The Crucible: A Masterpiece of Dramatic Writing

The Crucible provides us with an example of a masterpiece of dramatic writing. In this play Arthur Miller gives us a stimulating example of the use of a variety of theatrical techniques. His most powerful scenes in “The Crucible” have common characteristics: very effective use of stage actions, long build-ups of suspense that come crashing down in thundering climaxes, intense displays of emotion and an abundance of dramatic irony. These are my three chosen scenes: p46-50: “Tituba……..Devil!”, p98-100: “She thinks…….Oh God” and p101-105: “You will…..Mr Hale!”. Because of the importance of these scenes as key moments in the play Miller makes them dramatically superb so that the “No,sir” by Elizabeth that decides the outcome of dozens of lives and of her own and her husband’s, John Proctor is also the climax of the most effective build-up of suspense in the play. The effectivness of these scenes is also enhanced by powerful characters such as John Proctor and Danforth who display such intensity in their emotions and actions that the audience can not help but be moved. But most of all, these scenes show Miller’s theatrical qualities so that by the end of each of these scenes we not only understand his message but also find ourself convinced by his arguments .

The dramatic impact of a play is enhanced when the audience understands all the different aspects of the main characters. It helps them become more involved and at the same time gives the author the chance to display some dramatic irony. Miller uses stage actions to that end in the first chosen scene of “The Crucible”. In this scene Tituba’s inner conflict and Hale’s resolution is clearly expressed through the stage actions. Tituba first denies having seen …

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… power.

“The Crucible” is considered by many Miller’s masterpiece, it both displays his dramatic and theatrical qualities in such a way as to make it disturbing and socially relevant. In it one can find his views on society as a whole and on current events such as Mccarthyism which similarily to the medieval Church and justice system searched for individuals who by their ideals and ideas they felt threatened the supremacy of their system. Miller made “The Crucible” the starting point for the audience to reflect on their own society and culture. But at the same time Miller polished his deep philosophical work with superb stage directions, likeable characters and nerve-racking suspense.

Works Cited

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible: Fact

Electronic Medical Files: A Threat to Privacy?

Electronic Medical Files: A Threat to Privacy?

Abstract: Electronic medical databases and the ability to store medical files in them have made our lives easier in many ways and riskier in others. The main risk they pose is the safety of our personal data if put on an insecure an insecure medium. What if someone gets their hands on your information and uses it in ways you don’t approve of? Can you stop them? To keep your information safe and to preserve faith in this invaluable technology, the issue of access must be addressed. Guidelines are needed to establish who has access and how they may get it. This is necessary for the security of the information a, to preserve privacy, and to maintain existing benefits.

Imagine a gravely sick person in a hospital bed. Tubes and wires connect him to whirring machines like medical jumper cables; he lays almost lifeless except for the barely perceptible vitality pumped into them by the system of machines we call life support. Take a moment to think about the roles that computers play in this scenario. Now imagine the scene and the patient’s condition without computers. That’s easy. There is nothing: no slow breathing, no whirring of machines, no dripping IV, no beeping heart monitor. Not only would the person probably be dead, but everything from the reclining bed to the nurse call button to the life support system relies on computers.

Computers have totally proliferated the world of medicine. They are used to monitor vital signs, to operate artificial hearts and to compile and store medical histories. Though not directly related to our well being, the last use is of utmost importance. Today, the use of medical databases and computer…

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…Berkeley National Laboratory’s Ethical, Legal, Social Issues in Science Project

2.White House release, Wednesday, December 20, 2000 on www.cdt.org/privacy/medical/001220whitehouse.shtml; posted by the Center for Technology and Democracy

3. www.ama-assn.org/sci-pubs/msjama/articles/vol_285/no_13/jms0404014.htm#ref3; Journal of the American Medical Association.

4.www.techtv.com/cybercrime/privacy/story/0,23008,3320805,00.html; a website with good facts corroborated from other sources

5. Sara Baase, A Gift of Fire. Published by Prentice Hall, 1997. p 61

6.www.aclu.org/action/medregs/readstories.html; medical privacy anecdotes from newspapers gathered by the A.C.L.U.

7. Personal Communication: F. Makedon, class discussion, Sept, 2001

8.www.netreach.net/~wmanning/otadig.htm; part of an extensive website dedicated to medical privacy issues