Reading & Creating Texts – Unit 1
After you've developed a sound understanding of your set texts as individual works and have begun to make some basic comparisons, you are ready to begin a more in-depth exploration of the ways in which the texts can be compared. The set texts chosen for comparative study have been selected because they explore related issues, ideas and themes. When you compare these texts rather than considering them individually, you will develop a greater understanding of the common concepts they explore. There may be many aspects of your texts that are worthy of comparison. You should be able to easily identify similarities and differences in plot, character and setting, but the challenge is to consider how an appreciation of these similarities and differences can help you develop a deeper understanding of the related issues and ideas. Looking for meaningful connections between the texts helps you develop an awareness of different perspectives on a common theme, which can enrich your own perspective on the world and on human experience.
COMPARING ELEMENTS OF PLOT Plot Is one of the most crucial points of comparison when considering related texts. Texts are unlikely to have an Identical plot, but they will often have turning points or crisis points that resemble one another. In making a comparison between crucial moments from the text pair, you will be able to explore the way In which different individuals react to moments of conflict and further develop your understanding of the issues and ideas that the two texts share.
Comparing Related Moments The following extract is taken from the opening act of The Crucible, after Abigail Williams, her cousin Betty Parris and several other girls from the village have been caught playing at witchcraft in the forest at night. After a lengthy interrogation, Abigail finally appears to be ready to confess to her apparent crime. The scene ends in hysteria, as accusations are quickly levelled at a large number of women in the town. As a consequence, the named women, as well as many other townsfolk, are imprisoned and tried for witchcraft, and a number are executed.
VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2
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Reading & Creating Texts – Unit 1
THE CRUCIBLE, ARTHUR MILLER [ABIGAIL rises, staring as though inspired, and cries out] ABIGAIL: I want to open myself! [They turn to her, startled. She is enraptured, as though in a pearly light] I want the light of God; I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil! [As she is speaking, BETTY is rising from the bed, a fever in her eyes, and picks up the chant] BETTY: I saw George Jacobs with the Devil! I saw Goody Howe with the D evil! PARRIS: She speaks! [He rushes to embrace BETTY] She speaks! HALE: Glory to God! It is broken, they are free! BETTY [calling out hysterically and with great relief]: I saw Martha Bellows with the Devil! ABIGAIL: I saw Goody Sibber with the Devil! [It is rising to a great glee] PUTNAM: The marshal, I'll call the marshal! [PARRIS is shouting a prayer of thanksgiving] BETTY: I saw Alice Barrow with the Devil! [The curtain begins to fall] HALE [as PUTNAM goes out]: Let the marshal bring irons! ABIGAIL: I saw Goody Hawkins with the Devil! BETTY: I saw Goody Bibber with the Devil! ABIGAIL: I saw Goody Booth with the devil! [On their ecstatic cries THE CURTAIN FALLS] Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. Penguin, New York, 1999, pp. 49-50.
This extract from Year of Wonders depicts a similar scene. After the plague has killed a number of people in the village, suspicion and mistrust develop, with some villagers believing that the disease is actually the result of curses by Mem Gowdte and her niece Anys. As both women are known as healers and have had contact with many of the sick, these baseless accusations quickly gain traction and Mem is subjected to trial-by-drowning to see If she is a witch. When Anys steps in to save her aunt, the townsfolk turn on her.
YEAR OF WONDERS, GERALDINE BROOKS I saw the noose go around Anys's neck and knew they planned to hang her with her own rope, using the stowes as a scaffold. What I did not foresee was what happened next, for Anys Gowdte ceased her struggling then and drew herself up to her full, Impressive height. Her cap had fallen off and the tendrils of her wet hair fell about her like strange golden snakes. A trickle of bright blood ran from her mouth. 'Yes,' she said, her voice deep and uncanny, 'I am the Devil's creature, and mark me, he will be revenged for my life!' The men who held her stepped back apiece, making the sign of the cross and the other, older sign, against strong magic. Anys!' I groaned. 'Don't say these things! You know they are not so!' She looked at me where Hay on the ground and gave a ghostly smile. But In her eyes, I read judgment: my loose tongue had helped betray her. Then she looked away and stared all round her at her persecutors. The sun, slipping below the horizon, found a narrow silt In the louring clouds. Through It, sudden and swift, beamed a lonely finger of light. It sped over the hillsides, touching each tree and stone until It reached Anys and lit her up as If she were on fire. Her amber eyes glinted yellow as a cat's. I have lain with him. Yes! I have lain with the Devil, and he Is mighty and cold as tee to the touch. His seed, too Is cold and abundant as a river running between our thighs. For I have not lain with him alone! No! I tell you now, I have seen your wives lie with him! Yours, Brad Hamilton, and yours, John Gordon, and yours, too, Martin Highfleld!' The women moaned or screamed their outrage, but their men were transfixed by Anys and did not look at them. Brooks, Geraldine. Year of Wonders. Penguin, New York, 2002, pp. 92-3.
VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2
2
Reading & Creating Texts – Unit 1
Read the extracts from The Crucible and Year of Wonders. Then, annotate the passages to indicate any aspects of similarity in the text. Answer the following questions. 1. What do the interrogations of Abigail and Anys show about the levels of suspicion and mistrust in both communities? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do Abigail and Anys both provide false confessions? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Why do both women make accusations about others consorting with the Devil? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What are the possible consequences of these accusations? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What are the related ideas, issues and themes explored in both extracts? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________
VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2
3
Reading & Creating Texts – Unit 1
The passages from Year of Wonders and The Crucible both illustrate an especially negative response to a moment of crisis. In each text, both the accused and the accusers behave badly and appear to be more concerned with punishment and vengeance than with finding the truth. However, moments of crisis do not always show the worst sides of human nature.
Comparing Plot as A Whole As well as comparing similar moments, you also need to consider the entire plot of both of the texts you are studying. Comparing the narrative of both works will assist you in developing an understanding of how similar or related events can arise, as well as allowing you to analyse the consequences of these events. In examining the whole plot of two texts, you should also be able to build your understanding of the Ideas, Issues and themes that the texts have in common, as well as consider the differing perspectives of both authors in relation to these elements.
Plot Comparison Table Complete this Comparison Table for ’12 Angry Men’ & ‘The Crucible’.
12 ANGRY MEN
THE CRUCIBLE
Opening of text
First major event
Second major event Third major event Development of key relationship Moment of conflict or crisis Moment of character growth
Resolution
VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2
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