Critical Essay Flashcards
Intro
Written in 1953 by renowned playwright Arthur Miller, ‘The Crucible’ explores the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The corrupt justice system, mass hysteria and destructive power of lies leads to honourable individuals being hung. Throughout ‘The Crucible’ the relationship in crisis between John and Elizabeth Proctor is a focus. This crisis is a result of Proctor committing the ultimate sin in Puritan Salem – lechery. This helps contribute to my understanding of the play as a whole.
Paragraph 1 - Point 1
Reason for the conflict/crisis is the affair
Paragraph 1 - Quote/Example 1
“you clutched my back and sweated like a stallion”
Paragraph 1 - Explanation 1
Key scene, audience reaction, characterisation
Paragraph 1 - Example/Quote 2
“I will cut off my hand before I ever reach for you again”
Paragraph 1 - Explanation 2
Chracterisation
Paragraph 1 - Example/Quote 3
“She clutches him desperately”
Paragraph 1 - link
Integrity and reputation
Paragraph 2 - Point
Effect of the affair on the couple
Paragraph 2 - Example/Quote 1
“I mean to please you Elizabeth”
Paragraph 2 - Explanation 1
Characterisation
Paragraph 2 - Example/Quote 2
“receives it [kiss]”
Paragraph 2 - Explanation 2
stage directions, key scene, characterization
Paragraph 2 - Example/Quote 3
“It’s winter in here yet”
Paragraph 2 - Explanation 3
conflict, characterization
Paragraph 2 - Link
Integrity
Paragraph 3 - Point
Overcoming the crisis
Paragraph 3 - Quote/Example 1
“it’s a natural lie to tell”
Paragraph 3 - Explanation 1
Characterization, key scene, turning point
Paragraph 3 - Quote/Explanation 2
“It were a cold house I kept”
Paragraph 3 - Explanation 2
Characterisation
Paragraph 3 - Quote/Explanation 3
“He [Proctor] has lifted her [Elizabeth] now and kisses her with great passion”
Paragraph 3 - Explanation 3
Stage direction, key scene, audience reaction
Paragraph 3 - Link
Integrity, reputation, justice and corruption
Conclusion
To conclude, Arthur Miller uses dramatic techniques to highlight Elizabeth and Proctor’s relationship in crisis. ‘The Crucible’ firstly displays the reason for the crisis(Proctor committing lechery). Then the audience witnesses the awkward effects of the affair on the couple, and finally the crisis come to an end before Proctor is taken away to be hung.
Paragraph 1 - Explanation 3
Stage direction, characterization
