Human Nature in Sebastian Faulks Birdsong and Arthur Millers The Cruc

Human Nature in Sebastian Faulks Birdsong and Arthur Millers The CrucibleBoth The Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller, and the novel,Birdsong, by Sebastian Faulks, ar pieces of literature base aroundhistorical events. Millers play is set during the Salem Witch trialsof 1692 and Birdsong concentrates primarily on characters involved inthe First World War which took turn out from 1914 to 1918. Both of theseperiods in history are examples of times when human beings havedisplayed the darker side to their nature the susceptibility to kill. BothFaulks and Miller have attempted to research the reasons behind theircharacters actions along with the mechanisms and strong emotionswithin humans that make ordinary people capable of committingatrocities. However, the authors also highlight the positive aspectsof human nature, the great love, fearlessness and loyalty which manages toemerge unscathed out of the most horrific circumstances.As I have already mentioned both The Crucible and Birdsong exploremans capacity to kill other human beings. The two pieces, however,approach this subject in very different ways. Arthur Millers play,set during the Salem Witch hunt, concentrates on the various emotions,such(prenominal) as fear, greed and revenge, driving individuals to accuse theirfriends and neighbours of witchcraft. Birdsong, on the other hand,depicts a much larger conflict and focuses more on the ability of thesoldiers to withstand the horrors that they are witnessing andcommitting everyday.In his play, The Crucible, Arthur Miller illustrates a great number ofhuman emotions and tensions within the Salem community which, whencombined, result in the execution of many people on the grounds thatthey are... ...he dangers of forgettingthe past. Elizabeths life seems so tranquil compared to that ofStephen Wraysford but the fact that the Second World War followed soshortly after the First demonstrates how easy it is for military personnel torepeat the errors of the past . Equipped with this knowledge the readerrealises that even Elizabeths comfortable, peaceful lifestyle isvulnerable and at risk.The Crucible and Birdsong, in their different ways, both highlight thecomplexness of human nature where love, loyalty and honesty co-existwith hatred, fear and suspicion. This means that even in times ofconflict and slaughter people display the ability to love, combine andmake sacrifices. However the greatest flaw in mankinds makeup is theability to forget the horrors of the past, therefore allowing thecontinual repetition throughout history of the same, fatal mistakes.