Sacrifice English Essay
Sacrifice English Essay
Sacrifice English Essay
Why do we have to sacrifice ourselves for the good of all? Is sacrifice something that’s always going
to have a positive result? What’s the true meaning of sacrifice?
Sacrifice is often portrayed as a necessary component for success in both books and movies.
Analyzing the experiences of the main characters in each work—Eilis Lacey in "Brooklyn" and John
Proctor in "The Crucible"—often reveals more about how the sacrifices they made correspond to and
contribute to their distinct routes to success.
Success in "Brooklyn" through Sacrifice: John Crowley's film "Brooklyn," navigates main character
Eilis Lacey on her trip from Ireland to the States, exploring both her accomplishments and sacrifices
made on her journey to success. Eilis throws up her past, her family, and her comfortable
surroundings in return for the possibility of a better future in America. Eilis initially finds this sacrifice
challenging because she is homesick and feels alienated in her new society. She gives up a lot to live
up to her family's expectations, changing who she is, denying her own desires, and adjusting to a
new social structure. The greatest example of Eilis's sacrifice is her choice to remain in Brooklyn
despite the strong emotional tug she felt to return home. In the end, the willingness to give up
familiarity and comfort becomes the driving force behind her success. Through accepting the
difficulties of her new life, Eilis becomes independent, pursues her education, and gains
employment. Eilis succeeds in her job and romantic life in addition to achieving personal growth with
taking risks and sacrifices. This is an example of character success and development.
Sacrifice in "The Crucible “John Proctor gives up a lot in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible," mostly
to protect his morals and integrity. His reputation and social position in the community are among
the greatest sacrifices he makes. By confessing to the court that he had an affair with Abigail
Williams, a young woman who has wrongly accused numerous people of witchcraft, Proctor
jeopardizes his reputation. Proctor stains his reputation in the community's eyes by confessing his
transgression, but he does it to discredit Abigail and protect his wife Elizabeth from unjust
accusations. In terms of success, Proctor's sacrifices are not in vain. A quote from the novel says “"I
have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name
nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!". This
quote represents the meaning of sacrifice as he is openly admitting to the public to save what he
values the most. While he may not survive physically, his refusal to lie and his willingness to sacrifice
himself inspire others to question the legitimacy of the witch trials. His actions ultimately contribute
to the downfall of the witch trials and serve as a catalyst for change in the community's perception of
justice and truth. Therefore, in the broader sense of moral victory, Proctor succeeds in his sacrifice.
Reverend Parris' reluctance to face the truth about the allegations of witchcraft in Salem is another
way that his sacrifice may be perceived as one that finally fails. At first, Parris is more focused on
maintaining his position in the community and his reputation than he is on finding the truth or
justice. Parris gives up his moral integrity and his duty as a religious authority by permitting the witch
hunts to go unhindered. Even when the girls provide evidence of their dishonesty, he does not
dispute the veracity of their charges. Rather, he decides to back the trials to keep control of the
situation and his power. But when panic spreads and innocent people are falsely accused and put to
death, Parris's shortcomings are exposed. He tries to maintain his reputation, but the villagers reject
him and isolate him more and more. Many innocent lives are lost, and Salem ultimately falls because
of his inability to face reality. Parris's self-preservation at the expense of moral integrity and the truth
ultimately backfires, costing him his position of power and destroying the community he was
supposed to serve.
Conclusion:
In both "Brooklyn" and "The Crucible," the protagonists' journeys toward achievement depend
heavily on sacrifice. While John Proctor sacrifices his life and reputation in the end, it leads to moral
victory and societal reform, Eilis Lacey achieves both personally and professionally via her adaptation
to a new life and sacrifice of her past. These stories shed light on the complex relationship between
sacrifice and success, showing that real success frequently entails being prepared to give up
something of value in order to further one's own development, uphold moral principles, or advance
society.