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Differences Between The Crucible Play And Movie

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The text and film adaptation of The Crucible complement each other, catching the essence of Arthur Miller’s central themes and messages. Although the film reiterates the theme and the basis of the play, there are many differences to contrast. The film featured scenes that were merely referenced in the text, allowing the audience to fully grasp the storyline. These additions are also necessary to convey emotions and accentuate important attributes of the characters. In examining both versions of The Crucible, a noticeable discrepancy is the difference in expositions. The film initiates with a scene showing the Puritan girls and Tituba, a black slave, performing a ritual in the forest. As opposed to the text, which opens up with Reverend Parris praying by the bedside of his unconscious daughter, Betty; the incident in the forest is only mentioned as a flashback. From Mercy Lewis’ nudity to Abigail William’s consumption of chicken blood, the audience gets an insight of these taboo activities. It emphasizes intolerance …show more content…

For instance, Abigail’s line to Betty, “Your mother is dead and buried,” can be perceived as something said out of pity in the text; as opposed to the film, where the cruel and cold tone of her voice is evident. Furthermore, The film exaggerates Abigail’s sinister and manipulating nature to eliminate anyone who interferes with what she wants. This is depicted in the film in multiple scenes, such as her accusation of witchcraft against Reverend Hale’s wife once he began showing opposition towards her; her attempts to persuade John Proctor into thinking she is victimized, as well as her attempt to persuade him into abandoning Salem together and boarding a ship. All of these scenes, absent from the text, exhibits Abigail’s psychosis, desperation, and the exceeding lengths she is willing to go through to get her

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