The Crucible by Arthur Miller

The Crucible

Author: Arthur MillerGenre: PlayDate set: 1692Setting: Salem, MassachusettsDate written: 1953 Century: 20th century

The problems with religious communities

Mass hysteria An imperfect justice system

The power of lies and deceit

How jealousy can affect others

Distrust of women

The danger of holding grudges

The Allegory of The Crucible An allegory is a story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning.

In the 1940s and 1950s “The Red Scare” was the perceived threat posed by communists in the U.S.

Senator Joseph McCarthy (R – Wisconsin) was the ringleader of American officials who used political power to hunt down communists.

The formal congressional group that investigated allegations of communism was known as H.U.A.C. or the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Three Terms to Know

A Story of Three Worlds

What is happening in the world of the story? - 1690s

What is happening in the world of the author? - 1950s

What is happening in the world of the reader? - 2010s

A Story of Three Motifs

Wilderness

Community

Individualism

Symbolism in The Crucible

Crucible: a container in which metals may be melted to very high temperatures.

The term “crucible” is used in the title because it is symbolic of the intensity and pressure that Salem is subjected to, and how the citizens melt under that pressure.

The forest is symbolic of the devil’s kingdom, the unconquered region where witches live and work.

The red doll/poppet is a symbol of misunderstanding and faulty evidence.

A symbol is an object in a story that represents an idea.

John Proctor – The protagonist

Has a secret about his personal life.

He is a local farmer, living just outside Salem, and is married to Elizabeth Proctor.

Hates hypocrisy, and does not like Reverend Parris.

Abigail Williams – The ringleader

Seventeen-year old former servant of the Proctor family.

Manipulative and intelligent. She has a lot of influence among the girls her own age.

She is beautiful and a persuasive talker.

Elizabeth Proctor – Wife of John

She is a goodwife, a common title among the settlers, similar to our use of the word Mrs.

This is shortened to “Goody”.

She is virtuous and loyal, but rather cold.

Reverend Parris – Salem’s Puritan minister

Believes his daughter is possessed by the devil and seems to be very sick.

Not a popular man in the community, despite being the minister.

Concerned about status and wealth rather than spirituality.

Bible verse for The Crucible

“A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.”

Proverbs 17: 3-4 (NIV)