WRITING A BAND 5 ESSAY

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THE CRUCIBLE
Explore the ways Miller succeeds in making the
moment when Proctor tears up his confession
particularly dramatic.
QUALITIES OF A GREAT INTRODUCTION
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1. Recognition of the title to show that you
understand the question
2. Evidence that you understand the play as a
whole
3. Create a LINE OF ARGUMENT to show your
opinion in relation to the essay question
One of the most dramatic moments in The Crucible is when
Proctor tears up his signed confession to witchcraft, and
subsequently, his right to life. Proctor is caught between
the decision to live, a liar under a tainted name, or to die a
martyr, with his honour and a promise of Heaven. The
Crucible is centred on issues of : morality, rebellion, an
individuals right to freewill, social conformity and
redemption. John is constantly pinpointed as a member of
this society who is unwilling to conform to the rigid way of
life in Salem. His ultimate rebellion is when he tears up his
confession, thus going against the will of the high court,
and ultimately, against his own will to live.
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A MODEL INTRODUCTION:
In Act I, Abigail is shown desperately trying to regain Johns
affection.
You loved me John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me
yet!
Johns action, turning away from Abigail could be a metaphorical
way of describing his turning away from the affair, and the sin
connected to it. This turning away could also be a display of
weakness of heart, almost showing him shielding himself, his back
to what he lusts for. Indeed, the affair itself shows weakness,
however, I feel that it highlights how human John is, in contrast to
the more rigid, righteous Puritan residents of Salem. Proctor
embodies human fallibility, a sinner, somebody who have made
mistakes and who has regrets but is nevertheless, a good man.
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A MODEL MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH:
Copyright 2011 TES English www.tes.co.uk
To conclude, in my opinion it is the quest for the Devil
which brings Salems residents closer to him. Satan is
eventually recognised as part of them rather than a
separate being. These people are the embodiment of the
phantom they were hunting. Like Satan, who himself was
once angelic, they fall from grace and fall from holiness to
undoubted evil, as Satan did from Heaven to Hell. This is
ironic as in the course of the outward search and those that
they believed to be in league with and corrupted by Satan
they were actually becoming the most corrupt people in the
village. In destroying his confession, Proctor destroys the
myth which has been responsible for so many deaths.

A MODEL CONCLUSION: