... witchcraft, and those who didn't confess to this, they were hanged. This horrible tragedy of 1600's Salem was captured brilliantly by playwright Arthur Miller in his critical success, "The Crucible." In his play, he successfully chronicles the hysteria that overtook this small village, and through it's dialogue ... to confess to their "crimes." Others held onto the knowledge that they were innocent and these individuals were executed; and died with integrity. In Miller's play, "The Crucible," the words of John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, and Elizabeth Proctor demonstrate how far a man or wom...

• Word Count: 1136
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

In Miller's "The Crucible" the pride of the people of Salem leads to a massacre of innocent lives. Pride is delight or elation arising from some act, possession, or relationship. One of the main characters, John Proctor, has pride in his beliefs of purifying the Church of England. His wife, Elizabet...

• Word Count: 662
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... or gain each others' land. Through the characters of John Proctor, the tragic hero; Giles Corey, the scapegoat; and Abigail Williams, the villain, Miller laments the fact that in the real world truth is not always rewarded and treachery sometimes prevails. John Proctor functions as the tragic hero who begins the ... shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs" (133). David Levine notes that, "The Crucible dramatizes brilliantly the dilemma of an innocent man who must confess falsely if he wants to live and who finally g...

• Word Count: 1144
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... 1600's, most commonly in Salem, Massachusetts. Does witchcraft still exist today? In the Crucible, plenty of different stories circulated of people changing, being arrested, and just simply accused. Arthur Miller, the author of the Crucible, shows the transactions that the characters go through using direct and indirect characterization; He shows how Abigail's manipulation, Proctor's withholding, and Elizabeth's loving ... and choosing her words wisely Abigail states: "oh posh! Winningly she comes a little closer, with a confidential wicked air we were dancing in the woods last night" (M...

• Word Count: 805
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... coupled with the heavy religious overtones create the feeling, right for the start of the play, that the people speaking are irrational, and dangerously so. Miller also can use the theme of witchcraft and Heaven vs. Hell to create scenes including vivid imagery. In Act 3 Abigail tells the court that ... that there is no bird the suggestion of one coupled with evil spirits looming over the court heightens the tension with massive dramatic effect. Miller also uses characters such as Proctor to heighten the tension at the end of each act. Proctor being the main protagonist is involved in .....

• Word Count: 1066
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... cannot charge murder on Abigail, she"ll kill me for sayin" that! Abby"ll charge lechery on you, Mr Proctor! I cannot, they"ll turn on me." (Miller 80) The audience can really feel the fear in the tone of her voice. When it comes to pride Giles Corey sure shows this trait. The audience can feel ... "You know I never hired a lawyer in my life, and always plaintiff, too. I am never put - upon, I know my rights, sir, and I will have them." (Miller 95) This allows the audience to feel his deep pride for himself. The dialogue between characters in the play is very good also in this aspect Arthu...

• Word Count: 688
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... years unless it is attacked from within or by unjust hostile forces. Where such attacks occur, will primarily target well-known and respected authoritative members of the society. In Arthur Miller's The Crucible a small lustful unacceptable love story between John Procter and Abigail Williams transforms into a sinful plot that implicitly illustrates that in a theocratic society, heavy influence of religion constitutes ... nothing more than a set of unjust lies the entire society agreed upon. Lying is done through the manipulation of words, but also through plain silence. In The Crucible...

• Word Count: 995
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... written describing the events that led to the hysteria like Salem Witchcraft by Charles W. Upham and The Salem Witchcraft Delusion by Alice Dickinson. Arthur Miller's play The Crucible is another example. The events described in The Crucible and the actual Salem Witch Trial events are closely related in that ... accusation. Historical figures such as Martha Corey, Rebecca Nurse and Elizabeth Proctor were arrested and tried also, among others. In the play by Arthur Miller, The Crucible, some historical events were changed around to fit a modern day drama. In the play, Elizabeth Parris" na...

• Word Count: 1002
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• Grade Level: High School

... is at peace with himself. The terms tragic action, tragic feeling, tragic hero, and tragic flaw are all used by Miller to help describe the three components of the tragic mode. Arthur Miller defines the tragic flaw as a "crack in the character that is really nothing- and need be nothing- (Tragedy and ... flaw, he ultimately reaches the point where he cannot keep his guilt inside himself any longer. He commits the ultimate sacrifice, defined by Arthur Miller as the tragic action. The tragic action is when the hero sacrifices the one thing that was holding him back throughout his inner str...

• Word Count: 968
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" (Page 143_Arthor Miller). If he allows Danforth to publicize his confession, his family's honor will collapse. He wants to protect his honor as well as his family's honor from the ... says that "I have three children-how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?" (Page 143_Arthur Miller). If he is dishonorable to his friends, this will be stuck on his back along his family. Proctor would like to teach his children how to become the ... heart, Mr. Parris....

• Word Count: 1059
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• Grade Level: High School

... including, "All of My Sons" and "Death of a Sails man". As an American Arthur Miller undertook questioning for being accused of communism. Miller thought this was violating his freedom, since America is a free country he believed people should not be questioned for their beliefs. Out of this, Arthur Miller was inspired to write "The crucible", which is a story about people attacking others for ... witchcraft practices and beliefs. In a way Miller extracted some of the "cold wars' ideas on communism and assimilated them to the crucible where girls attacked others for ... ...

• Word Count: 921
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• Grade Level: High School

... throughout our history. Generally, the classic tragic hero in literature is characterized as a noble man, of many virtues and high position. However, according to Arthur Miller in his theatre essay, "Tragedy and the Common Man," "any common man is as apt a subject for tragedy in its highest sense as a king." Thus ... fights courageously against the overwhelming odds of the society. Accordingly, Atticus Finch, of Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as John Proctor, from Miller's own play, The Crucible, can be identified as such tragic heroes. Harper Lee, in her novel, To Kil...

• Word Count: 1090
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• Grade Level: High School

... of Americans were accused of being Communist spies. Although people were not hanged for criminal actions like in the Puritan society, their punishments were harsh and sever fines were paid. Miller wanted to show that people's lives could be ruined by one person "pointing the finger." Reputation was a main ideological concern for Puritans of early America. People with high status like ... religion was strict and austere making crimes committed punished by state law. The crowd of people witnessing the hangings helps viewers to understand the ideas associated with Puritan life. Arthur Mill...

• Word Count: 649
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... silently. This can be seen taking place in the highly acclaimed play, The Crucible, which is based on historically accurate events and is written by Arthur Miller. In this play, when a few people start accusing others of witchcraft, it sparks an uproar in the Town of Salem. Friends turn into enemies ... and tries to warn the court of his evil doings, "I have evidence for the court! Thomas Putnam is reaching out for land." (Miller 84). Thomas Putnam specifically accuses his neighbour, George Jacobs, of witchcraft because he knows that as soon as a man is found guilty and hung, their ... ;...

• Word Count: 987
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• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... the term "crucible" is never actually mentioned. The word crucible, in simplest terms, means "a trial." Although the play is based around a series of court-trials, Miller chose it as the title to mean a severe test, as of patience or belief; a trial within oneself. Many of the characters in The Crucible face difficult decisions ... only way the court will believe him is by telling of Abigail's previous sins. He chooses to confess to their affair, even though it means destroying his name. Miller depicts the situation, "trembling, his life collapsing around him: I have known her, sir. I hav...

• Word Count: 1041
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... Abigail Williams as a frustrating character with a strong desire for power, very similar to that of Joseph McCarthy. Miller also displays Abigail as a ruthless, resentful and deceitful individual. Joseph McCarthy and Abigail Williams both did wrong things ... when they were alone, but now Proctor has no way of proving to the court that she is lying. Through Abigail Williams" character, Arthur Miller shows how the desire for power can destroy society and corrupt and individual causing them to be ruthless, resentful and deceitful. Abigail was a ruthless ... girl who showed no mercy upon ...

• Word Count: 1072
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• Grade Level: High School

... quotes that best symbolizes John Proctor's love and overall good affections for his wife "I mean to please you Elizabeth"(Miller, page.50). After saying this Proctor afterwards goes on to say, "I think you"re sad again. Are you?" (Miller, page.51). These quotes best give an example of Proctor's caring affections toward his wife Elizabeth, at a time ... her living yet another year, and a year is long. What say you sir? It is done now. Will you drop this charge? Proctor: I - I think I cannot."(Miller, page.92). In this passage judge Danforth questions if Proctor's wife is really pregnant, t...

• Word Count: 1009
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... try your patience, liability, or morality. In The Crucible, several of the characters, particularly Proctor, experience explicit trials on their principles. Arthur Miller accurately entitled his drama The Crucible since it deals with a series of trials/tests that, specifically, focus on the concept of integrity. When ... damaged his integrity by committing lechery with the young Abigail Williams. When his morals were tested by temptation, he failed and committed adultery. Miller indicates that Proctor felt guilt when he described John as a "[sinner] against his own vision of decent cond...

• Word Count: 763
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• Grade Level: High School

... crucial role. Farmer John Proctor, who is in his middle thirties, is married to Elizabeth Proctor. John is pretty much an even-tempered man. In Authur Miller's book The Crucible it is clearly shown that John Proctor is not an honest man. Proctor is not honest in that he cheats on his wife, he ... Parris greatly. Abigail Williams says, "I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion and you loved me then and you do now" (Miller 22). Later on Mr. Proctor admits to the court that he cheated on his wife. "I have known her, sir. I have known her." In other words...

• Word Count: 545
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... the sad world needs." -Ella Wheeler Wilcox While under the pressure of the government, author Arthur Miller, describes the corruption and false ideals of the Salem Massachusetts witch trials in his play The Crucible. Miller portrays the idea that the Puritan religion is heavily based upon the Ten Commandments. They govern the ... land with this religious belief. Miller also demonstrates the idea that theocracy, where the church runs the government, is a government that simply cannot work, due to the ... no different. Their inability to follow the Commandment "You shall have no other god...

• Word Count: 870
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

In Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, the plot tells a story of cold-blooded revenge, unlawful accusations made on fearful, innocent, law-abiding citizens, and the heavy ... unfortunate repercussions of his mistakes. Proctor's portrayal is that of a good, strong-willed man, with horrible secrets and character flaws that foreshadow his demise. In Act I, Miller's expositions reveal several facts about the character, John Proctor, particularly of his strong will and the respect and fear his name gains from the people of Salem " ... in his beliefs, and quick to correct the uninformed. The latt...

• Word Count: 942
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... the term "crucible" is never actually mentioned. The word crucible, in simplest terms, means "a trial." Although the play is based around a series of court-trials, Miller chose it as the title to mean a severe test, as of patience or belief; a trial within oneself. Many of the characters in The Crucible face difficult decisions ... only way the court will believe him is by telling of Abigail's previous sins. He chooses to confess to their affair, even though it means destroying his name. Miller depicts the situation, "trembling, his life collapsing around him: I have known her, sir. I hav...

• Word Count: 986
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... certain situation and in certain ways. This is a primal emotion exists to keep us alive and avoid danger. In the play, "The Crucible," by Arthur Miller we see this emotion come up in many different characters throughout the play-in some more than others and have a great impact on the thoughts and actions of ... is said to him, for example, "You will remain where you are! Mr. Parris, go into the court and bring Goodwife Proctor out," (Miller). With this excerpt we can see that Danforth is starting to fear that he was incorrect all this time so he tries to save his name and fight ... hersel...

• Word Count: 618
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

In the Crucible written by the famous play write Arthur Miller lying was an enormous obstacle many characters dealt with throughout the story. The one character that stood at most to me was Abigail Williams. There ... accusing her of having an affair. "My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled! Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!" (Miller, 1). She builds a large amount of hate and jealousy for Elizabeth Proctor and is determined to get revenge on her. Out of all hate and jealousy Abigail manipulates her ... doll and stabbing it in the court. Danforth-"While you...

• Word Count: 458
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

In Arthur Miller's, "The Crucible," many themes are expressed throughout the play. Themes are the undertone of the story. A theme of a book usually sets the mood and describes what is ... ruled these peoples lives. The court was the main ruling body of justice and was run by the church. The concept of justice in 1692 is shown when Arthur Miller dedicates the entire third act to the courtroom. Abigail pressures the girls to lie in court in order to accuse everyone that they didn't get along with of witchcraft ... Superstition was the biggest cause of these trials. There were no real witches i...

• Word Count: 488
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School