Crucible Flashcards
Why did Arthur Miller write the Crucible?
It was the time of McCarthyism, where people feared of communism coming to America (red scare), and they began to question/accuse people of being communist. People were losing jobs, getting blacklisted, placed in jail, etc.
This reminded Arthur Miller of the Salem Witch Trials and how history repeats itself because back then people were being accused of being witches and it cost people their lives.
Themes
Fear sets followers Power Attack the vulnerable Extremism Religion
How does fear relate to the characters?
Parris and the girls
Parris scaring people into religion with hell and fire
Girls afraid of getting caught so they begin to blame other people and then they soon become powerful
Why does Ann Putnamn accuse rebbeca nurse of being a witch
jelous that she has all her children and Ann has lost all but one
why is sarah good accused of being a witch by mary warren
mary felt sick after sarah left her house mumbling
why does Parris have a bad relationship with some members of the community
he asks for too much money and talks about hell
who is accused of trying to gain land by claiming George Jacobs is a witch
Thomas Putnam
This is a likely reason for the grudge against the Nurse family
Francis bought his rental landand the family supported the other minister in town
Proctor’s profession
farmer
This is the lone commandment forgotten by Proctor when questioned by Hale
Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery
This is the reason why Proctor does not go to church on Sundays
he cannot stand Rev. Parris
This is what Proctor is accused of doing on Sundays instead of attending services
plowing
This is why Proctor cannot tell Cheever about what Abigail said about the girls lying
it was his word against hers as they were alone
This is who quits the court when Proctor is accused of witchcraft by Mary Warren
Rev. Hale
This is why Danforth and Hathorne refuse to listen to Proctor and Corey and Nurse
they think they are trying to overthrow the court
This judge is the Deputy Governor and has great power in the trials
Danforth
This is Danforth’s reason for not releasing the accused even after Abigail has left town
that it would not be fair to those who have already died - already gone too far
This is what Danforth requires from Proctor after his “confession” of witchcraft
his signature on the confession
This is the number of children Elizabeth and John have in the play
3
This is the reason why Abigail lives with Parris
she’s an orphan and his “niece”
This is why Elizabeth and Proctor had a troubled relationship even before Abigail arrived
she was very ill after the birth of their third child
the length of time between Abby and John’s affair and Elizabeth’s trial
8 months
This is what Abigail did inthe woods in order to cause Elizabeth’s death
drank blood
This is the religion of the residents of Salem Town and Salem Village
Puritanism
