The Crucible Flashcards
Who wrote The Crucible?
Arthur Miller
What is the synopsis of The Crucible?
A powerful, fictional retelling of a historical moment in 17th century America: the “witch trials” of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. The play depicts how difficult it is to defend principles and human dignity under conditions of paranoia, fear, and hysteria.
When is the play set?
1692.
Where is the play set?
Salem, Massachusetts.
What is the focus of the play?
The Salem Witch Trials.
Who lived in Salem?
A small religious colony of Puritans lived in Salem near Boston Massachusetts.
What is the play an allegory for?
This play is an allegory for 1950s McCarthyism. It parallels the activities of the house of Un-American Activities Committee in the USA during the mid 20th century when paranoia about communism pervaded the USA and spread to Canada.
What does dissent mean in Salem?
In Salem, matters of good and evil are clearly defined; dissent is not merely unlawful, it is associated with satanic activity.
How does the play open?
Early in the year 1962, a collection of girls from the colony fall victim to supposed hallucinations and seizures after dancing in the forest with a black female slave named Tituba.
Why is Tituba treated with suspicion?
People fear that she is a witch who practices witch craft in their town. They think she harmed their children in the forest.
Who is the ringleader of the girls?
Abigail Williams.
How old is Abigail Williams?
17 years old.
What does Abigail accuse various townsfolk of?
Witchcraft and conspiring with the devil.
Name 3 things the colony is suddenly beset with.
- Jealousies.
- Bitter quarrellings.
- Deeply held hatreds that rise to the surface.
What type of man is John Proctor?
He is a local farmer who is a deeply honest man.
How does John think about Abigail?
John suspects Abigail of being a fraud.
What is John’s secret?
He had an affair with Abigail when she was a servant in his house.
What proves to be John’s downfall?
His affair with Abigail Williams.
What type of person is Abigail?
She is jealous and vindictive.
How does Abigail try to get even with John?
She accuses his wife of dealings with the devil as the hysteria grows.
Why doesn’t John expose Abigail as a fraud?
He is scared that she will expose the affair he had with her to the town. That would cost him his good name.
What do the old grudges and religious fervour result in?
They result in tragedy, as good people are hanged for witchcraft, others are jailed, and a community is left with its conscience in tatters.
What does the character of Abigail Williams represent?
Abigail is a tormented character who represents absolute evil and The Devil.
Why is Abigail seen as a mass murderer?
Her actions bring about the death of so many innocent people.
Why does Abigail want vengeance?
She was deeply in love with John Proctor and now that love has been taken away from her.
How did Abigail become an orphan?
Her parents were murdered by the Wabanaki.
Who raised Abigail?
She raised herself.
How did Abigail feel growing up?
She felt somewhat on the edge of society, and observing all the manipulation and hypocrisy around her.
Where does Abigail’s power come from?
Her power comes from her intelligence, empathy and courage. She’s like an animal, instinctual and strong. She knows what she has to do to get what she wants.
What did people fall prey to in Salem?
The people fell prey to the hysteria about the individuals accused of witch craft.
Name 5 things the Salem community was consumed by.
- Jealousy.
- Fear.
- Hysteria.
- Superstition.
- Hypocrisy.
What drives John Proctor to become the hero?
He is driven by guilt over his act of lechery with Abigail. He becomes the hero but he remains painfully human.
Why is John seen as an imperfect man?
His lechery brought a fall from grace. He is weak and undecided, full of contradictions, and yet he makes heroic choices. Part of this imperfection is the knowledge that his bond with Abigail isn’t completely ended. His choices are difficult but heroic.
Who is Elizabeth Proctor?
She is a good woman who has been treated badly by her husband and she pays the ultimate price for his betrayal.
How is Elizabeth described?
She is described as being cold, but it is perhaps merely acceptance of her life.
How did Elizabeth feel about John’s affair?
Her love and understanding for her husband is powerful, but if she accepted his adultery, she did not intend to let it continue.
What happens to Elizabeth?
She is a loving mother who is sent to prison even though she carries a child.
Who is deputy-governor Danforth?
Deputy-Governor Danforth is the deputy-governor of Massachusetts and the presiding judge at the witch trials.
What type of person is Deputy-Governor Danforth?
He is a tough Boston lawyer who is basically fair, honest and scrupulous but overconfident in his ability to judge the truth. He is always right in his own mind.
What does Danforth believe his destiny to be?
He feels that it is his destiny and duty to purge society of evil and establish the Kingdom of Christ on earth.
How does Danforth interpret all the evidence?
He is temperamentally inclined to interpret all evidence as proof that Satan’s forces are operating in Salem and he seems to feel particularly strongly that the girls are honest.
How does Danforth react to the evidence when he hears it?
He is sensitive to the presence of the Devil and reacts explosively to whatever evidence is presented.
Who is Mary Warren?
Mary Warren is a servant in the Proctor household and used by Abigail to accuse Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth.
Why does John take Mary to the court?
He hopes that she will confess to the girls’ pretense.
