However, Christ''s extremely symbolic life has produced a commonly- used metaphorical symbol known as the sacrificial lamb, or a character who suffers or the good of the people. The sacrificial lamb has been utilized in the works of many authors such as Euripides, Charles Dickinson, and notably Arthur Miller. In his historically-based play the Crucible, Miller chose John Proctor, a previously-mistaken but honorable man, as the person who sacrifices his life to save the rest of Salem.
Proctor, refusing to die breaking more than one commandment, does not admit to practicing witchcraft, even if doing so would save his life because he would be living with permanent shame upon his name, evident when he cries in court, "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life. (Miller 127)" Proctor as the sacrificial lamb in Miller''s play proves the theme correct, that lies may be truth and truth may be lies. Some attributes of a Christ figure mentioned by Thomas C.
Foster are unmarried and preferably celibate; the age of or near thirty-three; wounded or marked on the hands, feet, sides of body, and head; tempted, if possible, into the wilderness by evil; and most importantly, sacrificed by others for the greater-good (Foster 122). The latter quality is the basis for the concept of a sacrificial lamb. In the Bible, the hedding of Christ''s blood during his crucifixion acts as the price for all past, present, and future sins of the world.
The modern authors who apply the notion of a sacrificial lamb as a premise of a character use the definition metaphorically, yet Just as significantly, in their literature. A sacrificial lamb in literature, though not experiencing what Christ experienced, may sacrifice, feel the pain of an entire group, and even die for the benefit of others. On the contrary, a sacrificial lamb need not be the perfect human that was Christ, or not even morally good, for that matter. In
Miller''s Crucible, the clear sacrificial lamb is John Proctor, ironically, an adulterer who forgets the one commandment he broke. The fact that Proctor, a human with many mistakes in his past, turns out to be a sacrificial lamb, shows that a sacrificial lamb need not be a Christ fgure, or even Christian, for that matter. Proctor, a man with an adulterine past, a less-than-stellar relationship with his wife, a bad name in the town of Salem, seems the least-eligible person for the role of a sacrificial lamb in the play.
This proves not only that the outward appearance and behaviors of a person does ot equate with the internal intentions of the person, but that any character could be a sacrificial lamb, no matter status, age, race, sex, or history. Using a Christian-based complex in a secular piece of literature could A sacrificial lamb is a character an worldly-significant as Christ, a sacrificial lamb could and most likely saves at least one other person by sacrificing himself in some way or another, intentional or not.
A sacrificial lamb does not have to be blatantly obvious, nor so Christ-like that he could be Christ (Foster 117) but simply, must sacrifice for the benefit of someone else. The sacrifice needs to be a choice, though. Deciding whether or not to actually sacrifice is most likely a factor raised in literature with sacrificial lambs. Though Jesus Christ did in fact, sacrifice his body for the good of mankind, he had the option to release himself from the cross, as he was God and is all-powerful (New International Version, John 10:30).
Had Christ not have sacrificed himself, he would not be the quintessential sacrificial lamb still referenced today. However a difference between Christ''s story and literature, is that Christ was aware of his plan before he had to go hrough with it. This was not the case with John Proctor. Though the readers can assume that as a result of his death, the town of Salem realized their insanity and stopped accusing people of witchcraft and wizardry, Proctor was not aware of this possible scenario as he was preparing to hang for his false allegation.
John Proctor died because he refused to lie anymore about the trials, but unintentionally saved the rest of the accused by committing to his beliefs. Had Proctor tried to save his own life and confirmed witchcraft activity, he would not have sacrificed himself, and it eems that Salem would have continued its gruesome appetite for human flesh. Obviously Elizabeth Proctor chose the latter without considering the consequences when she said "l want you living, John. That''s sure," which is understandable taking into account the state of their family and town (Miller 116).
From an author''s point of view, the sacrificial lamb could stand for much more than a parallel to Christianity. A sacrificial lamb is someone that chooses the people suffering around him than himself. He has to make the choice whether to save his life or many others, xemplified in the 2009 film, The Box, in which a fortune can be earned if a button inside a box is pressed, although the button simultaneously kills a random person in the world (Kelly). Arthur Miller''s, as well as any author''s use of the concept of a sacrificial lamb is all but arbitrary. This rhetorical device creates meaning throughout his play.
By giving Proctor the role of the sacrificial lamb, Miller created a parallel between the Crucible and the Bible, giving the knowledgeable reader more insight than the occasional bookworm. Once the readers connect Proctor to the original sacrificial lamb, nferences can be concluded and deeper meaning can be made throughout the play, such as the effect of the witch trials after Proctor''s death. Proctor''s quote, "Why my name? You already have my soul, so why must you take my name? (Miller 128)" is similar in both context and structure to Christ''s last words, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? NIV, Matthew 27:46)" More importantly, Miller''s use of the sacrificial lamb supports the overall theme of his play, that lies may be truth and truth may be lies. The town''s demise comes from the belief that if something is proclaimed, it is true. This is evident when the whole town crumbles under the believed lies of teenage girls. Also, in Salem, what was not said was believed to be a concealed lie, apparent when women are accused of witchery as they stood in silence, the truth painfully expressed and disbelieved time and time again.
This The sacrifice of his body was the catalyst to the town''s understanding of the theme, that spoken truth'' seldom is. Proctor''s unnecessary death proves the error of Salem''s witch trials, ending them at last. A sacrificial lamb is not exclusively a Christian complex despite the fact that the true sacrificial lamb was Jesus Christ. However, when the concept of a sacrificial lamb is referenced in literature, it is used for one purpose, or, a character''s decision to make a selfless decision for the benefit of a majority.
Though Christ''s purpose was to save someone as a sacrificial lamb, literature-based sacrificial lambs are used in other ways, such as discovering self- worth and saving loved ones. Though comparing such as esteemed fgure to insignificant characters could be deemed heretical by some, incorporating a sacrificial lamb in a text helps add meaning and reiterate the theme, as evident when Arthur Miller uses John Proctor as the sacrificial lamb in his play, the Crucible. Works Cited Miller, Arthur. The Crucible.
Untitled Document. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. The Box. Dir. Richard Kelly. Prod. Richard Kelly, Dan Lin, and Sean McKittrick. Perf. Cameron Diaz and James Marsden. Radar Pictures, 2009. DVD. "John 10:10 and Matthew 27:46. " New International Version Bible. Print. Foster, Thomas C. "Chapters 7(... Or the Bible) and 14(She''s a Christ Figure, Too). " How to Read Literature like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading between the Lines. New York: Quill, 2003. Print. " Troperville. " RSS. web. 09 oct. 2013.
No comments:
Post a Comment