'Personal choice'
Personal choice is the ability to make up ones mind regarding a particular decision, moral or belief with complete autonomy and forthrightness, lacking apprehension upon their own judgement. It has been acknowledged, as a greatly significant issue, which we have perceived through various texts. "The Wave" and "The Crucible" have been two comparative texts in the sense of highlighting the concept of personal choice, however each have approached the subject-matter in a different light, more correctly through distinct techniques, in order to attain the appropriate response. "The Crucible" is a play, therefore it is a visual medium with the objective of stage performance attracting spectators, as opposed to "The Wave" where the mode of production is relying on interpretation of the written word. Thus the two texts are different mediums of production and rely on contrasted techniques, each methodology playing an important role to each aspect of both texts. For example, in the 'The Wave' the author may place emphasis on the language throughout the novel in order to gain the readers involvement. Since 'The Crucible', conceived to be performed, shows focus towards lighting, sound and costumes, consequently in the process of reading the p
Within the circle of 'the propagandist' and 'the perspicacious one', lie what I like to dub 'the influenced'. Of course the extent of their perplexity would be accentuated at different levels, depending on the vulnerability and mental stability of the person. For instance, Robert Billings was constantly tormented and dubbed 'the loser' which accounts for his obvious unstable mental outlook. Perhaps this character can be compared with Thomas Putman, a deeply embittered man with a naturally vindictive nature, or Reverend Parris, cutting a villainous path in history and therefore desperately trying to rebuild a commendable reputation. Perhaps the ignorance and naivete of others would be the reason for their blindness. Such characters in 'The Wave' include Amy Smith, David Collins and Brian Ammon, in relation to such temperaments in 'The Crucible' Mary Warren and Betty. The problem with the latter is basically that they are weak-minded and lacking the knowledge, insight and more importantly courage to rise above superior pressure which threatens their freedom to personal choice. Reading a visual medium is relatively like reading a blue print, where every detail is meticulously drawn up so ultimatley it can be finished product, there is nothing more to create really, in contrary to a novel where the creative imagination has no boundaries. The setting in both texts as far as the physical environment is concerned differs somewhat, this very distinction is what creates the irony between them. The irony is evidently the fact that in 1969, California was known a democracy, where free speech and more importantly 'personal choice' was influenced, whereas the people of Salem were finding it difficult to conform to a society so greatly
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Approximate Word count = 1170
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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