another, yet are not able to express due to their history. The lack of adjectives and sparseness of language shows the discomfort they are feeling in the situation.The dialogue finally changes from being sparse and brief when Rebeccas fate is mentioned. As Proctor asks about her, Elizabeth replies Not Rebecca. She is one foot in nirvana now naught may hurt her more. The detail Miller goes into, the enfolding on Rebeccas name, and the imagery of one foot in nirvana shows the importance to the consultation of Proctor and Elizabeths respect for Rebecca. The dialogue hence quickly retracts to the sparseness of the earlier piece as Elizabeth simply says, Giles is dead. The unemotionality of her emotion in this very factual sentence shows us that closing has become normality to her, and that she has to remain emotionally detached to avoid respite down. Miller uses this to build the tension and emotion of his play to a climax, as Proctor decides what to do.The background for Proctors announcement to his wife that he is considering confessing is the sentence by Elizabeth Aye he were a fearsome man, Giles Corey. This image of carnal strength contrasts with Proctors apparent weakness as he admits that I have been thinking I would confess to them, Elizabeth. Miller uses this to lead the audience into believing that this is a dishonourable path to take, and emphasises the enormity of the ending that he has to face. In reply to this, Elizabeth says, I cannot judge you, John. Elizabeth now has an ventilate of tenderness towards Proctor, which contrasts with her earlier coldness. The stage directions Miller uses for Proctors adjoining speech are simply- a pure question. The lack of anger, guilt or implicit judgement here shows that the couple now have a sense of unity, and that past problems are now forgotten. In this moment of great emotion and mental turmoil, Proctor and Elizabeth are brought together.Miller again steers the audience to see that Proctor will not confess when he gives the directions pauses, hence with a flailing of hope. We are now led to believe that Proctor will be unable to bring himself to confess as he can see that it is morally incorrect behaviour. In the next speech by Proctor where he says, I cannot mount the gibbet exchangeable a saint. It is fraud. I am not that man. She is silent. My honesty is broke Elizabeth I am no good man.Here Miller portrays Proctor as not being afraid of death, but that he does not feel that he is worthy to die alongside the likes of Rebecca as he is a sinful man. He is also slightly seeking justification to live. end-to-end this extract it is clear that Miller is judging himself and here he is quiet under the impression that he is not worthy of greatness, although he is not sure as he is mentally battling with himself to come to so me fork of conclusion.