The Crucible - Social + Historical Context

Question 1

What is the introduction for this essay?

Answer 1

• ‘The Crucible’ by Arthur Miller is a play which is set in the 1600s, in Salem, Massachusetts based on the real-life Salem Witch Trials which happened at the same time.

Question 2

Who is a character which is affected by the social + historical context of Salem?

Answer 2

• One character from ‘The Crucible whose behaviour is affected by the social and historical context of the Salem witch trials and 1600s puritan Salem is Abigail.

Question 3

What is the first moment?

Answer 3

• One moment when Abigail is affected by this is when Susanna Walcott brings a message to Parris about Betty from the Doctor.

Question 4

What is the first quote?

Answer 4

• Abigail tells Susanna to “Speak nothin’ of it in the village Susanna*.

Question 5

How does this first quote relate to the historical/social context?

Answer 5

• This reflects the historical context of the societal standards in 1600s Salem as it conveys to the audience the idea that Abigail is worried and afraid of the repercussions that will happen if people in the village find out that Betty will not wake and is afraid to make matters worse.

Question 6

What other theme does the first quote highlight?

Answer 6

• This moment also highlights the theme of hysteria as it shows that Abigail fears the terror and panic that will be caused if rumours about Betty get out of hand in the village.

Question 7

As an Actor, how would you highlight the theme of social/historical context using drama terms through Abigail? (first moment)?

Answer 7

• As an actor playing Abigail, I would use a serious, harsh tone and a fast pace when talking. with emphasis on the word “nothin” I would also use unbroken eye contact with Susanna and a cautionary facial expression.

Question 8

What else would you do using drama terms (first moment)?

Answer 8

• I would also gesture by grabbing Susanna’s hand as she left, turning her back around to face her.
• I would also use levels by standing on a platform, slightly above Susanna, leaning over so that our faces are almost level with one another.
• I would have close proxemics with Susanna.

Question 9

What would the first moment through drama terms highlight/suggest?

Answer 9

• This will convey to the audience that Abigail has power over Susanna and is using it to frighten and threaten her into obeying her orders.
• This also suggests that Abigail is aware of the seriousness of Betty’s state and the rumours it could cause and is afraid of the possible outcomes.

Question 10

How is the theme of social/historical context highlighted using drama terms? (first moment)?

Answer 10

• This relates to the social context created by Puritanism in Salem in the 1600s as it shows that Abigail is worried about the consequences of being associated with something abnormal as it could lead to discussions of possible sins and crimes committed by Abigail and the girls, such as dancing in the woods, which would lead to them being punished for their actions, which she is afraid of.

Question 11

What is the second moment?

Answer 11

• A second moment when Abigail is affected by the historical and social context of Salem in the 1600s is when she lies to Reverend Parris, her uncle, about what she and the girls did in the woods.

Question 12

What is the second quote?

Answer 12

• She claimed that they only danced, “We did dance…And there’s the whole of it”

Question 13

How does this second quote relate to the historical/social context?

Answer 13

• This reflects the historical and social context and concept that it is wrong to engage in creative activities which make a person unique and individual as the belief was that all puritan people should live a simple, basic life with only the essentials required to survive and to serve god.

Question 14

How does this second quote further relate to the historical/social context?

Answer 14

• These morals are violated by acts such as dancing and singing naked in the woods, which the girls engaged in, as well as other acts of ‘sport’.
• This fear of being viewed as different is shown through Abigail’s fear of being found out for doing more than dancing, an act of ‘sport’ that is frowned upon but only results in small punishments, such as being whipped.

Question 15

What does the second moment also reflect (religious..)

Answer 15

• This moment also reflects the religious concept that our lives should be devoted solely to God and that those who sin, such as Abigail, and do not devote themselves entirely to God, will be punished and sent to hell in the afterlife.

Question 16

As an Actor, how would you highlight the theme of social/historical context using drama terms through Abigail? (second moment)?

Answer 16

• As an actor playing Abigail, I would use an ashamed tone with a quiet volume and fast pace when saying We did dance” and a louder volume, slower pace and a stubborn tone when saying “And there’s the whole of it” with each word emphasised.

Question 17

As an Actor, how would you further highlight the theme of social/historical context using drama terms through Abigail? (second moment)?

Answer 17

• I would use closed body language with my legs close together, gesturing with my hands clasped before me and my head lowered slightly, avoiding eye contact until after I had spoken, when I would raise my head and make eye contact with Parris.

Question 18

What does the second moment through drama terms highlight?

Answer 18

• This would show that Abigail is ashamed and embarrassed of her actions in the woods and feels guilty that they have caused stress, but also effectively show that she is determined to not let Parris know the whole story.

Question 19

How is the theme of social/historical context highlighted using drama terms? (second moment)?

Answer 19

• This relates to the historical and social context of 1600 Salem and the idea that it was frowned upon to engage in creative activities, such as dancing, which allowed people to be individual and unique.

Question 20

How is the theme of social/historical context further highlighted using drama terms? (second moment)?

Answer 20

• It relates to this idea as the audience sees that Abigail is afraid to be viewed as an outsider within Salem and is embarrassed to have engaged in activities associated with uniqueness.

Question 21

What does the second moment through drama terms highlight (religious concept)?

Answer 21

• Additionally, it relates to the religious concept that our lives should be devoted solely to God and that those who aren’t will be punished as it shows that Abigail, aware and embarrassed that she has gone against her religion, is determined to not let Parris find out as she is afraid of punishment.

Question 22

What is the third moment?

Answer 22

• Another moment is when Abigail threatens Betty, along with the other girls, not to say anything about what happened in the woods, especially that Abigail drank blood in an attempt to kill John Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth.

Question 23

What is the third quote?

Answer 23

• Within this moment we see Abigail is affected by the historical and social context of 1600s Salem when she “smashes her (Betty) across the face] Shut it! Now shut it”

Question 24

What does the third quote show?

Answer 24

• Her use of physical violence to threaten and reprimand Betty highlights the practices that were taught and used as punishment during this time period.

Question 25

How at the time was violence common?

Answer 25

• At this time it was commonplace to use violence as punishment, with the drama often mentioning the punishment of whipping for dancing as well as the possibility of having your hand cut off if you are a lecher or being hung if you are a witch.

Question 26

How does the third quote reflect Abigail’s character?

Answer 26

• This moment also reflects the development of Abigail’s character, as within this moment we are provided further insight into her home life.
• We learn that when she was younger Abigail witnessed her parents murder.

Question 27

How does the third quote suggest Abigail’s use of violence?

Answer 27

• This suggests that Abigail uses her violence as a way of letting out her anger and to make people understand how it made her feel to witness such violence as a child.

Question 28

As an Actor, how would you highlight the theme of social/historical context using drama terms through Abigail? (third moment)?

Answer 28

• As an actor playing Abigail, I would use a loud volume and angry tone. I would also use eye contact with Betty, a furious facial expression and close character proxemics as I would lean over Betty with my face close to hers.

Question 29

How does the third quote through drama terms show ABigail’s behaviour?

Answer 29

• This would show the audience that Abigail is distressed and outraged, conveying her bad temper.

Question 30

How is the theme of social/historical context highlighted using drama terms? (third moment)?

Answer 30

• This relates to the historical and social context of the play as when Abigail is angry she physically abuses Betty to scold her.
• And, unlike if this occurred in the present, it is treated as a normal way to handle the situation.

Question 31

How is the theme of social/historical further context highlighted using drama terms? (third moment)?

Answer 31

• This shows that it was commonplace within Salem in the 1600s and the girls witness it often from people who are considered to be of higher status than them.

Question 32

How does the third moment relate to Abigail’s character development?

Answer 32

• This also relates to the development of Abigail’s character as the audience learns that she has witnessed violence towards her parents in childhood.

Question 33

What does Abigail’s character development suggest?

Answer 33

• This suggests that she is traumatised by this incident and likely has a lack of understanding of violence, providing more insight into why she acts in this ill-tempered, angry and brutal way which would now be considered wrong and inhumane.

Question 34

What is the fourth moment?

Answer 34

• A fourth moment when Abigail is affected by the historical and social context within ‘The Crucible’ is when she denies John Proctor’s accusations against her when he tells the court about their affair.

Question 35

What is the fourth quote?

Answer 35

• He cries out in court “How do you call heaven! Whore! Whore!”.

Question 36

How does the fourth quote highlight the historical and social context of the time period

Answer 36

• This moment highlights the historical and social context of the time period as Abigail lies as it is the only way for her to escape the situation as, at this time, if women were found to be intimate before marriage, especially to a married man, they would be shamed and shut out by their communities, making it hard to make your own way.

Question 37

How does the fourth moment describe the portrayal of women?

Answer 37

• This moment also relates to the theme of portrayal of women as the derogatory term whore is used by John to describe Abigail.
• This reflects the idea that any women who had pre-martial sex during the 1600s, when ‘The Crucible’ is set, would be looked down upon and were perceived as evil, desperate and morally low.

Question 38

What is the first sentence of a B1 in the fourth moment?

Answer 38

• As an actor playing Abigail, I would use a scared, betrayed facial expression and a lack of eye contact with John.
• I would also use increasingly distant stage proxemics, as Herrick separates the two of them, by moving towards downstage left and turning away, as John stays centre stage.

Question 39

What would Abigail use as a facial expression and tone?

Answer 39

• Then, as the judges and members of court turned to Abigail, I would use an angered tone, with an insulted facial expression as well as a defiant tone.

Question 40

How is Abigail a manipulative liar?

Answer 40

• This shows the audience how, at first, Abigail is unable to hide her sadness at John’s actions and feels let down by him.
• However, the fact that she is able to hide this sadness from the court, despite it obviously overwhelming her, shows that she is a skilled, manipulative liar.

Question 41

How is the theme of social/historical context highlighted using drama terms? (fourth moment)?

Answer 41

• This relates to the historical and social context of the time period as it shows the extent to which being called out as a whore can affect a woman’s life, effectively removing all hope of ever achieving the (already) limited goals that she would have had access to.

Question 42

How is the theme of social/historical further context highlighted using drama terms? (fourth moment)?

Answer 42

• This is conveyed as Abigail is so overwhelmed by John exposing their affair in court, knowing how nuch it will affect her future negatively.
• If John’s accusation is proven, she would be known ‘a whore’, be hated, and be considered of low status within Salem.

Question 43

How does the fourth moment through drama terms relate to the portrayal of women?

Answer 43

• This also relates to the portrayal of women as Abigail is doubted, at least momentarily, by the court the suggestion is made that she isn’t as ‘innocent’ as they believed.

Question 44

How does the fourth moment through drama terms further relate to the portrayal of women?

Answer 44

• This shows that being involved romantically with a married man was considered despicable as despite ring the accusations of lying towards Abigail, previously made by John, they are more settled by the idea that Abigail was intimate with a married man.
• This shows that only women who were perceived as perfect at the time were trusted by men, highlighting the portrayal of women within ‘The Crucible’

Question 45

What is the final moment?

Answer 45

• Abigail is also affected by the historical and social context of the play in a moment at the end of Act 1 when Tituba escapes hanging by falsely confessing to witchcraft and naming others who were witches.

Question 46

What is the final quote?

Answer 46

• Abigail then replicates these actions in order to distract from her own sins, saying “I want to open myself!”.

Question 47

How does the final quote highlight the historical and social context of the time period

Answer 47

• This reflects the historical and social context of 1600s Salem as Abigail sees that even Tituba, a black, female, slave of very low status within the play, could gain power from lying and escape torture.
• This was unusual at the time due to racist and sexist views held in Salem and most of the world so a chance to be in control would also be unusual for Abigail.

Question 48

How does the final quote highlight McCarthyism?

Answer 48

• This also reflects the theme of McCarthyism as we see Abigail, Tituba and then Betty give names of others who they claim they have seen with the devil to save themselves.
• This relates to the theme of McCarthyism as it mirrors the suspected communists who would often only be believed by the House of Un-American Activities committee if they were able to give names of other communists.

Question 49

How is the theme of social/historical context highlighted using drama terms? (fifth moment)?

Answer 49

• As an actor playing Abigail, I would use an inspired and cunning facial expression, with wide-eyes.
• I would use levels by standing up quickly, as well as say at a fast pace in an innocent tone “I want to open myself!”.

Question 50

How is the theme of social/historical context further highlighted using drama terms? (fifth moment)?

Answer 50

• I would move into centre stage from downstage left, using a fast gait and open body language with my arms spread wide.

Question 51

How would the fifth and final moment highlight Abigail’s quick intuitiveness?

Answer 51

• This would show the audience that Abigail has suddenly seen an opportunity to gain status fast, symbolised by her rising quickly, and avoid punishment for her actions in the woods, saving herself.

Question 52

How would moving quickly for Abigail highlight her intentions?

Answer 52

• By moving quickly at a fast pace it shows that Abigail is aware that this is a rare opportunity and by using an innocent tone it suggests that Abigail is weak and pure, contrasting her evil intentions.

Question 53

How does the final quote in B2 relate to the social and historical context?

Answer 53

• This relates to the social and historical context of 1600s Salem as it shows that Abigail sees how rare it is for someone like Tituba, of low status, to be able to salvage themselves, preventing punishment, and takes the opportunity up instantly, with little consideration.

Question 54

How does the final quote relate to McCarthyism?

Answer 54

• This also relates to the theme of McCarthyism as it reflects that people were often willing to betray members of their community in order to save themselves from punishment.