In Sabina Berman’s Heresy we see many recurring themes from
other readings, namely The Crucible and Body of Pain. The play begins and ends
in acts of torture, and those who are tortured are ready to resort to any
method to stop the pain. In a time where information was scarce regarding
religion and beliefs, Heresy also reflects how the smallest of human actions
can be cause for suspicion.
In the case of Dona Fransisca, she is subjected to intense physical torture of beatings on the ‘rack’, as well as psychological torture that includes the public humiliation she had to face when she was forced to walk between the cells naked (Pg 156), and furthermore when her son was forced to look at her in that state and even comment on her built. After this ordeal she confessed to believing in Christ, but did not name any others. After a fifth round on the rack, finally she gave out the names of others involved (Whether they were actually guilty, or not is unknown to us).
Now despite this confession, at the end of the play on Pg 161, she is still convicted because she “feigned penitence” and burnt at the stake. Promises were made to the accused in order to obtain the names of others involved, but were never kept. This goes to show how torture is used not to obtain the “truth” but just to obtain information that those inflicting the torture wish to hear.
In the case of Dona Fransisca, she is subjected to intense physical torture of beatings on the ‘rack’, as well as psychological torture that includes the public humiliation she had to face when she was forced to walk between the cells naked (Pg 156), and furthermore when her son was forced to look at her in that state and even comment on her built. After this ordeal she confessed to believing in Christ, but did not name any others. After a fifth round on the rack, finally she gave out the names of others involved (Whether they were actually guilty, or not is unknown to us).
Now despite this confession, at the end of the play on Pg 161, she is still convicted because she “feigned penitence” and burnt at the stake. Promises were made to the accused in order to obtain the names of others involved, but were never kept. This goes to show how torture is used not to obtain the “truth” but just to obtain information that those inflicting the torture wish to hear.
I fully agree with your comparison between "Heresy" and the other works we have read thus far. The scenes in the play share similar aspects and situations to Miller's "The Crucible', while demonstrating and elaborating on what was explained by Scarry's "Body of Pain". In response to your claim that "Heresy" involves suspicions for the smallest of human actions can relate back to the idea that torture can be used as a way of demonstrating one's power, rather than just as a way to get information out. In this case, even a small, insignificant action can be enough to "justify" as a proper reason to start torture.
ReplyDeleteIn Dona Francisca's case, torture eventually drags out the information that the interrogators wanted to know, despite her initial determination and resistance. Relating back to Scarry, through pain - whether physical or psychological, torture causes people's worlds to crumble, destroying their senses of nobility and pride in the process.
I agree that Dona Francisca had confess after continuous physical and psychological torturing because she was close to dying. The clerks were not necessarily looking for the truth, rather they just wanted her to repeat what they suspected of her doing. Breaking down ones body would cause him or her to confess even if it is a lie. Dona Francisca was determined to not give information to the clerks, but she had to confess in order to stop the pain. That is what torture is used for, to get information, whether true or false, out of a person just like Dona Francisca.
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