John And Elizabeth Proctor Relationship

The Complex and Evolving Relationship of John and Elizabeth Proctor: A Deep Dive into The Crucible

The chilling drama of Arthur Miller's The Crucible hinges not only on the Salem witch trials but also on the intensely complex and tragically flawed relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor. Their story transcends a simple marital drama; it's a potent exploration of guilt, betrayal, pride, and the agonizing struggle for redemption amidst societal chaos. This in-depth analysis will delve into the intricacies of their bond, examining its evolution from a once-passionate love to a fractured union teetering on the brink of collapse, ultimately impacting the play's central themes. We will explore the reasons behind their estrangement, the impact of John's infidelity, and the agonizing path towards a possible, albeit tragically late, reconciliation. Prepare to uncover the hidden layers of this pivotal relationship within the context of Miller's masterpiece.

I. The Seeds of Discord: A Fractured Foundation

Before the accusations of witchcraft consume Salem, the Proctors' marriage is already strained. John, a man of strong will and independent spirit, harbors a deep-seated guilt stemming from his adultery with Abigail Williams. This secret poisons their relationship, creating a chasm of mistrust and unspoken resentments. Elizabeth, a devout and morally upright woman, struggles to reconcile her husband's betrayal with her unwavering love. Their communication is stifled, replaced by a chilling silence punctuated by barbed words and accusations. The initial coldness and formality of their interactions reveal a fundamental lack of intimacy and honest communication, a foundation already cracked before the external pressures of the witch hunt intensify the cracks into a devastating rupture. Their early interactions portray a marriage suffocated by unspoken accusations and lingering guilt, foreshadowing the tragedy to come.

II. The Weight of Infidelity: Abigail's Shadow

Abigail Williams, a manipulative and vengeful young woman, casts a long shadow over John and Elizabeth's relationship. Her obsessive infatuation with John, coupled with his initial, albeit brief, reciprocation, irrevocably damages their trust. Elizabeth’s knowledge of the affair fuels her coldness and suspicion, while John’s guilt fuels his attempts at reconciliation that are consistently undermined by his own pride and inability to fully confess the extent of his transgression. Abigail’s presence isn't just a catalyst for conflict; it represents the external force that exposes and exacerbates the pre-existing tensions within their marriage. She serves as a constant reminder of John's betrayal, poisoning Elizabeth's perception of him and hindering any possibility of true forgiveness.

III. The Crucible's Crucible: Testing the Bonds of Marriage

The Salem witch trials act as a brutal crucible, testing the strength and resilience of John and Elizabeth's relationship. The pressure to conform, to accuse, and to save oneself intensifies the existing fissures. John, grappling with his guilt and desire to protect Elizabeth, is torn between his integrity and his fear. Elizabeth, despite her initial coldness and hurt, demonstrates a growing understanding of John's character and a willingness to forgive. The play showcases the paradoxical nature of their bond— their suffering and vulnerability draw them closer, yet their inability to communicate openly continues to keep them at arm's length. The crucible of the trials intensifies the conflict but also creates a unique opportunity for potential redemption.

IV. The Path Towards Reconciliation: Forgiveness and Acceptance

Despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, glimmers of reconciliation emerge throughout the play. John's courageous act of confessing his adultery and his unwavering defense of Elizabeth reveal a profound change in his character. Elizabeth, in turn, demonstrates her love and forgiveness, albeit implicitly, through her plea for his life. This late-blooming reconciliation, though tragically short-lived, highlights the enduring strength of their bond, despite the devastating circumstances. The ending of the play is far from a happy one, but it underscores the capacity for human connection even amidst profound pain and loss. Their story is not one of a simple happily ever after, but rather a testament to the power of forgiveness and the complexity of human relationships.

V. A Legacy of Regret: The Enduring Impact

The relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor serves as a cautionary tale, exploring the devastating consequences of dishonesty and the importance of open communication. Their story transcends the specific context of the Salem witch trials, offering timeless insights into the fragility and resilience of human relationships. The play's enduring power lies in its exploration of universal themes – guilt, betrayal, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love amidst unimaginable loss. The complexities of their relationship resonate with audiences, reminding us of the enduring importance of honesty, understanding, and the often arduous path toward reconciliation.

Article Outline: John and Elizabeth Proctor's Relationship

I. Introduction: Hook, overview of the article's content, and thesis statement regarding the complex nature of their relationship.

II. A Fractured Foundation: Analysis of the pre-existing tensions in their marriage prior to the witch trials.

III. The Shadow of Abigail: Exploration of Abigail's role in exacerbating the marital conflict and its impact on John and Elizabeth.

IV. The Crucible's Trial: Examination of how the witch hunt intensifies the existing problems and forces John and Elizabeth to confront their issues.

V. Glimmers of Reconciliation: Analysis of the moments of potential forgiveness and understanding between John and Elizabeth.

VI. A Legacy of Regret: Concluding thoughts on the enduring impact of their relationship and the play's broader themes.

The Article Explained (Based on the Outline Above)

The complete article is presented above, following the structure outlined. Each section corresponds to a point in the outline, providing a detailed and in-depth analysis of the relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor.

FAQs

1. What is the primary conflict in John and Elizabeth Proctor's relationship? The primary conflict stems from John's adultery with Abigail Williams, leading to a breakdown in trust and communication.

2. How does Abigail Williams affect their relationship? Abigail's manipulative actions and obsessive infatuation with John exacerbate existing tensions and prevent any true reconciliation.

3. Does Elizabeth Proctor ever forgive John? While not explicitly stated, Elizabeth shows signs of forgiveness through her plea for John's life and her understanding of his character.

4. What role does guilt play in their relationship? Guilt, primarily on John's part, is a major driving force in their interactions and prevents honest communication.

5. How does the setting of the Salem witch trials impact their relationship? The external pressures of the witch hunt intensify existing tensions and force them to confront their issues in a heightened emotional state.

6. What are the key themes explored through their relationship? The relationship explores themes of betrayal, forgiveness, guilt, redemption, and the complexities of human connection.

7. Is their relationship ultimately successful? No, their relationship is tragically flawed and ends with John's death, but there are moments of potential reconciliation and understanding.

8. What can we learn from their relationship? Their relationship highlights the importance of honest communication, trust, and forgiveness in maintaining healthy relationships.

9. How does their relationship contribute to the overall themes of The Crucible? Their relationship serves as a microcosm of the larger societal issues explored in the play, reflecting the impact of societal pressures on personal relationships.

1. Abigail Williams: A Catalyst for Destruction: An analysis of Abigail's role as the antagonist and her manipulative influence on the events in Salem.

2. The Crucible's Historical Context: An exploration of the historical accuracy of Miller's play and its relevance to the McCarthy era.

3. Themes of Deception in The Crucible: A discussion of the various forms of deception present in the play and their impact on the characters.

4. John Proctor's Moral Dilemma: An analysis of John's internal conflict and his struggle to maintain his integrity in the face of societal pressure.

5. Elizabeth Proctor's Strength and Resilience: An examination of Elizabeth's character, her strength, and her quiet acts of defiance.

6. The Role of Reputation in Salem: A look at how the fear of public shame and ostracism drives the accusations of witchcraft.

7. Comparing and Contrasting John and Elizabeth's Beliefs: An analysis of their differing perspectives on morality, faith, and their marriage.

8. The Use of Symbolism in The Crucible: An examination of the symbolic significance of various objects and events in the play.

9. The Crucible's Enduring Legacy: A discussion of the play's continued relevance and its lasting impact on theater and literature.

john and elizabeth proctor relationship: The Crucible Arthur Miller, 1982
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: The Crucible Coles Publishing Company. Editorial Board, Arthur Miller, 1983 A literary study guide that includes summaries and commentaries.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Echoes Down the Corridor Arthur Miller, 2001-10-01 For some fifty years now, Arthur Miller has been not only America's premier playwright, but also one of our foremost public intellectuals and cultural critics. Echoes Down the Corridor gathers together a dazzling array of more than forty previously uncollected essays and works of reportage. Here is Arthur Miller, the brilliant social and political commentator-but here, too, Miller the private man behind the internationally renowned public figure.Witty and wise, rich in artistry and insight, Echoes Down the Corridor reaffirms Arthur Miller's standing as one of the greatest writers of our time.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: A Storm of Witchcraft Emerson W. Baker, 2015 Presents an historical analysis of the Salem witch trials, examining the factors that may have led to the mass hysteria, including a possible occurrence of ergot poisoning, a frontier war in Maine, and local political rivalries.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Worldshaker Richard Harland, 2010-05-18 Col Porpentine understands how society works: The elite families enjoy a comfortable life on the Upper Decks of the great juggernaut Worldshaker, and the Filthies toil Below Decks. Col’s grandfather, the Supreme Commander of Worldshaker, is grooming Col as his successor. Used to keep Worldshaker moving, Filthies are like animals, unable to understand language or think for themselves. Or so Col believes before he meets Riff, a Filthy girl on the run who is clever and quick. If Riff is telling the truth, then everything Col has been told is a lie. And Col has the power to do something about it—even if it means risking his whole future.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: No Villain Arthur Miller, 2017-09-29 Over six days during the spring break of 1936 at the University of Michigan, a twenty-year-old college sophomore wrote his first play, NO VILLAIN. His aim was to win the prestigious Avery Hopwood award and, more importantly, the $250 prize he needed in order to return to college the following year. Miller won the award, but the play would remain buried until it received its world premiere nearly eighty years after it was written. NO VILLAIN tells the story of a garment industry strike that sets a son against his factory proprietor father. Here, Miller explores the Marxist theory that would see him hauled before the House Un-American Activities Committee years later. This remarkable debut play gives us a tantalising glimpse of Miller’s early life, the seeding of his political values, and the beginning of his extraordinary career.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Why Geography Matters, More Than Ever Harm de Blij, 2012-09-06 This work was first published by Oxford University Press in 2005 as Why Geography Matters: Three Challenges Facing America.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: A Discovery of Witches Deborah Harkness, 2011-02-08 Book one of the New York Times bestselling All Souls series, from the author of The Black Bird Oracle. “A wonderfully imaginative grown-up fantasy with all the magic of Harry Potter and Twilight” (People). Look for the hit series “A Discovery of Witches,” now streaming on AMC+, Sundance Now, and Shudder! Deborah Harkness’s sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches, has brought her into the spotlight and galvanized fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. Harkness has created a universe to rival those of Anne Rice, Diana Gabaldon, and Elizabeth Kostova, and she adds a scholar's depth to this riveting tale of magic and suspense. The story continues in book two, Shadow of Night, book three, The Book of Life, and the fourth in the series, Time’s Convert.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Witches! Rosalyn Schanzer, 2011 Tells the story of the victims, the accused witches, and the scheming officials that turned a mysterious illness into a witch hunt.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: The Boys of My Youth Jo Ann Beard, 2009-11-11 The utterly compelling, uncommonly beautiful collection of personal essays (Newsweek) that established Jo Ann Beard as one of the leading writers of her generation. Cousins, mothers, sisters, dolls, dogs, best friends: these are the fixed points in Jo Ann Beard's universe, the constants that remain when the boys of her youth -- and then men who replace them -- are gone. This widely praised collection of autobiographical essays summons back, with astonishing grace and power, moments of childhood epiphany as well as the cataclysms of adult life: betrayal, divorce, death. The Boys of My Youth heralded the arrival of an immensely gifted and influential writer and its essays remain surprising, original, and affecting today. A luminous, funny, heartbreaking book of essays about life and its defining moments. --Harper's Bazaar
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Understanding The Crucible Claudia Durst Johnson, Vernon Johnson, 1998-09-17 Ideal for student research and class discussion, this interdisciplinary casebook provides a rich variety of primary historical documents and commentary on The Crucible within the context of two relevant historical periods: the Salem witch-trials of 1692 and the Red Scare of the 1950s, when the play was written. The play is a testimony to the inherent dangers Miller sees in any community seized by hysteria. The Salem witch-hunts, which Miller uses to illustrate such a community, were echoed more than 250 years later in the hunt for subversives during the Red Scare of the 1950s. The authors provide literary and dramatic analysis of the play, comprehensive historical backgrounds, relevant documents of the periods, and questions and projects to help students in their understanding of The Crucible and the issues it raises. In a discussion of Puritan society of the seventeenth century, the authors explore the habits of many of the residents of Massachusetts Bay and specific events which seemed to make the witch-hunts of 1692 inevitable. The text of relevant documents illustrate their beliefs, combined with the disasters that contributed to community hysteria. A chapter on the Salem witch trials includes testimony, letters, and first person accounts by actual people on which Miller based his characters. A chapter on the Red Scare of the 1950s features testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee, case studies of blacklisted people, and an exclusive interview with a couple who were blacklisted. The authors include a chapter on witch-hunting in the 1990s in the form of testimony from preschoolers which sent child care workers to prison on charges of sexual abuse. Students will be able to compare and contrast witch- hunting over 300 years with the materials provided here, many of which are available in no other printed form. Each section of the casebook contains study questions, topics for research papers and class discussion, and lists of further reading for examining the issues raised by the play.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: In the Devil's Snare Mary Beth Norton, 2007-12-18 Award-winning historian Mary Beth Norton reexamines the Salem witch trials in this startlingly original, meticulously researched, and utterly riveting study. In 1692 the people of Massachusetts were living in fear, and not solely of satanic afflictions. Horrifyingly violent Indian attacks had all but emptied the northern frontier of settlers, and many traumatized refugees—including the main accusers of witches—had fled to communities like Salem. Meanwhile the colony’s leaders, defensive about their own failure to protect the frontier, pondered how God’s people could be suffering at the hands of savages. Struck by the similarities between what the refugees had witnessed and what the witchcraft “victims” described, many were quick to see a vast conspiracy of the Devil (in league with the French and the Indians) threatening New England on all sides. By providing this essential context to the famous events, and by casting her net well beyond the borders of Salem itself, Norton sheds new light on one of the most perplexing and fascinating periods in our history.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: The Salem Witch Trials Reader Frances Hill, 2000-10-19 Contains primary source material.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: The Enormous Radio, and Other Stories John Cheever, 1953
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: The Asylum John Harwood, 2013 After waking up in a small asylum in England with no memory of the past several weeks, Georgia Ferrars learns that her family believes she is an imposter.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Townie: A Memoir Andre Dubus III, 2011-02-23 Dubus relives, absent self-pity or blame, a life shaped by bouts of violence and flurries of tenderness. —Vanity Fair After their parents divorced in the 1970s, Andre Dubus III and his three siblings grew up with their overworked mother in a depressed Massachusetts mill town saturated with drugs and everyday violence. Nearby, his father, an eminent author, taught on a college campus and took the kids out on Sundays. The clash between town and gown, between the hard drinking, drugging, and fighting of townies and the ambitions of students debating books and ideas, couldn’t have been more stark. In this unforgettable memoir, acclaimed novelist Dubus shows us how he escaped the cycle of violence and found empathy in channeling the stories of others—bridging, in the process, the rift between his father and himself.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Simple Recipes Madeleine Thien, 2016-10-18 Winner of the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and the City of Vancouver Book Award, and a Regional Finalist for the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book Longing, familiarity, and hope suffuse these stories as they mine the charged territory of relationships – subtly weaving in conflicts between generations and cultures. Madeleine Thien’s characters in some way want to make amends, to understand the events that have shaped their lives. A young woman searches back in time for the pivotal moment when her family lost faith in itself. Two sisters keep a vigil outside their former house, hoping their long-absent mother will appear one last time. A wife helps her husband grieve for the woman he has loved since childhood. A daughter remembers the simple ritual she once shared with her father and the moment when her unconditional love for him was called into question. Compassionate and revealing, delicate and wise, these stories chart the uneven progress of love and lay bare the heartbreaking truths at the core of our closest bonds.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Montana 1948 Larry Watson, 2010-08-01 The tragic tale of a Montana family ripped apart by scandal and murder: “a significant and elegant addition to the fiction of the American West” (Washington Post). In the summer of 1948, twelve-year-old David Hayden witnessed and experienced a series of cataclysmic events that would forever change the way he saw his family. The Haydens had been pillars of their small Montana town: David’s father was the town sheriff; his uncle Frank was a war hero and respected doctor. But the family’s solid foundation was suddenly shattered by a bombshell revelation. The Hayden’s Sioux housekeeper, Marie Little Soldier, tells them that Frank has been sexually assaulting his female Indian patients for years—and that she herself was his latest victim. As the tragic fallout unravels around David, he learns that truth is not what one believes it to be, that power is abused, and that sometimes one has to choose between loyalty and justice. Winner of the Milkweed National Fiction Prize
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Timebends Arthur Miller, 2012-01-01 The revealing and deeply moving autobiography of one of the greatest American playwrights of the twentieth century.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Tears of a Tiger Sharon M. Draper, 2013-07-23 The death of high school basketball star Rob Washington in an automobile accident affects the lives of his close friend Andy, who was driving the car, and many others in the school.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: A Voice from the South Anna J. Cooper, 2022-07-21 A Voice from the South: By a Black Woman of the South by Anna J. Cooper is a late 19th century book written by activist Anna J. Cooper. Recounting her story and the story of many like her, this book aimed to educate people on what life in the south was like for African individuals during a time when hardships were rampant.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Summer and Smoke Tennessee Williams, 1950 THE STORY: A play that is profoundly affecting, SUMMER AND SMOKE is a simple love story of a somewhat puritanical Southern girl and an unpuritanical young doctor. Each is basically attracted to the other but because of their divergent attitudes toward lif
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: A Complicated Kindness Miriam Toews, 2014-04-03 A work of fierce originality and brilliance, Miriam Toews' novel explores the ties that bind families together and the forces that tear them apart. It is the world according to Nomi Nickel, a heartbreakingly bewildered and wry young woman trapped in a small Mennonite town that seeks to set her on the path to righteousness and smother her at the same time.'Half of our family, the better-looking half, is missing,' Nomi tells us at the beginning of A Complicated Kindness. Left alone with her father Ray, her days are spent piecing together the reasons her mother Trudie and her sister Tash have gone missing, and trying to figure out what she can do to avoid a career at Happy Family Farms, a chicken abattoir on the outskirts of East Village - not the neighbourhood in Manhattan where Nomi most wants to live but the small town in southern Manitoba. East Village is ministered by Hans, Nomi's pious uncle, otherwise known as The Mouth.As Nomi gets to the bottom of the truth behind her mother's and sister's disappearances, she finds herself on a direct collision course with her uncle and the only community she has ever known. In this funny, compassionate and moving novel, Miriam Toews has created a character who will stay in the hearts of readers long after they've put the book down.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Jahanara, Princess of Princesses Kathryn Lasky, 2002 Written by a Newbery Honor-winning author, this is the story of a princess who longs for freedom. Jahanara is the daughter of a rich emperor in India. While she is showered with many riches, she is also confined by her strict religion and the rules of the palace.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Salem Witchcraft Charles Wentworth Upham, 1867 Salem Witchcraft is one of the most famous books published on the Salem Witch Trials. Author Charles Upham was a foremost scholar on the subject, as well as a Massachusetts senator. Only volume one of the series is included in this Anthology.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Jane Austen Brian Charles Southam, 1995
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Born Again Charles W. Colson, 2008-09-01 In 1974 Charles W. Colson pleaded guilty to Watergate-related offenses and, after a tumultuous investigation, served seven months in prison. In his search for meaning and purpose in the face of the Watergate scandal, Colson penned Born Again. This unforgettable memoir shows a man who, seeking fulfillment in success and power, found it, paradoxically, in national disgrace and prison. In more than three decades since its initial publication, Born Again has brought hope and encouragement to millions. This remarkable story of new life continues to influence lives around the world. This expanded edition includes a brand-new introduction and a new epilogue by Colson, recounting the writing of his bestselling book and detailing some of the ways his background and ministry have brought hope and encouragement to so many.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: The Family Crucible Augustus Y. Napier, PhD, Carl A. Whitaker, M.D., 2011-10-18 “If you have a troubled marriage, a troubled child, a troubled self, if you’re in therapy or think that there’s no help for your predicament, The Family Crucible will give you insights . . . that are remarkably fresh and helpful.”—New York Times Book Review The classic groundbreaking book on family therapy by acclaimed experts Augustus Y. Napier, Ph.D., and Carl Whitaker, M.D. This extraordinary book presents scenarios of one family’s therapy experience and explains what underlies each encounter. You will discover the general patterns that are common to all families—stress, polarization and escalation, scapegoating, triangulation, blaming, and the diffusion of identity—and you will gain a vivid understanding of the intriguing field of family therapy.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Fever 1793 Laurie Halse Anderson, 2011-08-16 It's late summer 1793, and the streets of Philadelphia are abuzz with mosquitoes and rumors of fever. Down near the docks, many have taken ill, and the fatalities are mounting. Now they include Polly, the serving girl at the Cook Coffeehouse. But fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook doesn't get a moment to mourn the passing of her childhood playmate. New customers have overrun her family's coffee shop, located far from the mosquito-infested river, and Mattie's concerns of fever are all but overshadowed by dreams of growing her family's small business into a thriving enterprise. But when the fever begins to strike closer to home, Mattie's struggle to build a new life must give way to a new fight-the fight to stay alive.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: The Wonders of the Invisible World Cotton Mather, 1862
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Screen Plays Amanda Wrigley, John Wyver, 2022-03-29 Screen plays is a ground-breaking volume thatchronicles the rich and surprising history of stage plays produced for the small screen between 1930 and today. The collection makes a compelling case for the centrality of the theatre to the past and present of British television drama.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Kaffir Boy Mark Mathabane, 1986 A Black writer describes his childhood in South Africa under apartheid and recounts how Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith helped him leave for America on a tennis scholarship
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: An Underground Life Gad Beck, Frank Heibert, 1999 That a Jew living in Nazi Berlin survived the Holocaust at all is surprising. That he was a homosexual and a teenage leader in the resistance and yet survived is amazing. But that he endured the ongoing horror with an open heart, with love and without vitriol, and has written about it so beautifully is truly miraculous. This is Gad Beck's story.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt Bernard Rosenthal, Gretchen A. Adams, 2009-01-26 This book offers a comprehensive record of legal documents written in 1692 and 1693 in connection with the Salem witch trials. It is the most comprehensive edition of those records ever published, and includes for the first time the records in chronological order, all newly transcribed from the original manuscripts
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Death of a Salesman and The Crucible Bernard F. Dukore, 1989
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Arthur Miller's The Crucible Harold Bloom, 2008 A collection of critical essays that examines Arthur Miller's classic drama, The Crucible; and contains an historical overview of the play, chronology of the life and works of the author, and introduction by Harold Bloom.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Trifles Susan Glaspell, 1916
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john and elizabeth proctor relationship: Anxious Masculinity in the Drama of Arthur Miller and Beyond Claire Gleitman, 2022-05-19 This study examines the anxious male breadwinner as he is incarnated in Arthur Miller's most celebrated plays and as he resurfaces in different guises throughout American drama, from the 1950s to the present. It offers a compelling analysis of gender dynamics – staunchly homosocial, vaguely or overtly misogynistic, anxiously homophobic – and the legacy of this figure in the works of other American dramatists. Throughout, the book argues that the gendered anxieties exhibited by the anxious male breadwinner are the very ones invoked with such success by Donald Trump. Gleitman examines this figure in the plays of Tennessee Williams, later 20th century writers Lorraine Hansberry, David Mamet, August Wilson, and Sam Shepard (who reposition him in more racially and economically marginalized settings), and in the more recent work of Tony Kushner, Paula Vogel, and Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori, who shift their focus to the next generation, which seeks to escape his clutches and forge new, often gleefully queer identities. The final chapter concerns contemporary Black dramatists Suzan-Lori Parks, Jackie Sibblies Drury, and Jeremy O. Harris, whose plays move us from anxious masculinity to anxious whiteness and speak directly to the current moment.
john and elizabeth proctor relationship: How to Begin Studying English Literature Nicholas Marsh, 2016-06-07 How to Begin Studying English Literature has established itself as one of the most successful and popular introductory student guides in the field. This fourth edition has been fully revised and expanded throughout, and now includes more examples and commentary on texts as well as a third essay-writing chapter, tackling critics and context. This book shows the reader how to approach novels, plays and poems, featuring chapters on themes, characters, structure, style, irony and analysis. In addition, sections on revision, exams and further development of study skills make this book an invaluable companion for anyone beginning to study English literature.