The Crucible Analysis For Key Quotes Flashcards
What is the introduction?
Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ (refer to task). Set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, the play focuses on the protagonist John Proctor as he struggles to overcome his past transgressions, prior to the play, when he committed adultery with Abigail Williams which subsequently controls and influences the outcome of the play. Abigail charges various citizens of practising witchcraft, leading to Proctor’s death. Through the use of characterisation, key scene and dialogue Arthur Miller successfully conveys/demonstrates and (refer back to question).
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote “He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of time, but against his own vision of decent conduct”?
Undoubtedly it is in Act 3 when events force Proctor into admitting the truth about his actions (or refer to question) however it is important to understand the events prior to this moment to fully comprehend the significance of Proctor’s confession (or refer to question). It is in act 1 at the exposition of the play where we are first introduced to our protagonist and immediately we are made aware that he is a tortured man.
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The play is set in a strict and religious time, we learn that he recognises he has committed wrongful acts and he is tortured by his own consciousness. Not only has he gone against the strict Puritan code of conduct but also against his own sense of right and wrong which has tarnished his mortality.(Refer back to question).
For truth add - It is this internal conflict that leads the audience to believe that Proctor would eventually accept the truth about himself.
For flaw/downfall add - It is in this internal conflict that the audience are shown how John views himself as well as the flaws he has which may lead to his downfall.
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote “Abby I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again”?
Later in Act 1 we learn why Proctor “has come to regard himself as a kind of fraud”. In a brief interaction with the play’s antagonist ,Abigail , we learn that they had been intimate with one another despite Proctor being married to Elizabeth. Despite his obvious attraction to her, his resolve to remain faithful to his wife is evident.
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Proctor’s determination and strength to never go back to Abigail is clearly shown through the hyperbole used by Miller. This emphasises the lengths Proctor would go to, to avoid betraying his wife again. Proctor’s rejection of Abigail proves he no longer wants to be with her, reinforcing the idea that his guilt is overbearing.(Refer to question).
For truth add - He refuses to repeat that sin which is a hopeful sign that he will own up to the truth.
For flaw/downfall add - This foreshadows to how John’s rejection of Abigail could be detrimental to John and his family later in the play.
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote “… vengeance is walking in Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jingling the keys of the kingdom…”?
The action of the play moves forward rapidly after Abigail charges various people in the community of witchcraft. The town is filled with paranoia over rumours of witchcraft and the fears of being charged and taken to court. As a result of Proctor’s rejection of Abigail she exacts her revenge on Elizabeth, by accusing her of witchcraft leading to her arrest. Proctor is fully aware of Abigail’s lies and recognises her malicious act of vengeance.
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Proctor’s powerful denunciation of the court’s actions suggest he recognises the flaws in Salem society, he is aware because of his affair with Abigail she is seeking vengeance which leads him to feel immense guilt. Proctor’s fury is evident here, he knows he will have to act in order to prevent her power growing further in order to save Elizabeth.(Refer to question).
For truth add - Proctor’s character as we know is decent and normally upstanding and in admitting the truth he will clear his conscience as well as the others.
For flaw/downfall add - Proctors flaw is starting to catch up with him as it has resulted in the arrest of his wife, for which he now has to give up his good name in Salem in an effort to prove her and the others innocence.
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote “I have known her ,sir , I have known her” and “God is dead”?
In Act 3, the turning point of the play, Proctor attends the court with evidence he hopes will free Elizabeth. However Abigail’s manipulation and power over the girls, thwarts his plans and she begins to gain the upper hand. Proctor screams “How do you call heaven! Whore! Whore!” which demonstrates his fury over Abigail’s feigned innocence and leaves him with no choice but to admit the truth about his affair to the court.
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Despite the painful confession, Abigails manipulation and power is so great that she along with Elizabeth’s natural lie to protect her husband condemns John in the eyes of the court, which leads him to protest; “God is dead”. This statement results in Johns arrest. His society view this statement as a denunciation of God instead of them – which Proctor meant. He cannot believe God could be present in a society which allows evil to flourish. (Refer to Question).
For truth add - Proctor has admitted the truth about himself however this was still not enough to save Elizabeth.
For flaw/downfall add - The fact that Proctors arrest is the result of Abigail, clearly shows the reader that Proctors flaw of his affair with Abigail is really his downfall to which he may face a heavy penalty for.
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life … I have given my soul; leave my name”?
In the final act of the play Proctor is presented with the chance to save himself and reunite with Elizabeth. He reverts to a life of lies by signing his name to the court, for which he comes to an important realisation:
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Proctor understands that he would never be able to live his life based on a lie. He lived so long weighed down by a guilty conscience which is why he tears up the confession. In lying he essentially handed over the essence of his being to the court. He cannot, having confessed allow his name to be further tarnished (he is still proud).(Refer to question).
For truth add - Yet truth prevailed and when he revoked his false confession his conscience remained intact.
For flaw/downfall add - The fact that Proctor would rather preserve his name, which has been tarnished by Abigail, reinforces that his flaws had a significant effect on Proctor’s life, as he would rather protect his name over his life.
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote “You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor”?
At the play’s denouement Proctor accepts his fate and faces his death with bravery;
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Proctor fully acknowledges the truth about himself and is finally able to forgive himself for what he has done. He refuses to die without his dignity and is defiant of the corrupt court. He is willing to die with self satisfaction as he unlike many of the people in Salem has not succumbed to evil.(Refer to question).
For truth add - His tone is one of pride and also hope that he will never allow deceits and lies to affect.
For flaw/downfall add - His tone is one of pride and also hope, however it is undoubtfully evident that John’s flaws have resulted in the death of him and his overall downfall.
What is the conclusion?
To conclude - refer to question. Had Proctor been able to overcome his excessive pride, forgive himself for the the adultery he committed and not been so preoccupied with his past transgressions and reputation in Salem. He could have revealed his knowledge of Abigail earlier in the play and prevented the deaths of many people, as well as his own. Ultimately it was his inability to forgive himself which was his fatal weakness and Miller successfully conveys the power conscience has over us. The play as a whole provides a powerful message about the dangers of being swept up in hysteria as well as the difficulties placed upon an individual to conform to society.
