Religious+Conflict

= Type of Conflict: Religious conflict =

The Puritans had a belief that man was worthless until redeemed, and that the devil was working among them to prevent such redemption. The many and fearful facesof the devil are represented by the names he is given: eg Lucifer and Satan. His familiar spirits appear with his manyfaced lieutenants. He may take the form of any beast at all or a cold wind or work through witches which go by land,air and by sea, encouraging eternal damnation. His fearsomeness is conveyed through alliterative adjectives: he is a wily one with a filthy face and he unleashes deep and dark forces. (pp 37, 44, 42) Strict codes of behaviour were prescribed by the church,designed to counteract the devil's influence. Dancing and reading books other than the Bible were forbidden, andmisbehaving children and servants were whipped. The survival of the community was seen to depend on constant surveillance and a two-man patrol reported those who did not attend church tothe magistrate. Despite the rigid enforcement of religious and social uniformity, the Puritans were not united on matters of religion. Neighbours are depicted as gossiping about each other's alleged moral and spiritual shortcomings. There are disputes over the employment conditions of the Minister, and Proctor tells the Rev Parris that he, like many others, stays away from church because “you hardly ever mention God any more”. (Page 34). Mr Parris counter-attacks with the accusation that Proctor was forming a faction and a party within the church (page 35). Miller provides the background necessary to understand the emerging conflict in the form of observations directed to the audience in a conversational almost confidential tone. We are positioned to feel that we are being invited into the narrow world of Salem. For example, “a word about Thomas Putnam, the son of Salem's richest man”. (Page 22). What follows is an account of the source of the long-standing bitterness that informs Putnam's later actions, caused by the refusal of the rival Nurse to support the appointment of Putnam's brother-in-law as Minister.

** Question: **
How do Miller's stage directions for the settings in Acts 1 to 4 contribute to the atmosphere of fear and conflict? Miller’s stage directions for the settings in Acts 1 to 4 contribute to the atmosphere of fear and conflict by demonstrating readable fright and envy in certain characters body language, the words used and the way they are spoken and the reactions towards these words also show this. Most of the fear and conflict came about because of the religious views. ||
 * ===James=== ||  ||
 * ===Melissa=== ||  ||
 * ===Vanessa=== || How do Miller's stage directions for the settings in Acts 1 to 4 contribute to the atmosphere of fear and conflict?
 * ===Joel=== ||  ||
 * ===Ryan=== || Miller positions the viewers in a way to understand the basis of conflict, going against God. During the time going against God resulted in severe punishments, the starting conflict begins with the dancing in the woods, which is frowned upon. The fear that they might be whipped for dancing leads them to make up lies and accuse people. This begins the abnormal amount of conflict and paranoia. ||
 * ===Kate O=== || ﻿ ﻿In Salem during the 1692 religous views were not an option, but a necessity and anyone who was caught dancing or reading the wrong books were fround upon. This created an atmosphere of fear and conflict which was caused by strict religon and the inability of having freedom of choice. Miller's stage directions for the setting in Act 1 to 4 represented the fear and conflict of religon with the fear of people being acused of witchery if they were caught saying or doing the wrong things. ||
 * ===Jordan=== || In salem religion was the way of life to go against god was to oppose the community, and ungodly act resulted in a harsh punishment which results in a community in fear. Proctor opposed the direction of the church of salem, and mainly the leader of the church this created a rift in the community. ||
 * ===Ashley=== ||  ||
 * ===Marini=== || Miller used fear as a prominant catalyst of conflict and hysteria in Salem. The idea of Puritanism drew a clear line between good and evil, and people within the community feared not only God but corruptibly, public perceptions. Stage directions accentuate the character's emotions and current state. It also gives a deeper understanding of the characters yet still keeping a simple structured play. For example, the foreboding of dancing had the girl's dancing in the virgin forrest, the 'Devil's last preserve, his home base and the citadel of his final stand'. ||
 * ===Sameet=== ||  ||
 * ===Scott=== || Miller's stage directions for the settings in Acts 1 to 4 contribute to the atmosphere of fear and conflict by helping the reader understand the severity of the situation that was going on in Salem during that time. The community was overly religous and to go against god and the church was a sin worthy of hanging. Miller's stage direction helps the reader understand this, which helps them relate to the character action and whats going on. ||
 * ===Brian=== ||  ||
 * ===Tenille=== || The towns people of Salem were all very religious people. Miller changes the stage direction to impact the fear and conflict in the town. The folk of Salem are all required to attend church daily. Proctor refused the direction of the church and did not attend on a regular basis. ||
 * ===Matthew=== ||  ||
 * ===Arvin=== || Religion was a major aspect in the town of Salem, where the townspeople were all where citizens were under the impression that unjustified acts were under the influence of the Devil, which bred fear and conflict amongst the people. To be seen as a faithful Christian you were obliged to know the ten commandments and if not then the person would lose credibility. The accusations thrown around were, another reason of the fear and conflict that spread throughout Salem. ||
 * ===Kate E=== ||  ||
 * ===Jennifer=== || The salem community were very religious people who encouraged individuals to attend church on a daily basis. Every child was to be baptised if they were in the ''christian faith' and regular preys and knowledge of the bible was a must - mainly knowing the 10 comandements. To gain respect and acceptance from the community, being a 'good christian' was the only true aspect that was needed. ||
 * ===Brenton=== || Miller intentionally alters the stage setting and ambience to influence and perpetuate both fear and conflict. For example,in Act I, when the rumours begin to spread, the scene is contained to the house of Reverend Parris, minister of the church. By having a source of conflict so close to the holy capital of the village, Miller amplifies the social fear due to the fact that evil resides within the Ministers house. These precise setting arrangements accumulate both the fear and conflict of the play. TRUE THAT DUDE!!!! ||
 * ===Emily=== ||  ||