Act Four of the Crucible Essay Example for Free

Act Four of the Crucible Essay How does Miller present John Proctor as a heroic figure in Act Four of The Crucible? Does the play have any relevance for us watching it today?  A hero is a person who is admired for having done something very brave or having achieved something great according to www.dictionary.co.uk. I also think a hero is a person who doesnt necessarily have to be of a pure soul, who has never done anything wrong. For example, in The Crucible, a person like Rebecca Nurse who never did anything wrong wasnt portrayed as a hero to us. We see John Proctors actions as more heroic and they are similar to Linford Christies actions (where he was accused for taking drugs and now acts as a senior mentor for athletes) which a modern audience watching it today would see as a comparable, if a less serious, situation. Miller presents Proctor as a heroic figure in Act Four of The Crucible by John Proctors actions. These include John refusing to sign the document, which would save his life. However, at the same time it would mean he would lie and Proctor would rather die than sign a document, which condemned him to working with the devil. I feel this shows John as a hero because he has not only done something very brave by giving his life, which people will admire, but because he has struggled through and done the right thing which will ultimately lead to an end in the accusations of witchcraft in Salem. This part of the play deserves a lot of attention as it shows the greatest act of heroism in the play by Proctor. It also reflects the most relevance for an audience watching today, who would relate Johns example to their own lives. In the earlier acts of the play Miller shows John Proctor resisting temptation from Abigail. The reader sees this as heroic because we know that John has already had an affair and he doesnt want to cheat again. The reader also knows that it is hard for John Proctor and when he does resist Abagail the reader sees this as a heroic action. The way other characters respond to John Proctor also shows us that John is a hero. Miller shows other characters, for example Mary Warren, respecting him. The first time Miller introduces John into the play we see how other characters respect his authority. MARY WARREN leaps in fright. Mary was doing wrong and Proctor discovered her. The fact that we see her leaping in fright shows how she respects Johns authority. She admires him enough to feel ashamed of her wrong doing and a hero is someone who is admired by other people. In Act 4 Proctor knows he has made mistakes in the past and doesnt think that people will see him as a hero if he is hung. I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. By John saying this it shows he is not arrogant. The audience see arrogance as an unheroic action. John Proctor says he refuses to testify because he detests authority. It is hard to give a lie to dogs. Miller makes John refer to authority figures as dogs because they are hanging people for incorrect and false acusations. Proctor refuses to lie because he wants to stand up to a corrupt justice system. The audience sees this as a heroic action because he is prepared to sacrifice himself in order to abolish the justice system in the future. For John to give his life it is the biggest act of bravery a man can do and we see this bravery as a noble action. In this final act Miller suggests to us that John is performing actions with other people in mind rather than himself. If he confesses he wants to know if other people will be able to forgive him for lying. What would you have me do? Proctor is thinking about confessing and he does not want Elizabeth, or any other person, to think badly about him for lying. This is because he is feeling guilty. This guilt shows human emotions and the audience sees this as something they can relate to in their everyday life, because John is a person like us. However, John leads by example and, although he is human, he is a role model who always tries to do the right thing even if it is difficult and may have consequences for him. An earlier example of this is John attempting to save Elizabeth in court by confessing his act of adultery. I have known her, sir. This is what makes him heroic for the audience as he tries to do the right thing, for other people not just him, when it is sometimes difficult because of the resulting consequences. Another way in which we see John as heroic is because he physically tears up the confession slip. PROCTOR tears the paper and crumples it. This action by Proctor is heroic because he is trying to correct his mistakes. Proctor isnt perfect but he tries to make up for what he has done wrong in the past. Proctor doesnt want to return to his old ways of doing wrong as he felt contrite and ashamed of his affair with Abigail. The audience admires his attempt to correct his wrong doing and in doing so Miller gains the audiences respect for Proctor. Our admiration for Proctor makes us relate John to being a hero because by definition a hero is admired by other people because of their actions.

music and its effects on life :: essays research papers

The effects that music has on life are unimagineable. Music has been widely recommended as a technique to enhance the psychophysical state of participants in sport and exercise. However, there is scant scientific evidence to clarify its proposed benefits The purpose of this paper was to present the conceptual framework underlying the psychophysical effects of music, to discuss published findings since the review of Lucaccini and Kreit (1972), and to consider limitations in previous research. Certain generalizations about the effects of music emerge. First, it appears that synchronization of submaximal exercise with musical accompanimentresults in increased work output. Second, music apparently reduces the rate of perceived exertion during submaximal exercise. Third, music tends to enhance affective states at both medium and high levels of work intensity. However, the effect of asynchronous music in contributing to optimal arousal is unclear. Based on a review ofrelated literature, it was concluded that appropriately selected music can enhance enjoyment levels and adherence to physical activity.The psychophysical effects of music has become an area of increased interest amongst sports researchers during the last decade. Selected research has demonstrated that music has significant psychophysical benefits during physical activity (e.g., Boutcher & Trenske, 1990; Copeland & Franks, 1991; Lee, 1989). These studies have shown that li stening to music can produce ergogenic effects in terms of improved motor performance and increased aerobic endurance, and can also enhance the exercise experience. The proposed mechanisms through which music produces psychophysical benefits include lowered perceived effort, arousal control, improved affective states, and a synchronization effect. By contrast, however, other studies have shown that music has no psychophysical benefits (Patton, 1991; Schwartz, Fernhall, & Plowman, 1990). Studies which have examined the synchronization of movement with music have consistently shown an ergogenic effect (Anshel & Marisi, 1978; Michel & Wanner, 1973; Uppal & Datta, 1990). However, a greater number of studies which have examined the effects of asynchronous (background) music have produced equivocal findings in that some studies identified psychophysical effects (e.g., Boutcher & Trenske, 1990; Copeland & Franks, 1991), whereas other studies (e.g., Patton, 1991; Schwartz, Fernhall, & Plowman, 1990) showed no effects.

History of Psycology Essay

Before psychology there was philosophy. Descartes was around during the end of the Renaissance and in the era of revolutionary developments in science. Born in 1596 to a French lawyer, Descartes could understand more than most. When he was in his late 20’s, he resembled more of a scientist than a philosopher since he had studied physics, optics, geometry as well as physiology. The first to discover that lenses in one’s eyes are inverted by removing an ox’s eye, Descartes also believed in truth and was an active rationalist, meaning he believed the truth would emerge by careful use of reason and it became his modus operandi. This way to truth was also through the human capacity to reason. He created four rules he used to arrive at truth. He also was the best-known example of a dualist, giving way to accepting a clear partition between mind or soul and body. He believed that the body was like a well-oiled machine and the mind could have a direct influence on it. John Locke followed Descartes in 1632. He wanted to take epistemology, the study of human knowledge and obtaining it, to a more experimental based group of discipline. Locke spurned the idea of innate ideas, only â€Å"faculties†. Some ideas appeared so early in life that they used to believe they were innate but Locke declared that all of our knowledge was derived from experiences. Locke stated that the mind was like a white sheet of paper, blank but able to become something great. Experiences add to the paper by sensations and reflections. George Berkeley was another philosopher born in 1685. His work on vision was the first example of how empiricist thinking could be applied to the study of perception. Lastly there is David Hume. He built his knowledge around the base premise that all of our understanding is rooted in experience, or impressions vs.ideas. Impressions are basic sensations experienced daily such as feeling pain, seeing yellow or tasting saltiness. Ideas are faint copies of impressions but are not as vivid. Hume also offered three laws of association: resemblance, contiguity, and cause/effect. Resemblance meaning the look of one object can bring back memories or ideas of another item. Contiguity means intertwining two things together such as the smell of oranges and the west coast. The greatest of the laws is the law of cause/effect. If one idea causes another idea or memory, the cause reminds you of the effect i.e. burning your hand on the stove while making muffins. When seeing the scar, the memory of muffins will reappear. Hume also suggested that to conclude that A causes B, one must know 1. When A occurs, B must occur regularly, 2. A occurs before B, and 3. B doesn’t occur without being preceded by A. In the 19th century, psychology shifted from being philosophically based to being more scientific. Scientists and physiologists tried to show the world the reasons behind psychology were in fact based on the senses and the nervous system. One example is the Bell-Magendie law. Both Sir Charles Bell and Francois Magendie both were studying the roots of the postierior and anterior roots of the spinal cord and their functions. Bell was credited with the law because his research was published earlier, though limited, and Bell did not conduct an experiment like Magendie did on puppies. They discovered that the posterior roots control sensation where there is movement still but no sensation. Magendie then severed the anterior root in another animal and the limb was flaccid and unable to move though it still had sensation. To conclude, the science of psychology has always been a changing domain from philosophy to the sciences. It will continue to grow and develop as the world changes and shifts. Descartes started the ball rolling by studying optics and how to arrive at the truth with his four laws. Locke showed the world that it is nurture vs. nature that shapes a person. Hume gave us the three laws of association. In the 19th century psychology developed to include sciences. All of these philosophers and scientists shaped the psychology field to what it is today.

William Shakespeares Sonnet 18

William Shakespeares Sonnet 18 is part of a group of 126 sonnets Shakespeare wrote that are addressed to a young man of great beauty and promise. In this group of sonnets, the speaker urges the young man to marry and perpetuate his virtues through children, and warns him about the destructive power of time, age, and moral weakness. Sonnet 18 focuses on the beauty of the young man, and how beauty fades, but his beauty will not because it will be remembered by everyone who reads this poem. Shakespeare starts the poem with a metaphoric question in line one asking if e should compare the man to a summers day. This asks if he should compare the beauty of a summers day to the beauty of the young man about whom Shakespeare is writing. Line two of this poem states Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Temperate is used as a synonym for moderate by the author. In line two the speaker is describing the man as more lovely and more moderate than a summers day. This emphasizes the mans beauty and how the man is viewed by the speaker. Line three, Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, tells hy the mans beauty is greater than that of a summers day. Shakespeare uses rough winds to symbolize imperfections. The speaker is implying that there are no imperfections in the young man, but there are in the summer, so the man cannot be compared to a summers day. In line four the speaker adds to this thought by saying that the summer also does not last as long as the mans beauty therefore it cannot be compared to it. Line five states another imperfection of the summer. Shakespeare uses the eye of heaven as a metaphor in this line to describe the un. In line six Shakespeare uses the phrase gold complexion dimmed to describe the sun again which means that sometimes the sun is not hot enough, and that, as said in line five, sometimes the sun is too hot. In lines seven and eight the speaker ends the complication by describing how nature is never perfect. Line nine starts the resolution of the poem by using the conjunction but.. Eternal summer in line nine is referring back to the mans eternal beauty, using summer to symbolize beauty, and saying that the mans beauty will never fail like he summers beauty. In lines ten, eleven, and twelve the speaker says that the man, When in eternal lines to time thou growst (line 12) or when he grows old, will not lose possession of what is fair to him, and Nor shall Death brag thou wanderst in his shade (line 11) or he will not be poor in health and close to dying. Lines thirteen and fourteen say that as long as this poem is read, the mans beauty will never go away, because every time someone reads the poem they will be reminded of his beauty. This poem that Shakespeare wrote, in the octave, describes how all beauty fades except for the man about whom Shakespeare is writing. The octave also tells of how great the mans beauty is compared to everything else that is beautiful. In the sestet, the poem tells about how the mans beauty stays alive and out lives all other beauty. The poem is written in iambic pentameter. Shakespeare makes use of much symbolism and many other figurative devices in this poem that contribute and emphasize to the overall theme of the poem.

Abortion3 essays

Abortion3 essays Women must have access to safe abortion. No matter how any of us feel about embryos and fetuses and their "rights"...about women and sex and responsibility...about God's will, Karma, or the Bible...the fact still remains: Women have always used abortion as a last resort to prevent the birth of a child, and they always will, regardless of what the laws say or the rest of us think. But when abortion is illegal, it is unsafe and dangerous. Therefore, abortion must be legal, and it must be accessible too. Here are some reasons why legal abortion is necessary, taken from various sources available online and offline. Even if you disagree, take a look! Laws against abortion kill women. Making abortion illegal has little effect on the number of abortions, as history and present-day evidence from all over the world show. But illegal abortion is much more dangerous. In the 1930s, there was "an epidemic of criminal abortion" in the United States. The number of births dropped by about half, as women who refused to bring children into a depressed economy resorted to illegal abortion to end their pregnancies. As a result, about 2500 women died each year from abortion complications, accounting for nearly one in four maternal deaths.1 From 1950 to 1965 in the US, there were 200 to 250 abortion-related deaths reported each year, a number that is acknowledged to be lower than the true death count.2 But even using these statistics, and assuming that illegal abortion was two or three times as dangerous as legal abortion at that time, a simple calculation shows that there were at least 500,000 illegal abortions each year.3 It's not worth the death of one woman if that's what it would take to cut the number of abortions by 60%, let alone fifty or a hundred women. Thanks to changes in the law, today the mortality rate from legal abortion is almost zero, and abortion accounts for only 3% of maternal d ...

Organic Chemist Job Profile

Organic Chemist Job Profile This is an organic chemist job profile. Learn about what organic chemists do, where organic chemists work, what type of person enjoys organic chemistry  and what it takes to become an organic chemist. What Does an Organic Chemist Do? Organic chemists study molecules that contain carbon. They may characterize, synthesize or find applications for organic molecules. They perform calculations and chemical reactions to achieve their goals. Organic chemists typically work with advanced, computer-driven equipment as well as traditional chemistry lab equipment and chemicals. Where Organic Chemists Work Organic chemists put in a lot of time in the lab, but they also spend time reading scientific literature and writing about their work. Some organic chemists work on computers with modeling and simulation software. Organic chemists interact with colleagues and attend meetings. Some organic chemists have teaching and management responsibilities. An organic chemists work environment tends to be clean, well-lighted, safe and comfortable. Expect time at the lab bench and at a desk. Who Wants to Be an Organic Chemist? Organic chemists are detail-oriented problem solvers. If you want to be an organic chemist, you can expect to work in a team and to need to communicate complex chemistry to people in other areas. Its important to have good oral and written communication skills. Organic chemists often lead teams or organize research strategies, so leadership skills and independence are helpful, too. Organic Chemist Job Outlook Presently organic chemists face a strong job outlook. Most organic chemist positions are in industry. Organic chemists are in demand by companies that produce pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and many other goods. There are teaching opportunities for Ph.D. organic chemists at some colleges and universities, but these tend to be highly competitive. A smaller numbers of teaching and research opportunities exist for organic chemists with masters degrees at some two and four-year colleges.

Visit the Jurassic Quest Exhibit and Report of geology Essay

Visit the Jurassic Quest Exhibit and Report of geology - Essay Example Some of the dinosaurs in the exhibit seem a life with sounds and movement. These are labelled moving Dinosaurs. By the touch of a button one is able to control the movement of a variety of the animatronics dinosaurs (Andrew, 68). Such event makes visitors happy due to the fact that they allow them to learn while controlling their movement, the breathing and more produce sound such as roaring. More interesting one can control their heads, arms, and tails as it comprises of different buttons that match to different body parts. I realized that no matter the age was fun not found in museums. Alongside animatronics dinosaurs that have movement capability, there is static one that is at a standstill. These are labelled Museum quality dinosaurs. These static dinosaur replicas are of museum quality which is automatically balanced to depict the palaeontologist recognized findings. These dinosaurs are well positioned in the exhibit so that people are able to touch and feel them. This activity is highly supported as it is what brought about the different discoveries on dinosaurs. In addition to the exhibition part, is a realistic scene shown by the use of digital screens. This assists in the learning of different features of the dinosaurs. Every scene stands for dinosaurs from a given time period that best shows when the dinosaur was in existence. One gets involved into the scenes by the use of sounds, sight, and motion by use of extraordinary sounds effects, lighting, animatronics and fog. In it an environment, taking one back when dinosaurs were in existence is exhibited with backdrops, rocks, flooring and plant materials. There were different dinosaur exhibits available for viewing. These included Gigantoraptor, Sinosauropteryx and T.rex juvenile, Eoraptor a bird like creature, Jobaria a 22 meters long necked plant eater, a seven meter plant eater