Transcript The Crucible

The
Crucible
by Arthur Miller
Objectives
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COS
Analyze author’s use of literary
elements
Analyze use of figurative
language
Recognize fallacies in logic
Draw conclusions
Analyze literature for plot
structure, cultural significance,
use of propaganda
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AHSGE
Identify supporting details
Determine sequence of events
Draw conclusions
Determine cause and effect
Detect propaganda
Recognize fallacies in logic
Analyze literary elements
Demonstrate understanding of
figurative language
Literary Terms
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Conflict
Internal conflict
External conflict
Exposition
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Resolution
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Irony
Motivation
Dynamic/ static
character
Comic relief
Protagonist
Antagonist
Allegory
hyperbole
Vocabulary
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Crucible
Quail (verb)
Denounce
Befoul
Pretense
Solemn
Contention
Prodigious
Vengeance
Malevolent / Benevolent
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Reprisal / retribution
Vengeful
Fathom
Inculcation
Diabolic
Abomination
Blasphemy
Anarchy
Sadistic
PURITAN BELIEFS
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Predestination: the saved, or the elect, are predetermined
The elect could do no wrong and could be
forgiven if they did sin
God could elect those to be saved, and the devil
could select those to be witched
Valued education (one must be able to read and
interpret theology)
“Vain enjoyment”
PURITAN BELIEFS
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Witches existed as agents of the devil sent to
overthrow the Puritans’ righteous community
The forest was considered the “devil’s last
preserve”
Indians were considered heathens unless they
converted to Christianity
Battles between Indians and Puritans were
common and bloody
PURITAN BELIEFS
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Theocracy: the church and government are under
God’s control and are representatives of God
Sin=Crime
Attempted to establish a “New Jerusalem” in
Salem, Massachusetts.
THE SALEM WITCH
TRIALS
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The punishment for witchcraft or affiliation
with the devil was hanging
One could avoid hanging by confessing and
repenting or accusing another
THE SALEM WITCH
TRIALS
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Men, women, and even dogs were accused
19 people and 2 dogs were hanged
1 man was pressed with stones
The witch trials lasted less than a year (1692)
THE SALEM WITCH
TRIALS
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Alternate theories:
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Ergot poisoning
Drug-induced hallucinations
Jealousy and vengeance
McCarthyism
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Senator Joseph McCarthy was a young, upand-coming senator wanting to make a
name for himself
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took advantage of the fear of communism
Wanted to rid the United States of the
communist threat
Accused innocent people of having communist
affiliations; Arthur Miller was one of those
McCarthyism
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HUAAC: House Un-American Activities
Committee
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Established to question those accused
Miller refused to answer questions or implicate
others
Was held in contempt but appealed and won after a
2-year battle
McCarthy was denounced for his contribution
to the hysteria
Similarities
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A person is either
with the committee
or against it
Fear of communism
led to fearmongering
McCarthy and
others took
advantage
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A person is either
with the court or
against it
Fear of the devil led
to fear-mongering
Crooked judges,
townspeople, etc. took
advantage
Setting
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Act
Act
Act
Act
I: Rev. Parris’s house
II: John Proctor’s house
III: Salem Meeting House
IV: Salem jail, gallows
What is the significance of the order of
setting?
Act I questions:
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5.
What causes Betty’s trance?
How does Abigail feel about John Proctor? How
does Proctor feel about Abigail?
Describe Rebecca Nurse’s reaction to Betty’s
and Ruth’s illnesses.
Why does Proctor not attend church regularly?
Why does Tituba confess to Abigail’s
unfounded accusations?
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How does Tituba get a “stab” at Parris?
Why does Ann Putnam send Ruth to
conjure spirits?
Describe Abigail’s relationship with the
other girls.
Why does Abigail drink a “charm”?
What does this potentially foreshadow?
How does Betty react to hearing the
hymn? Significance?
Describe Giles Corey’s role in Act I.
Act I important quotes:
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Parris: “…if you trafficked with spirits in
the forest I must know it…for my enemies
will….”
“Abigail, do you understand that I have
many enemies?”
“There is a faction that is sworn to drive
me from my pulpit.”
“My ministry’s at stake, my ministry and
perhaps your cousin’s life.”
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Ann Putnam: “How high did she fly…?”
“I’d not call it sick; the Devil’s touch is
heavier that sick.”
“Tituba knows how to speak to the dead,
Mr. Parris.”
Thomas Putnam: “There be children dyin’
in the village….”
John Proctor: “Mr. Parris, you are the first
minister ever did demand the deed to this
house—”
Act II questions:
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Describe John and Elizabeth’s relationship status.
Why does Elizabeth doubt John? Why does this anger
him? Is his anger justified?
Why does John hesitate telling Cheever about his
encounter with Abigail?
Why does Mary Warren continue the accusations?
Why does Rev. Hale suspect the Proctor’s? What is his
advice?
What is the significance of the poppet?
How does Elizabeth change Cheever’s mind about her
innocence?
Why is Rebecca Nurse charged? Elizabeth Proctor?
Martha Corey?
Act II important quotes:
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Proctor: “This farm’s a continent when you
go foot by foot droppin’ seeds in it.”
“We are only what we always were, but
naked now.”
Elizabeth: “The magistrate sits in your
heart that judges you.”
Hale: “Theology, sir, is a fortress; no crack
in a fortress may be accounted small.”
Giles Corey: “John—tell me, are we lost?”
Acts III and IV questions:
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Id Hale as either static or dynamic. Defend your
answer.
What does Abigail’s departure suggest about her
credibility?
What proof does Proctor have that the girls are lying?
C/C Danforth and Hathorne.
Why does Parris beg the characters to confess? Static
or dynamic?
Why does Hale claim to be doing the Devil’s work?
Why does Proctor refuse to sign the confession? How
does Elizabeth react?
Why does Proctor choose his “goodness”?
Defend the title of the play.
Acts III and IV important quotes:
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Danforth: “Reproach me not with fear in the
country; there is fear in the country because
there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the
country!”
Proctor: “A man may think God sleeps. But God
sees everything.”
“That woman will never lie, Mr. Danforth.”
Hale: “I may shut my conscience to it no more—
private vengeance is working through this
testimony.”