What is a short summary of The Crucible?
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a fictional play based on the Salem witch trials which took place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It tells the story of a village that becomes embroiled in a witch hunt. The people of Salem live in a constant state of fear as more and more people are accused of witchcraft.
What are the 3 major themes we discussed about The Crucible?
Themes
- Intolerance. The Crucible is set in a theocratic society, in which the church and the state are one, and the religion is a strict, austere form of Protestantism known as Puritanism.
- Hysteria.
- Reputation.
- Goodness.
- Judgment.
- Social Status.
- Ownership and Property.
- Justice.
What role does trauma play in The Crucible?
You may see a girl who after violent trauma has emerged psychologically damaged. Others may detect an evil trait in Abigail. Hardened by the traumatic death of her parents she has become vengeful, throughout the play she seems to passionately resent doubt with Parris’ questioning in Act1.
Why is The Crucible called The Crucible?
Miller intended “The Crucible” as an allegory to McCarthyism. The events that took place during the time the play was written were very similar to the Salem witch hunts. This is why Miller named the book “The Crucible” after the Salem Witch Trials.
What are two themes in The Crucible?
Themes
- Intolerance. The Crucible is set in a theocratic society, in which the church and the state are one, and the religion is a strict, austere form of Protestantism known as Puritanism.
- Hysteria.
- Reputation.
- Goodness.
- Judgment.
How does The Crucible represent human experience?
The Crucible deals with the collective human experience of mass hysteria. This is closely related to the human emotion of fear. Mass hysteria refers to the ways in which a group of people perceive a great threat in society through rumours or fear.
What lessons can be learned from The Crucible?
What your students should learn from their study of The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
- An understanding of the limitations and benefits of the genre of drama.
- An awareness of how group hysteria starts and what it means to be part of something beyond your control.
- An idea of the values and world view of Puritan America.
How does Danforth abuse his power in The Crucible?
Danforth: Judge, Jury, and Executioner Judge Danforth’s position in the crucible is the Judge assigned to the proceedings of the Salem witch trials. Instead of treating this immense responsibility with the respect and restraint that is needed, Danforth abused his power by betraying the people of Salem and the Law.
How does fear and hysteria contribute to the tragedy in The Crucible?
An important theme is that of fear and mass hysteria which leads to extreme acts in the play as the human inclination to ascribe blame for pain and suffering to others and then destroy the supposedly guilty party surfaces.
What is the allegory of the Crucible?
In Arthur Miller ‘s play The Crucible, false accusations and fear are used to imprison and kill many people accused of being witches. In this way, The Crucible stands as an allegory for McCarthy ‘s communist hunt, during which many people were also killed and imprisoned due to accusations of communism.
How is mass hysteria in The Crucible?
In The Crucible, neighbors suddenly turn on each other and accuse people they’ve known for years of practicing witchcraft and devil-worship. The town of Salem falls into mass hysteria, a condition in which community-wide fear overwhelms logic and individual thought and ends up justifying its own existence.
What are human experiences?
The human experience is a term for the realities of human existence including the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical characteristics of human life.
How does The Crucible relate to today’s society?
The award-winning movie teaches modern high school students invaluable morals and emphasizes sensitive issues of the the past — such as the role of religion and politics — that are still relevant to the present society.
Why is it important to read The Crucible?
One of the most important reasons why The Crucible should be part of the curriculum is because of its historical context. Very few of the books read for class are based on historical events. Reading about these events is important because students can learn from mistakes made in the past and know better for the future.
What causes mass hysteria in The Crucible?
The play, The Crucible, is about a Puritan society that faces a mass hysteria. It arises after a group of girls from the Salem community are caught dancing by Reverend Parris, and blame their actions on the Devil. This causes a hysterical outbreak in the community.
What are examples of hysteria in The Crucible?
One clear example of mass hysteria within The Crucible, is in act one when Abigail reacts to Reverend Hale questioning her about conjuring a spirit onto Betty, she then proceeds to utilize Tituba as a scapegoat for her own safety.
What is the plot of the Crucible?
Plot Overview. In the Puritan New England town of Salem, Massachusetts, a group of girls goes dancing in the forest with a black slave named Tituba. While dancing, they are caught by the local minister, Reverend Parris. One of the girls, Parris’s daughter Betty, falls into a coma-like state. A crowd gathers in the Parris home while rumors…
What happens in Act 3 of the Crucible?
Much of Act III has to do with determining who will define innocence and guilt. Proctor makes one desperate bid for this authority by finally overcoming his desire to protect his good name, exposing his own secret sin. He hopes to replace his wife’s alleged guilt with his own guilt and bring down Abigail in the process.
What is a personal injury trust?
What is a Personal Injury Trust? A Personal Injury Trust is a way of holding compensation you receive from a personal injury claim. Using a Personal Injury Trust brings several financial advantages. It also provides a way of managing the compensation funds you receive, which could be a substantial amount of money.
What are the arguments in the Crucible about money?
Much of the crowd rushes upstairs and gathers in her bedroom, arguing over whether she is bewitched. A separate argument between Proctor, Parris, the argumentative Giles Corey, and the wealthy Thomas Putnam soon ensues. This dispute centers on money and land deeds, and it suggests that deep fault lines run through the Salem community.