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
This is the definition of “spectral evidence”
evidence that cannot be seen but exists in the spirit world
This is the year in which the trials took place
1692
what Betty tries to do when she “awakens” from her swoon
fly out the window
This is who was naked in the woods when Parris found the girls
Mercy Lewis
how does power relate to the characters?
Abigail and the girls realize they can run the town by accusing ppl of being witches
how does fear relate to the characters?
parris scares people into religion by using hell
girls scaring people
how does guilt relate to the characters
john proctos feels ashamed abt his affair with ABby and he tries to pretend like it never happened - he tries and makes it up to Elizabeth, but his anger is projected onto her,
Hale - feels guilt fr accusing people of witches, which he now believes are innocent
how does reputation relate to the characters
1) in the beginning Parris doesn’t believe that there are “unnatural” causes for Betty’s illness bc he doesnt want to lose the favor of the people if he’s connected to witchcraft
2) Proctor at first doesn’t say anything about the affair btwn him and ABigail, bc he doesn’t want to ruin his rep. But then he realizes its the only way he can belitle her, and save his wifes life.
3) Proctor is willing to die instead of providing a false confession.
Mary Warren - who does she work 4
what did she do in court
Proctor
She went to confess that everything is fake until she was accused as a witch then she took it back
whats happening in andover
cows
the people realized the truth that witches aren’t real and they protested against the court and won.
the cows roaming around shows that they killed too many people and theres barely anyone there to keep control
why is Parris crying
Abigail took him money and ran away
why is parris worried abt whats happened in andover
cows = People are being thrown out of court and riots are forming
How does Proctor change
At first, he was willing to protect his reputation, but then he admits his relationship btwn him and Abigail.
And he refuses to admit to a false confession, so he die in the name of truth.
how does Hale change
He was the witch hunter, but then he realized how it was fake and how many innocent lives have been lost.
how does Giles change
He accidently called out his wife, by syaing she reads mysterious books. BUt then he neither confesses or denies anything - allowing for his son to earn his property, and when he’s getting stoned - he asks for more dying a christian.
