Crucible Test Study Guide
Miller colors the dialogue in his play with the use of dialect, or specific egional speech. Pick out some examples of dialect in this act. How effective is this use of dialect?
"He say Mr. Parris be kill!""Mr. Parris no goodly man."
In what ways might the following characters be regarded as dynamic: John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Giles Corey, Mary Warren, and John Hale?
1. John Proctor such a dynamic character is the fact that he admitted his mistake. John admitted to committing adultery with Abigail Williams "I have which broke one of the Ten Commandments "Thou shalt not commit adultery". This is one of the most important of the Ten Commandments. In the beginning of the play, John is sorry about the affair and mainly wants Abigail to forget about it so he does not get in trouble. This shows how John Proctor went from putting the affair aside and keeping it secret, to admitting his actions, showing his forgiveness, and becoming a moral and honest person. Secondly, from the beginning to the end of the play, John Proctor goes from not believing witchcraft to rather giving up his life than accusing other people of witchcraft.
Much of the force of the play derives from irony, or a pointed discrepancy between ap- pearance and reality. Identify and comment on two or three outstanding uses of irony in The Crucible that you find especially effec- tive.
1.Dramatic Irony: Elizabeth denies that her husband committed adultery to try to protect him but she doesn't know that he already confessed to it. Then she is taken away because she lied in court and John tells her he had already confessed as she is being taken out. 2. "John Proctor"Do that which is good, and no harm shall come to thee." Verbal/Situational Irony: This is ironic because the Puritans believed lying separates a person from God, however the accused had to lie and confess to witchcraft in order to live. If they told the truth they were not believed and were sentenced to death. 3.Judge Danforth"I tell you straight, Mister—I have seen marvels in this court. I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits; I have seen them stuck by pins and slashed by daggers. I have until this moment not the slightest reason to suspect that the children may be deceiving me." ~Dramatic Irony: We know that Abigail has been lying the whole time and convincing others to believe her. Judge Danforth does not know she has been lying.
The Crucible starts on an ominous note, with Samuel Parris in a state of frantic worry. From the very beginning the atmosphere of the play is tense and sinister. Nevertheless, the playwright succeeds in raising the level of tension ever higher throughout the four acts of the drama. Analyze and evaluate the role of suspense in the play.
1.Proctor, promised a reunion with his wife Elizabeth, confesses to witchcraft but declines to name names to Deputy Governor Danforth. The suspense hinges on Proctor's character: will he validate the confession and save his life at the expense of his conscience? 2.Miller builds up the tension using theatrical effects, language, the relationships of characters and the plot development, the structure of the act. He makes us visually aware of the tension using these tools. He needs tension as the story of the crucible is about witchcraft. 3...
The Crucible was first produced in
1953
In what ways might the following characters be regarded as dynamic: John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Giles Corey, Mary Warren, and John Hale? (continued)
2. Elizabeth is a dynamic character in the play, who changes her view on her husband's wrongdoing when instead of blaming it all on him she takes some of the blame and says the some of her insecurities stopped her from believing in his love. Elizabeth Proctor is an example of a dynamic character because she has a internal change which allows her to have a greater understanding of life. Her internal change occurs when she does not tell the judge that her husband had the affair with Abigail. Elizabeth Proctor is a dynamic character in that she changes in attitude, behavior, and personality. At first, Elizabeth is emotional and weak, fearful and suspicious of her husband, whom she tries to control. Later, after having been accused and imprisoned, Elizabeth grows in wisdom. When she speaks with John at the end of the play, she is calm and wise. She admits her mistakes, asks his forgiveness, and supports him as he makes his decision.
Arthur Miller is considered one of the foremost playwrights of the?
20th century.
In what ways might the following characters be regarded as dynamic: John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Giles Corey, Mary Warren, and John Hale? (continued)
3. Giles took a stand against the corrupt court, many in the village considered him a hero. Clearly, Giles can be considered a dynamic character in the play, as he started out not giving "a hoot for public opinion" (40) but later changed his mind and sacrificed himself for the benefit of others.
Irony
A contrast between expectation and reality;the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning
John Hale is one of the most important char- acters in the play. Do you find any hints in this act that suggest he will develop into a dy- namic character (one who changes under the pressure of events and conflicts)?
A dynamic character is a character who changes or grows throughout the course of the plot of a work, often because of the pressure of events and conflicts. The only hints that I can find in this act that suggest that he will develop into a dynamic character are him being so interrogative and true to his beliefs. Throughout the course of the play, it is possible but not guaranteed, that he will loosen up a bit. It is also possible but not guaranteed that he will learn not to shove his religion down other people's throats and be so religiously stiff.
verbal irony
A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant
What gift does Mary Warren present to Eliza- beth?
A poppet
What is the meaning of crucible in the title of the play? What kind of play does this title lead you to expect?
A severe trial in which different elements react to form something bad, gives off a dangerous feeling, there may be death, and no happy ending. test and trial. DRAMATIC
Miller often foreshadows his characteriza- tions with a descriptive phrase in the stage di- rections just before a character's first entrance. In the stage directions, what does he suggest about each of these characters: Abigail Wil- liams, Am Putnam, and Mercy Lewis? How do the dialogue and actions of each character in this act bear out Miller's suggestions?
Abigail has an endless capacity for dissembling, good at ruining things, 17Ann is filled with worry and apprehension, a twisted soul of 45, death ridden, haunted dreamsMercy is a fat, sly, merciless girl, an ironic name, sneaky, doesn't care about others, 18
Miller's first Broadway success was
All My Sons (1947), followed by Death of a Salesman (1949). He continued to write plays until his death in 2005.
situational irony
An outcome that turns out to be very different from what was expected
According to the stage directions, how does John Hale enter for the first time?
Arrives at Parris's house with a half dozen of heavy books
Compare and contrast the setting of this act with that of Act One. How are the two settings different? How are they similar in atmos- phere or mood?
Both settings take place in the private residence of private citizens. Act one takes place in Parris's house above the parish, and act two is in the Proctor home. In both acts there is intimidation and relationship stress going on. The setting in act two is much more personal than act one. We see the dynamics of a wounded relationship between the Proctors take place where as act one is primarily about the motif of witchcraft being introduced in the play.
Summarize your impressions of the Reverend Samuel Parris in this act. What are his princi- pal flaws or moral weaknesses?
Cares far too much about his reputation, a very greedy man, very stuck up
In sonme ways Deputy Governor Danforth is the character most dificult to understand. How would you define his relationship to Samuel Parris and Judge Hathorne as a foil, or con- trasting character? What is Danforth's basic predicament? Do you sympathize somewhat with this predicament, or in the end is Dan- forth held to a strict standard of justice and honor and found wanting?
Danforth & Parris: Danforth is a powerful man whose authority is helping further Parris' own interests. Parris, as the town reverend, is supposed to be powerful, but people in the town don't respect him as much as he thinks they should. Both Danforth and Hathorne believe unwaveringly in the Puritan government of Massachusetts.Danforth appears to be more intelligent than Judge Hathorne, and he seems to be the more legitimate judge. Throughout the play, Judge Danforth proves himself to be arrogant and deluded. He claims he is guided by justice, but time and time again, he shows his only true concern is being seen as the highest and most important authority in the court. If Danforth starts to second guess himself, he fears that people will be very upset, if he admits he unjustly killed 12 people, then he is the worst murderer of them all.
What compromise, or deal, does Danforth offer to Proctor? What is Proctor's response?
Danforth is willing to spare Elizabeth for a year for her pregnancy which should satisfy John if his purpose is to save Elizabeth. However, John is unwilling to accept the deal because he does not want to abandon his friends.
It is not until this act that Miller introduces play, Deputy Govemor Danforth. What are some of the elements of his complex person- ality in this act? How does the portrait of Danforth contrast, for example, with the char- acterizations in this act of Samuel Parris and Judge Hathome?
Danforth's arrival in Act 3 raises the stakes for the residents of Salem. He is there to convene trials of the accused, so when he tells John and the others he'll "burn a hot fire,", he means it. His words turn out to be true: while Danforth falsely condemns many people, he also does burn away John's lies and deception about his relationship with Abigail. Judge Danforth is different than Judge Hathorne because Danforth is committed to preserving the truth yet he will not acknowledge it when he hears it because he does not want to appear weak, Judge Hathorne is contemptuous of the towns people.Danforth is a rule follower, and Reverend Parris is self-serving when using power.
Why is the Reverend Samuel Parris so dis- traught at the beginning of Act One? What unnerves him about the report Susanna Wal- cott brings from Doctor Griggs? Why has Parris sent for Reverend Hale from Beverly?
Distraught as his daughter Betty will not wake. Unnerved about the report as the doctor could not find anything in his books and recommended they look into unnatural causes (bewitching). Sent for Reverend Hale as he was an expert on witches.
Hale's statement about Paris, "The man's ordained, therefore the light of God is in him."
Dramatic
The one Commandment out of ten that John Proctor can't remember
Dramatic because Rev. Hale doesn't know he had an affairs.
At the end of the play, when Hale urges Eliza- beth to make a last-minute appeal to ber hus- band, how does she respond?
Elizabeth tells Hale that John has finally found his "goodness," and that she will never take it away from him.
For what does Elizabeth ask John to forgive her?
For tempting him to lie to the court and not confess. Being suspicious and keeping a "cold house". For being so cold, for not believing that she could be lovable. She says she ran a cold house.
What do we learn in the exposition of the play about the events in the forest? What about Abigail William's past connections with the Proctor family?
Girls caught dancing in the forest, one was naked. Abigail was caught drinking blood to kill Elizabeth Proctor, possibly conjuring spirits, had an affair with John Proctor
How would you describe the atmosphere or mood at the end of this act? What might this atmosphere foreshadow about future events in the town of Salem?
Gloomy and dark, something bad is going to happen, hysteria
What theological argument does John Hale use to explain the causes of the events in Salem?
Hale claims that "The Devil is alive in Salem" and that God is testing the faith of the citizens of Salem or God is punishing the citizens for some really bad thing that they've done and won't admit.
According to John Hale, what is the present condition of the countryside?
Hale describes the countryside as desolate. Orphans wander from house to house; abandoned cows bellow on the roads; the crops are rotting; and everyone lives in a state of panic.
In what ways might the following characters be regarded as dynamic: John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Giles Corey, Mary Warren, and John Hale? (continued)
Hale epitomizes a very dynamic character. Throughout all of the drama in Salem, Hale changes drastically from a man with intentions to free the world from the clutches of satan to a person who realizes the Salem witch trials were all based on lies and tomfoolery. Reverend Hale is a dynamic character, he undergoes a dynamic change throughout the play. Based on his transformation, Hale truly is a good man.
What confession does Proctor make in open court? How does Danforth test the truth of this confession? What is the ironic result?
He confesses the affair. Danforth has him and Abigail turn their backs to Elizabeth who is asked why she fired Abigail. John Proctor confesses his affair with Abigail. Danforth asks for Elizabeth Proctor to confirm or deny this without knowing that John has already confessed. The result is ironic because for perhaps the first time in her life, she lies to protect her husband. She then finds out he had already made his confession.
How might John Hale be said to identify thee major underlying problem with the court's justice when he says, "There is a prodigious fear of this court in the country."
He identifies the idea that the court has inspired fear for being honest and telling the truth. The people know what can happen if they discuss witchcraft in any way, shape, fashion, or form. The reality is that no matter how they answer the questions of the court, they will cause or are in some kind of trouble.
How does Miller use diction or word choice to characterize John Proctor? Include examples of Proctor's dicition in your answer.
He is a physically strong man, cool tempered and not so easily provoked. He emerges as a down-to-earth man who speaks his mind and is not afraid in confronting those in front of the authority - the authority of society, priest and the court. Only his guilt of all with Elizabeth keeps him indecisive till the very end.
What do you think about the propriety of Danforth's insistence that Giles Corey name the anony- mous infomant who accused Thomas Putnam?
He wanted to know more about the case.
Why do you think Danforth is said to be alarmed at the news that Abigail and Mercy Lewis have fled? What inner conflict may this news rouse in him? How does this con- flict affect the course of his decisions in this act?
He's alarmed because mercy and Abigail where key witnesses in the case. the inner conflict is w/his christian principal and his duties. the moral is to stop killing, but if he doesn't he´ll have problems about this being fake
This act contains much rony. Explain how the following are ironic: a. John Proctor's confession
His confession is ironic because his past actions had been eating him out from the inside for months, and when he finally tried to confess and make amends, no one believes what he had done. This act contains much irony.
b. Proctor's passionate outburst at the end of the act, together with the court's intpretation of his remarks
His outburst shows irony because he was trying to show that the girls are lying and that people are innocent, but then he starts talking like a devil worshipper saying things like "God is Dead"
Among the many subjects explored in The Crucible are guilt, hypocrisy, the nature of au- thority, courage, justice, and hysteria. What do you think is the single most important subject of the play? Support your choice with specific reasons and references to the text.
In The Crucible, the idea of goodness is a major theme. Almost every character is concerned with the concept of goodness because their religion teaches them that the most important thing in life is how they will be judged by God after they die.
What structural parallel in Act Two is re- called by John's tearing up of his confession near the end of this act? How does this paral- lel relate to a theme of the play?
In act 2 Mary gave a poppet to Elizabeth and when the court came to arrest Elizabeth she was blamed for it, so John grabbed the warrant from Herrick and ripped it up. John wanted to show that it was false. The act of tearing it up the warrant parallels his own tearing of his confession.These actions touch on the theme of hypocrisy, lying and deceit . John was a constant advocate against deceipt, and his tearing of these two important documents symbolizes how his character tore through any falsity and exposed the real truth of matters.
What is the setting of this act? How much time has elapsed since the end of Act Three? (ACT 4)
It is now fall, and we are set in a cell in the jail in Salem, 3 months has passed.
The scene in the jail with Herick, Sarah Good, and Tituba can be seen as comic relief-for a moment he tension and seriousness of the play is reduced. Do you think there might also be a serious purpose in this scene? If so, what is it?
It shows how isolation can make people, such as Sarah Good and Tituba, go crazy.
How might John Hale's description of the countryside be regarded as symbolic of the moral andspiritual desolation that has afflicted Salem?
John Hale describing countryside, symbolizes spiritual abandonment and chaos, corruption, not running things the way they should be, don't have a leader right now. Hale's discription of the countryside speaks to the moral decay of the Puritan church, especially the witch court. Instead of saving lost souls, the court destroyed innocent people. The court only cared for their own validation and power. The court itself was rotten and it was infecting every town it visited.
What are some of the ways in which John Hale questions Proctor and his wife about their religious faith? How do the Proctors answer each of the questions and allegations?
John Hale questions proctor and his wife about why they haven't been to church, why their last child isn't baptized and to list the Ten Commandments. Proctor states the ten commandments and forgets adultery, he says he doesn't like church becaUse the golden candlesticks disrupt his prayer, and they refuse to have Paris touch their children
What conflict does John Proctor face at the end of the act?
John Proctor is torn because he needs to speak out against Abigail, it's the right thing to do according to his moral code. He also knows that if he does, she will reveal that they had an affair to everyone and his reputation will be ruined
Explain the charges against Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse. What infomation from Act One does the playwright expect us to remem- ber in conection with each set of charges?
Martha Corey is accused of witchcraft based upon the fact that her husband said she read books (strange books)...... something women didn't often do at the time. Her husband cannot recant his testimony and has to live with the responsibility of his wife's execution. Rebecca Nurse is accused of witchcraft and executed. Both of these women were well loved in their communities, and accused on bogus charges. I believe Hawthorne specifically wanted us to remember that these women died because of lies, and that hysteria can lead people to execute even the best of people.
As the act opens, who is being interrogated, and on what charge? (ACT 3)
Martha Corey is being interrogated and is accused of reading fortunes
What happens to John Proctor at the end of the act? How does John Hale show his disap- proval?
Mary Warren accuses John Proctor of witchcraft and corrupting her. He is arrested. Hale denounces the proceedings and quits the court.
Although this act centers on the subject of hypocrisy and hysteria in the court proceedings, we are also presented with several examples of courage and the assertion of integrity. How are the following character linked with the subject of courage in this act: Mary Warren, John Proctor, Giles Corey, John Hale?
Mary Warren is courageous when she admits that she along with all her friends were lying. John Proctor is courageous when he admits that he had an affair with Abigail to try to save his wife. Giles Corey is courageous when he stands up to Mr. Putnam and tells everyone why he got his daughter to act bewitched by certain people. Hale is courageous when he stands up to Danforth and explains that he thinks proctor is telling the truth and that girls are faking.
What ominous revelation does Mary Waren make about Elizabeth's reputation? How does this disclosure serve to make the quarrel be- tween Elizabeth and John even more heated?
Mary Warren tells Elizabeth that she was mentioned in the court. This makes Elizabeth urge John more to tell the court the truth Abigail told him
In what ways might the following characters be regarded as dynamic: John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Giles Corey, Mary Warren, and John Hale? (continued)
Mary Warren, a minor character, is actually one of the most important, dynamic characters. She goes from being a lonely, shy, frightened teenager to being a brave witness with a backbone, in court. Throughout the play, Mary's personality takes a turn for the better.
What is Mary Warren now prepared to tell the court?
Mary is prepared to tell the court that the girls' accusations are fake ("pretense").
The Crucible written as an allegory for
McCarthyism.
What device does Miller use for the dialogue at the beginning of this act? What might this device suggest about the tone of the legal proceedings that follow?
Miller uses an interrogation to suggest that legal proceedings are unfair and accused are doomed
Miller got his start back in
New York writing radio scripts.
What does Samuel Paris report about Abigail Williams and Mercy Lewis? Why is Parris afraid for his personal safety? What is Dan- forth's reaction?
Parris reports that the girls have left town and he is afraid for his safety because most of the people in the town dislike him. However, Danforth does not care for this new news.
Explain John Proctor's allusion as he ells Hale, "Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash your hands of this!"
Proctor equates John Hale to Pontius Pilate, the infamous traitor, and wants Hale to feel guilty for not standing up and stopping Elizabeth's arrest when he could have vouched for her.
Before the arrival of John Hale, what are some of the subjects for petty disagreement among John Proctor, Giles Corey, Thomas Putnam, and Samuel Parris?
Proctor had problems with Putnam over land, hadn't been to church as he disagrees with Parris, "Doesn't teach about god anymore"Giles sued Proctor for defamationParris thinks he deserves more money than what he was gettingPutnam had a disagreement with Parris on whether or not the occurrences were witchcraft
What two facts about John Proctor does Ezek- iel Cheever feel compelled to reveal to Dan- forth?
Proctor ripped the warrant for Elizabeth's arrest and he plows on Sundays instead of attending church.
Why doces Proctor refuse to sign his confes- sion?
Proctor's refusal to take part in the ritual transfer of guilt that has dominated the play—the naming of other "witches"—separates him from the rest of the accused. His unwillingness to sign his name to the confession results in part from his desire not to dishonor his fellow prisoners' decisions to stand firm. Proctor initially agreed to sign the document, for due to his previous transgressions he does not view himself as a morally righteous person. However, he knows in his heart that it is wrong to lie, even to save his life, so he decides to tear his confession in two, condemning himself to hang. In act 4 of The Crucible, John Proctor decides to confess but refuses to sign a written confession because it will be nailed to a church door, a very public way of disgracing the family name. John may not have much left, but he still has his good name, and he'll not let anyone take it away from him.
In what ways is the subject of identity raised in the final scene?
Proctors choice to let his identity be revealed to everyone and shame his family or not.
What does Giles Corey allege in his deposi- tion about the behavior of Thomas Putnam? According to Corey, what are Putnam's mo- tives? What legal maneuver does Danforth use to declare Corey in contempt of court?
Putnam told his daughter to accuse George Jacobs of witchcraft because if he dies he would forfeit his property. He is charged for contempt of court because he does not say Putnam's name.
In two long segments of this act, Miller estab lishes a dominant form for many of the subse- quent scenes in the play: the question and answer of interrogation. The playwright im- plies that both interrogations in this act are flawed in their methods and results. Who questions whom in the interrogation scenes in this act? Why does each interrogation fail?
Reverend Hale interrogates Tituba in act 1.
Crucible is set in
Salem, Mass.; 1692
One of Miller's major subjects in the play is the nature of authority. Comment on how Samuel Parris, Thomas Putnam, John Hale, and Rebecca Nurse are linked with the idea of authority in Act One. At this stage, what seems to be the playwright's opinion about each of these character's claims to possessing author ity?
Samuel Parris - a Reverend in the Puritan faith; Puritans dominate the population in Salem. His role is to make sure Salem is safe from the Devil and witchcraft. Since his daughter (Betty) and niece (Abigail) were dancing and conjuring in the woods, he looks bad that he cannot control them or stop them from misbehaving. He could be considered responsible for bringing witchcraft into Salem or at the very least, not being able to prevent it. Thomas Putnam - owns a lot of land and therefore has power, authority. He and his wife introduce the idea that Betty and Ruth may be "possessed" and influenced by witchcraft. Just the mere fact that he says this, gives him some power, for ascertaining the reason for the trances the girls are in. He is a man who holds grudges and has grievances; he is a vengeful man Rebecca Nurse - age 72, ideal Puritan woman, has common sense and wisdom; raised many children and has many grandchildren which in and of itself, is a feat at this time (many babies died of diseases) John Hale- he arrives with numerous large, heavy books that are "weighted with authority." books seem to be the ultimate authority on these issues.
Where do Tituba and Sarah Good tell Marshal Herrick they are going?
Sarah tells Herrick that she and Tituba are going to Barbados as soon as the Devil gets there with feathers and wings. Herrick doesn't react to this, but he only wishes her a happy voyage. Tituba says that she'll talk to the Devil if Herrick wants to come along to Barbados.
What duty has Mary Warren been performing in Salem? (ACT 2)
She has been performing the duty of serving on the court
How does Abigail threaten Danforth?
She tells him he is vulnerable to the power of hell and it is affecting his judgement. She reminds Danforth that he is not excluded from the Devil's company and that he could be accused too.
What does Elizabeth Proctor report to her husband about the trials in Salem, and what does she urge John to do?
She tells him that 14 people are in jail and they are begining to hang them. Elizabeth urges John to tell the jury what Abigail told him
John's words to Elizabeth at the begin ning of the act, "Pray now for a fair summer." (Type of Irony?)
Situational
Mary's gift of a poppet to Elizabeth (Type of Irony)
Situational
Proctor's reliance, early in the act, on the good offices of Ezekiel Cheever
Situational
Identify and evaluate the role of dialect in The Crucible.
The Crucible's style mixes historically accurate phrases with more contemporary-sounding speech, grounding the play in its time period while reminding audiences the ideas remain relevant today. Characters' speech patterns in the play reflect the language Miller found in legal documents and court transcripts in the Salem courthouse. Miller even embedded direct quotations into his dialogue, such as when Giles pleads for "more weight." One word may be particularly foreign to readers: "Goodwife," sometimes shortened to "Goody." This word was typical nomenclature for "wife" in the seventeenth century, and the girls repeat it when accusing various townswomen of witchcraft. At the same time, characters often speak in plain, contemporary-sounding English, modernizing archaic words like 'saith' to 'said.' Most other words are familiar though less common in everyday speech, especially biblical words like "abomination," "damnation," and "heathen." Parris uses "heathen" to characterize the girls when their dancing is deemed sinful, and Abigail repeats it as a pejorative term for Native Americans and similar to "savage." This usage reflects how settlers viewed Native Americans and the frontier, which the narrator describes as mysterious and terrifying.
Immediately after his entrance Governor Danforth remarks on a "prodigious stench." What is the apparent cause of the odor in the jail?
The apparent cause of the "prodigious stench" is literally the unbathed, unsanitary prisoners and figuratively the miscarriage of justice being carried out against the innocent
What is the importance regarding the struc ture of the play of the appearance of Rebecca Nurse just when John Proctor is struggling to make the most important decision of his life?
The importance of the structure of the play of the appearance of Rebecca's nurse just when john proctor is struggling to make the most important decision of his life he feels guilty about signing the paper and has the need to save her. it is intensely significant that Rebecca Nurse is brought in to see Proctor "confess." It is a moment where Proctor no longer sees himself as himself, but rather through the eyes of another. For Proctor, there is immediate shame because for an instant, he sees his own. He feels guilty about signing the paper and has the need to save her
The scenes in this act are calculated to pro- duce a rising curve of suspense or tension re- volving around Elizabeth's safety. How does the introductory conversation between John and Elizabeth establish suspense? How does the scene with Mary increase the tension? What further increase in suspense results from Hale's visit and the reasons for it? Where does the tension peak in this act?
The introductory conversation between John and Elizabeth establish part of this suspense because Elizabeth loses all faith in her husband. The scene with Mary increases the tension because Elizabeth learns that she is accused of witchcraft in the courtroom. Further increase in suspense that results from Hale's visit and the reasons for it is due to the fact he is in the Proctors' home asking them many questions. The tension in this act peaks when Ezekiel Cheever and Herrick, the town marshal, arrive with a warrant for Elizabeth's arrest.
Where and when is the opening scene of the play set?
The play opens in Salem, Massachusetts, in the spring of 1692, in Reverend Parris' house
Although the play presents many conflicting forces and characters, the end of this act hints that the most important conflict, leading up to the climax of the play, will take place be- tween two specific characters-a protagonist and an antagonist. Who are these characters? What hints can you detect in this act about the resolution of the conflict?
The protagonist is John Proctor and the antagonist is Abigail. Hints on conflict resolution? Abigail has succeeded in every accusation of witchcraft she has made. John Proctor doesn't want to destroy his reputation. Elizabeth Proctor wants to free her husband from condemnation, even if it hurts her. In "The Crucible" we learn that John and Abigail had an affair, which ended when Elizabeth, John's wife, found out about it. John cut off contact with Abigail because he wanted to save his marriage, but Abigail couldn't stand being rejected and decided to take revenge on the Proctors by accusing them of witchcraft. Abigail has made this type of accusation other times and has been successful, which makes us think the Proctors will be condemned. Mainly because John feels ashamed to confess the adultery that was involved and Elizabeth is willing to sacrifice herself so that John doesn't die.
Why is Danforth especially nervous about rumors conceming events in Andover? What are his reasons for receiving no pleas for par- don or for postponement of the executions?
The riots in Andover overthrew the court which jeopardizes his position in the court. He does not want to be seen as mercyful or weak in his work as a judge so he does not want anymore pleas or postponement.
c. Miller's comment in the stage directions that Abigail, "out of her infinite charity, reaches out and draws the sobbing Mary to her."
The statement is ironic because Abigail really shows no charity. All she does is lie and condemn the innocent, even going as far as to go after her friends
Miller clearly intended his audiences and read- ers to recognize parallels between the events in Salem in 1692 and the witch-hunts of the McCarthy period in the early 1950's. Do you think the play has continuing relevance to American life today? Explain your answer.
The themes in the crucible are as important to people in the 21st century as in Salem in 1692. These include justice, reputation, hysteria, intolerance and empowerment. All of these are common themes throughout human history. The Crucible is a play based off historical events that unfolded in the town of Salem that highlights the effects of hysteria and explores the fear that can create critical issues in a society. Examples of this include the Ebola outbreak, the West Bank Fainting Epidemic and the Borneo Kidnapping Scare.
In the critical scene between Elizabeth and John Proctor, we gain insight into John's ac tions at the climax of the play. How are Eliza- beth and John both tortured by guilt? Why does Elizabeth refuse to influence John's de- cision?
They both lied. lying= bad. 1. Both lied trying to protect themselves and their family name, so guilt tortures them. 2. Because she believes that he is redeeming himself from his mistakes and she does not want to stop him from dying with the little honor that remains. Elizabeth and John Proctor were two victims of the vindictive Abigail who after having an affair with John decided to accuse Elizabeth as a witch. Elizabeth, as a way to help her husband, ends up lying, accepting the accusation and being arrested and sentenced to death. John as a way to save his wife lies to the court about Abigail being a prostitute, but he doesn't want to say that he had an affair with her so as not to lose his honor. However, John is also arrested and sentenced to death. While in prison he has the chance to lie and be free, but he believes he must die as a way of surrendering his mistakes.
How do Hathorne and Parris persuade Dan- forth to respond to the deposition that lists ninety-one supporters of Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Martha Corey?
They persuade him that the girls should be summoned for questioning because the deposition is an attack on the court.
What device do Abigail and the other girds use to drive Mary Warren over the brink of hys- teria?
They scream saying Mary sent her spirit at them causing her to scream with them. They mock marry continuously.
According to Elizabeth, how did Giles Corey die?
They used the torture method of placing rocks on his chest to try and get him to confess. Instead he just said "more weight" and eventually died by being crushed by the rocks.
What information about Thomas Putnam does Arthur Miller tell us in his expository aside? What does Ann Putnam claim in the play about her dead babies?
Thomas was vindictive, unhappy, greedy, and an intellectual superior. Ann claims midwives cursed and murdered her babies. His brother got rejected for the reverend job
Identify and evaluate the role of dialect in The Crucible. (continued)
Throughout the play, the action is interrupted for extended passages of narration by a narrator who serves as a bridge between the contemporary reader and the historical characters we are reading about. As the narrator refers to past productions of the play, we can assume Miller added portions of the narration after the play's premiere. For example, the narrator says certain lines always get a laugh, suggesting "we are not quite certain even now whether diabolism is holy...it is no accident that we should be so bemused." The narrator's style is more familiar than the characters', and is characterized by witty and sometimes biting asides, implying a judgmental attitude toward the characters and actions being narrated. The narrator explains that Parris "believed he was being persecuted wherever he went, despite his best efforts to win people and God to his side." By saying Parris only "believed" he was persecuted, the narrator implies that Parris's troubles stem from his poor personality and inflated sense of ego. This narrative style, skeptical, opinionated, and judgmental, informs our reading of the play as a cautionary tale about the worst, weakest aspects of human nature.
What happens when John Hale interrogates Tituba? How does the atmosphere of the scene become hysterical at the end Act 1?
Tituba originally denied the accusations, Parris threatened to beat her to death so she confessed. Began blaming other women for witchcraft, the atmosphere became hysterical as the other women began to scream out names and accusations
Proctor's statement toward the end of the act about Abigail, "Good. Then her saintliness is done with."
Verbal Irony
In the course of Act 1, Miller includes a number of commentaries, or expository asides, in the published version of the play. In the first aside, what does Miller say about the Puritans' outlook toward the virgin forest? What does he mean when he characterizes the Puritan community in Salem at this period as a theocracy?
Was seen as the devils playground, nothing good ever happened inside, last place not paying homage to god, Indians still reside in the forest.
At what point does John Hale begin to show that he is less than satisfied with the court's procedures?
When the deposition is considered an attack on the court he argues that every defense is an attack on the court.After signing seventy-two death warrants, especially Rebecca Nurse's, Hale has started to question what is going on in Salem. He recognizes that the people are fearing the court more than they fear God.
Did John Proctor reach the right decision at the end of the play? What other decisions could he have reached?
Yes, because no matter what decision he made, his life would be over. He could choose to die with honor or live with shame. He could've confessed the crime and lived.
Joseph McCarthy was
a senator from Wisconsin who wanted to be President.
Allegory
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one;a symbolic fictional narrative that conveys a meaning not explicitly set forth in the narrative
Fun was
basically against the law.
Puritans were very concerned with
going to heaven. Ironically this made them very hypocritical and judgmental.
Miller worked as
he night editor of the MIchigan Daily to earn money. While working nights, he began writing plays
Consider the stage directions that describe the physical setting of the play as the curtain rises on Act One. Together with the opening lines of dialogue, what atmosphere or mood does this setting create?
mysterious, tense
Miller was a
native New Yorker.
Puritans based everything on their
religious faith.
McCarthy manipulated
that fear to try to gain political power.
The forest was believed to be
the devil's playground. The devil was believed to be a real, living, breathing creature.
Fear of the spread of communism and nuclear war were
very real, valid fears in the 1950s.
When Danforth rejects Hale's request that legal counsel present Mary Warren's deposition, how is the govermor's logic faulty?
when Danforth says, No, no, I accept no depositions. He is rapidly calculating this; he turns from her to Proctor. Danforth does not want Mary to give proof of anything that might undermine the courts need to prosecute people. The court has to prosecute people or there is no need for the court's existence.
dramatic irony
when a reader is aware of something that a character isn't
