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mcastello13 's review for:
The Crucible
by Arthur Miller
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Believe it or not I had never read or seen this performed before, and looking back now I kind of wish I had kept it that way. But I’m seeing this performed at Shakespeare’s Globe soon, and thought it would be a good idea to read it ahead of time.
On one hand I’m glad I’ve read it to finally have a better understanding of its cultural relevance, and of course I see - to a certain degree - why it’s retained its status and place in the canon over the decades.
But I just disliked it so much. The writing and the way all the characters spoke felt unrealistic (even for the time) and really grated on me, but more than that, the fact that an event which destroyed the lives of primarily old women and young girls is written here in a way that mostly centers male voices and narratives, and turns young women into villains while making John Proctor the hero, is, well - not really surprising considering the time and place in which it was written, and by whom, yet is still massively frustrating. I just feel there are so many more interesting and relevant explorations of the Salem Witch Trials out there.
That all said, maybe seeing this performed live will change my mind? I kind of doubt it, but we’ll see.
On one hand I’m glad I’ve read it to finally have a better understanding of its cultural relevance, and of course I see - to a certain degree - why it’s retained its status and place in the canon over the decades.
But I just disliked it so much. The writing and the way all the characters spoke felt unrealistic (even for the time) and really grated on me, but more than that, the fact that an event which destroyed the lives of primarily old women and young girls is written here in a way that mostly centers male voices and narratives, and turns young women into villains while making John Proctor the hero, is, well - not really surprising considering the time and place in which it was written, and by whom, yet is still massively frustrating. I just feel there are so many more interesting and relevant explorations of the Salem Witch Trials out there.
That all said, maybe seeing this performed live will change my mind? I kind of doubt it, but we’ll see.