Name:_____________________________ Date:__________
Mrs. Thompson The Crucible
NATURAL LANGUAGE
DIRECTIONS: Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible in 1953 and since he sought to make his work historically accurate, he crafted dialogue that was natural for the time period. Though many of us sigh at the thought of reading literature like this, it is simple to follow if we follow some logical steps. First, let me start by reminding you that when people are having a conversation, they often speak using incorrect grammar. Likewise, some of the dialogue in The Crucible is written informally to make it seem more realistic to the reader. Let's take a look at one example.
- As an example, read the following quotation and think how it can be rewritten more formally:
"Abby, we've got to tell. Witchery's a hangin' error, a hangin' like they done in Boston two year ago! We must tell the truth, Abby! You'll only be whipped for dancin', and the other things!" (Pg. 18-19)
- Now examine the same quotation that has been rewritten to follow the formal grammar rules of the English language:
Abigail, we have to tell because witchcraft is a sin for which we can be hanged; witches were hanged two years ago in Boston. We have to tell the truth, Abigail! If you tell the truth, you will only be whipped for dancing and the other activities!
DIRECTIONS (con't): So, I'd like you to get acclimated to the language of The Crucible today. This will help not only during this unit, but for future units and any other piece of literature like this that you encounter
Remember these guidelines for understanding this style of writing:
- Change archaic words:
- DOST/DOTH—does (verb)
- HAST/HATH—has (verb)
- NAUGHT—nothing (pronoun)
- THEE—you (pronoun: object form)
- THINE—your (possessive pronoun)
- THITHER—there; to that place (adverb)
- THOU—you (pronoun: subject form)
- THY—your (possessive pronoun)
- THYSELF—yourself (reflexive pronoun)
- 'TIS—it is
- WHENCE—from where; from what source; from what place (adverb)
- DOST/DOTH—does (verb)
- Omit contractions. For example, replace "we've" with "we have."
- Omit any dialect, dated, or slang terminology, such as "dancin'."
- Write in complete sentences. Sometimes we do not speak in complete sentences, but it is best to write using formal language for academic purposes. Also, combine multiple short sentences into longer, more complex sentences.
- Omit any unnecessary words.
- Add words for clarity if necessary.
- Do not begin sentences with "and" or "but," simply begin the sentence with the next word in the sentence.
- Fix all grammatical errors.
- Improve vocabulary as much as possible.
- "He bid me come and tell you, reverend sir, that he cannot discover no medicine for it in his books" (Miller 9).
- "She ails as she must—she never waked this morning, but her eyes open and she walks, and hears naught, sees naught, and cannot eat. Her soul is taken, surely" (Miller 13).
- "It's weirdish, I know not—she seems to walk like a dead one since last night" (Miller 18).
- "No, he'll be comin' up. Listen, now; if they be questioning us, tell them we danced—I
told him as much already" (Miller 18).
- "I'll show you a great doin' on your arse one of these days. Now get you home; my wife is
waitin' with your work!" (Miller 21).
- "I cannot sleep for dreamin'; I cannot dream but I wake and walk about the house as
though I'd find you comin' through some door" (Miller 23).
- "She is blackening my name in the village! She is telling lies about me! She is a cold,
snivelling woman, and you bend to her! Let her turn you like a–" (Miller 23-24).
