The CrucibleArthur Miller

Arthur Miller

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IntroductionThe witchcraft trials in Salem, Massachusetts, during the 1690s have been a blot on the history of America, a country which has come to pride itself on the concepts of free speech and justice as well as on its religious principles.

Guilt by association, unexamined testimony, judges blinded by their biases, and individuals determined to use the system of justice when no evidence of a crime existed – these kinds of social or political problems did not go away with the completion of those trials.

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IntroductionU.S. Senator Joseph R. McCarthy’s relentless determination to find “un-American” citizens and communists in all areas of American life in the early 1950s prompted Arthur Miller to write The Crucible, a play about the Salem witch trials which has similarities to “McCarthyism.”

The play no doubt prompted the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1956 to call Miller for questioning, but Miller refused to cooperate when asked to identify writers who had once been communists.

Richard H. Rovere calls Miller “the leading symbol of the militant, risk-taking conscience” of that time. Although the play does not parallel the McCarthy investigations exactly, Miller as a socially conscious writer, is clearly making a statement about conscience and political morality relevant to the McCarthy period – or any period.

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaDrama is literature in play form. It is meant to be performed live.

Understanding the conventions, or typical features, of drama can help you visualize the performance when you read a script.

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Text Analysis: Conventions of Drama

Types of Characters

Hero (protagonist): Typically, the play’s main character.

Villain (antagonist): A character who opposes the hero.

Foil: A character whose qualities contrast with those of other characters, often with those of the hero.

Stage DirectionsInstructions that describe the settings and tell actors how they should move, speak, and behave onstage.

DialogueThe lines that the characters speak.

The dialogue moves the plot forward and reveals character traits.

PlotThe sequence of events.

The plot is driven by a conflict that builds throughout each act.

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Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about CharactersCharacters in drama reveal their personality traits through their words and actions.

The descriptions in the stage directions can also provide insight into these characters.

As you read The Crucible, draw conclusions about the play’s main characters.

Record their important traits and the evidence that reveals these traits on a chart (handout). Be sure to add characters to the chart as you encounter them.

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Vocabulary in ContextArthur Miller uses the following terms to help convey the atmosphere of the Salem witch trials. • adamant• anarchy• contentious• corroborate• deference• immaculate• imperceptible• iniquity• subservient

(review terms)

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SummaryIn this play, Arthur Miller traces the hysteria in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, as several girls begin to accuse their neighbors of associating with the Devil.

Suspicion and ill will spread as the townspeople bring up current disputes and past grudges, implicate one another in the charge of witchcraft, and witness court proceedings against those so charged.

By the time the witch trials end, Salem has been forever stained.

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaExamine the Cast of Characters on page 137.

All the characters in a drama usually are presented in a list at the beginning of the play.

If you were watching this play in a theater, which character would you expect to see first on the stage?

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Targeted Passage: Background (137)This passage introduces the play’s historical context and Miller’s approach to the culture and troubled tone of Salem in that era.

◦ What events provide the historical basis for this play?

◦ What is “spectral evidence?”

◦ Why was no one safe in Salem during the time period covered in the play?

◦ Are the characters in the play purely fictional, or are they based on real people?

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Act ONE: SummaryAct one opens with Reverend Parris praying for his sick daughter, Betty.

An essay explains the historical setting; then Parris reveals that the illness is thought to be due to bewitchment.

Among the townspeople who discuss the matter is John Proctor, who had an affair with Parris’s niece, Abigail.

Reverend Hale comes to purge the town of witches; but in the conversations that follow, innocent people are accused of witchcraft.

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaRead An Overture on pages 138 - 141.

The stage directions describe the set and identify the play’s setting. They also identify the characters on stage and provide direction about what these characters should be doing.

Let’s practice! (handout)

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Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about CharactersRead Background on page 137, then read An Overture on pages 138 - 141.

Practice drawing conclusions by making a list of Reverend Parris’ actions, words, and traits. (record conclusions on the handout)

What is Parris’ motivation for his concern?

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: pages 138 - 141Connect◦ Have you ever encountered someone who pried into what you were doing? How did the

experience affect you?

Interpret◦ Why does a constant interest in other people’s business have the potential to make

people suspicious of each other?

Synthesize◦ On the basis of your own experiences and what you know about the play so far, do you

think that “minding other people’s business” is an example of unity, which keeps a community safe, or an example of a judgmental mindset, which breeds intolerance?

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaRead the italicized stage directions on page 141 (lines 1 – 13).

In the stage directions, Miller provides concrete instructions for the characters’ movements, but he also presents clues about the characters’ emotions.

What emotions do these stage directions suggest?

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Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about CharactersBegin reading the play on pages 141 – 145.

What conclusions can you draw about Abigail’s character, given Parris’s remarks and her responses in lines 131 – 147? (record conclusions on the handout)

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: page 145Connect◦ Think about a time when you or someone you know tried but failed to change someone’s

opinion. How might it feel to have your argument rejected – and to know that the other person continues to hold a view that you do not?

Analyze◦ Why does Parris speak “with dwindling conviction now” (line 192)?

Synthesize◦ On the basis of what you have learned about these characters so far, what do you think

is the significance of Mrs. Putnam’s observation that Reverend Hale “found a witch in Beverly last year” (lines 195 – 196)?

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaRead pages 146 – 147.

According to the stage directions in lines 206 – 208, why does Putnam continue to talk about witches?

Given the information, how might you interpret Putnam’s advice to Parris in lines 249 – 251 and 272 – 276?

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Targeted Passage: lines 309 - 322This passage reveals the growing speculation and the girls’ differing responses to it.

◦ According to Mary, who is talking about witchcraft?

◦ On the basis of Mercy’s comment, what do you think the girls had planned to do? Why is that plan not working?

◦ What does Mary want the girls to do? How will that plan benefit her?

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Analyze Visuals: page 147Take a close look at this photograph from the 1996 film version of The Crucible.

From what you can see of the body language and facial expressions of the people, what do you think is the mood of this crowd? Does it match the mood of the text? Explain.

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Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about CharactersRead pages 148 – 150.

What conclusions can you draw about Abigail’s character, given her comments in lines 353 – 364? (record conclusions on the handout)

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaOn the basis of Miller’s mini essay, what role do you think John Proctor will play: hero, villain, major figure, minor figure, foil, etc.? Explain.

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Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about CharactersReread the stage directions in lines 391 – 404.

What does Proctor’s facial expression reveal about his attitude toward Abigail as he first addresses her?

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: page 149Summarize◦ Why does Abigail grow angry with Proctor?

Analyze◦ What caused Abigail to lose her job with the Proctors?

Synthesize◦ Why might Abigail resist Proctor’s decision to end their affair?

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Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about CharactersAs Proctor responds to Abigail’s insults about Elizabeth in lines 457 – 463, what do his words and the stage directions suggest about his view of his marriage? Cite evidence to explain your response.

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaRead pages 150 – 154.

Miller’s mini essays create two worlds: the world inhabited by the play’s characters, and the world that contains him and his readers. Notice how this time (pages 150 – 151) Miller begins by speaking of “we,” as if he and his readers are talking behind the characters’ backs. Is Miller’s strategy of inviting the reader into his confidence effective? Why or why not?

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaThe relationship between Francis and Rebecca Nurse and Thomas Putnam is complicated and unfriendly. Using the mini essay on pages 150 – 151, review the main reasons for the families’ conflict.

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Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about CharactersIn what sense do Rebecca Nurse’s words in lines 522 - 530 set her character apart from the others? (record conclusions on the handout)

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: page 152Recall◦ What does Reverend Parris complain about in lines 594 – 629?

Analyze◦ What do Parris’s complaints suggest about how he thinks of himself? Explain.

Synthesize◦ How might Parris’s attitude harm his ability to deal effectively with the witchcraft scare?

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: page 154Connect◦ Have you ever been in a situation in which someone blurted out a confession or other

piece of secret information What happened as a result of the revelation?

Analyze◦ What can you infer about Proctor’s personality and attitudes from his remark in line

646?

Synthesize◦ What do you think Rebecca means when she says, “You are another kind, John” (line

653)? Explain.

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Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about CharactersRead pages 155 – 162.

Reread the first 16 lines of Miller’s mini-essay. What character traits of Reverend Hale’s can you add to your handout (Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about Characters)? What evidence can you identify to support your conclusions?

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaHow does Miller draw attention to the fact that this drama is something separate from the “real world” (how do you know this is a play and NOT real life)?

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: page 156Restate◦ According to the paragraph that begins this page, why is the Devil a “weapon”?

Analyze◦ How is the “political inspiration of the Devil” at work in Salem?

Evaluate◦ Compare this mini-essay to other mini-essays in The Crucible. In your opinion, is this mini-essay as helpful as the others? Why or why not?

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Targeted Passage: page 156 (Miller’s mini-essay, second column)In this passage, Miller explains how a fear similar to the one that gripped Salem is possible in the world today.

◦ What political system demonizes capitalism?

◦ Why is it useful for governments to cast their political opponents as diabolical?

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Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about CharactersCompare the concluding paragraph of this mini-essay to the opening paragraph on page 155. How would you describe Hale’s view of himself and his goal in Salem?

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: page 158Recall◦ What heavy items has Reverend Hale brought with him to Salem, and why?

Analyze◦ What evidence suggests that Hale may not be as quick to believe a charge of witchcraft as some of the Salemites seem to be?

Synthesize◦ Do you think that Hale will maintain his “sensible” attitude as the story unfolds? Why or why not?

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaWhere does Miller position his mini-essay about Giles Corey?

How does the placement affect the dialogue?

Imagine this mini-essay is being presented as part of the play. Which speech device best fits this situation (refer to your notes!)?

Reread lines 814 – 831, but skip over the mini-essay this time. How might your understanding of Giles’s character be different if you did NOT possess the information found in the mini-essay?

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: lines 959 - 997Connect◦ Have you ever known someone who claimed to do or see something that he or she might not really have done or seen? How would that memory help you identify with this scene?

Analyze◦ What are Hale and Parris trying to get Tituba to do, and why?

Evaluate◦ How effective is Miller in creating suspense in this scene? Explain.

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Targeted Passage: lines 1050 - 1077In this passage, the climax of Act One, accusations boost the plot complexity and emotional intensity of the play.

◦ Whose example finally compels Betty to risk and speak? What does she say?

◦ Why does Betty cry out “with great relief”? Why does Hale seem relieved?

◦ Why does Hale want the marshal to come with “irons”? Which Salemites do you think the marshal will visit?

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Assessment: Act OneDISTRIBUTE ASSESSMENT

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Act TWO: SummaryAs Act Two begins, John and Elizabeth Proctor express concern about the growth of the witchcraft scare.

Then they argue: Elizabeth urges her husband to expose Abigail as a fraud, and the two revisit his affair with her.

Mary Warren brings news of further arrests and the possible implication of Elizabeth.

Reverend Hale arrives and interviews the couple, and when the marshal arrests Elizabeth, Proctor condemns the desire for vengeance that is driving events, and he vows to save his wife.

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaUse the stage directions to explain what happens between Elizabeth and Proctor in lines 33 – 34. Read aloud the stage directions, emphasizing the words kiss, receives, and disappointment.

Why does he feel “a certain disappointment”?

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: lines 20 – 32 Connect◦ Think of a time when you have done something in hopes of making someone happy, only to have your effort fail. How does that experience help you understand Proctor’s feelings when Elizabeth fails to respond to his attempts to make her feel better?

Analyze◦ Why does Proctor make a point of saying, “I mean to please you, Elizabeth” (line 31)?

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaMiller reveals more about the Proctors’ attitudes toward each other in the stage directions. Elizabeth worries that her husband was in Salem, and “He knows what she means” (line 65).

Of what concern is John Proctor aware?

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Targeted Passage: lines 82 – 104 This passage reveals that the search for witches in Salem is getting out of control.

◦ Why has a court been set up in Salem?

◦ Who is the leader of the girls who claim to be bewitched?

◦ What system is used to determine whether the accused people are witches?

◦ Do Proctor and Elizabeth believe that the accused are witches? How can you tell?

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Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about CharactersReread lines 149 – 164. Then, identify character traits, evidence, and motivations for John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor on your handout.

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Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about CharactersMiller provides clues about Mary Warren’s character by describing her directly and by showing how other characters react to her. Reread lines 199-217. What do the stage directions suggest about how Mary feels after her day in court?

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Targeted Passage: lines 213 - 233◦ How many women have been arrested?

◦ What is the punishment if a person is found guilty of witchcraft? How can a person avoid that punishment?

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Comprehension Support: lines 348 – 349 Find the word noose in lines 348 – 349.

A noose is a loop of rope used to hang someone. Elizabeth and John Proctor use the word to refer to Elizabeth’s execution, should she be convicted.

Paraphrase these two lines using modern English.

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: 378 – 384 Restate◦ Retell in your words what Elizabeth says about Abigail in lines 382 – 384.

Analyze◦ How and why does Elizabeth try to show that she is different from Goody Good and Goody Osburn?

Evaluate◦ How effective is this passage in deepening our understanding of Elizabeth and Abigail? Explain.

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaHow do dramatic conventions in lines 436 – 453 show that Reverend Hale’s arrival creates a tense atmosphere in the Proctor home?

Why do Elizabeth and John Proctor become tense and guarded after Hale arrives?

Why is Hale ill at ease with the Proctors?

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Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions about CharactersThink about Proctor’s comments on page 172. Why would it be reasonable to conclude that Proctor is an independent thinker?

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Analyze Visuals: page 172Take a close look at this photograph from the 1996 film version of The Crucible.

Study how the characters are positioned in the photo and what they are doing. What do their positions and activities reveal about the Proctor family?

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: 578 – 595 Summarize◦ What does Elizabeth see in Hale’s behavior that makes her desperate for Proctor to

reveal what he knows about Abigail?

Analyze◦ Elizabeth nearly begs Proctor to tell Hale about Abigail. Why do you think Elizabeth

doesn’t reveal the information herself?

Evaluate◦ Do you find Proctor’s weakness in this scene believable? Why or why not?

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: 648 - 663Connect◦ Have you or someone you know ever had to put up a defense against a false accusation? How

does that experience help you understand Elizabeth’s risky response to Hale’s concern that she does not believe in witches?

Interpret◦ When Proctor comes to her defense during the questioning, Elizabeth cries out, “Question Abigail

Williams about the Gospel, not myself!” (lines 661 – 662). What does she mean?

Synthesize◦ Consider what you have learned about Elizabeth in this passage. Do you think that she will make

a favorable impression in court? Why or why not?

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Targeted Passage: lines 672 – 695 Even the most upstanding citizens of Salem are not safe from the charge of witchcraft.

◦ With what crime is Rebecca Nurse charged?

◦ Why is it so surprising that Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey have been accused?

◦ How does Elizabeth characterize the town after learning of the arrests? Why does she direct her comment to Reverend Hale?

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaThe plot deepens when Miller introduces the clerk of the court, Cheever, and the marshal, Herrick (lines 726 – 735). What plot complication is likely to follow the entrance of these characters?

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Text Analysis: Conventions of DramaThe characters become more agitated and the dialogue moves quickly as the plot now becomes more complicated. How does Abigail use the poppet to create further conflict between herself and Elizabeth?

Review the action discussed in this scene involving Mary, Abigail, and the poppet, especially lines 799 – 810. Complete the sequence chain to understand the steps leading to Elizabeth being charged with the stabbing of Abigail.

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Targeted Passage: lines 876 – 884 In this passage, Proctor’s outburst points to a key idea in The Crucible.

◦ According to Proctor, what does a person gain by accusing others of witchcraft?

◦ Why does Proctor say that the children have all the power in Salem now? What evidence might he offer to prove this claim?

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Tiered Discussion Prompts: 894 - 908Connect◦ Have you ever tried to act strong in a difficult situation? Do you think that you were

successful? Do you think that others noticed your attempt?

Interpret◦ Why is it significant that when Elizabeth realizes that she must leave her home, she

immediately gives a set of ordinary household orders?

Synthesize◦ Given what you have learned about Proctor and Elizabeth, who do you think is better

equipped to handle a court appearance? Explain.

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Targeted Passage: lines 934 – 954 This passage reveals Hale’s stubbornness, despite his concern about the way that Salem is handling its witchcraft scare.

◦ To whom does Hale refer when he says that “the vengeance of a little girl” could not have caused the town’s frenzy?

◦ Why does Proctor call Hale a coward?

◦ Why does Hale think that such terrible events are happening in Salem? Does he think that witchcraft is the only explanation?

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Assessment: Act TwoDISTRIBUTE ASSESSMENT

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