Puritans
Why are Puritans called Puritans?
They wanted to "purify" the Church of England
Abigail attempted to curse this person by drinking a charm of blood.
Elizabeth Proctor
Why is Reverend Parris so concerned about his reputation.
He believes the congregation wants to drive him out of Salem.
a system of government where a deity is recognized as the supreme ruler, and the state's legal and political affairs are directed by religious leaders or divine guidance.
Theocracy
The Crucible is an allegory for what historical event?
The Red Scare/McCarthy trials (period in US history where people felt threatened by communism)
During what time period did Puritanism thrive?
The 1700s
Who is the elderly, highly respected, and wise woman who brings a voice of calm and reason?
Rebecca Nurse
According to Arthur Miller, what is the primary emotion driving the Witch trials?
"The witch-hunt was a perverse manifestation of the panic which set in among all classes when the balance began to turn toward greater individual freedom"
Predilection
a strong liking, preference, or bias in favor of a particular thing
Calling Salem the "New Jerusalem" is an example of what literary device?
Allusion
What historical movement primarily contributed to the end of Puritanism?
The Enlightenment
Who is arguably the most manipulative character in Act I of The Crucible?
Abigail Proctor
Consistently lies, uses intimidations and threats: "Now look you. All of you. We danced. [...] And mark this—let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you." (Act I) [1]
What internal conflict tortures John Proctor?
The shame over his affair with Abigail and difficulty in forgiving himself
Inculcate
To teach and fix an idea, habit, or value in someone's mind through persistent and frequent repetition
The dark forest bordering Salem represents the unknown, chaos, and the realm of the devil. This is an example of what literary device?
Symbolism (I will also accept metaphor)
Enumerate 3 characteristics of puritans
Came to American soil in pursuit of religious freedom (were against the church of England)
Were heavily influenced by the works of John Calvin
Believed that God's will was enacted in every event, no matter how small, and was often revealed in nature
Believed humans are sinful by nature
Were prone to believe that illness was a consequence of God's wrath
Heavily emphasized the humility and unworthiness of humans in comparison to God
Tough, resilient with high work ethic
Deeply spiritual people who strove to live out the Bible, Bible was central to everything
Primary form of literature were diaries, sermons and non-fiction narratives
Valued self-awareness and self-exploration
Practiced and popularized personal devotions
In Act I of the Crucible, which character is best considered vindictive?
Thomas Putnam. "his vindictive nature was demonstrated long before the witchcraft began"
He is furious that his brother-in-law, James Bayley, had been turned down as minister at Salem. He saw it as an insult to his family's honor, and believed the villagers owed the position to his family given his military history and "intellectual superiority"
When Reverend Hale questions how a deeply respected, pious woman like Rebecca Nurse could possibly be a witch. He cautions, "Man, remember, until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven." What is the meaning of this quotation?
One's personal respectability or reputation does not make one immune from temptation/sin. If God can be deceived by someone's hypocrisy, how much more can humans be deceived?
Arbitrate
To act as an independent official who listens to opposing sides in an argument and makes a binding decision to settle the dispute
The Puritans fleeing England to escape religious persecution only to create a religiously oppressive society in Salem is an example of what literary device?
Irony
How are puritans described in The Crucible, is this accurate?
The Crucible provides a jaded caricature of Puritans as hypocritical, repressed, joy-hating, judgmental religious fanatics. They lack nuance and are primarily a plot device to prove Arthur Miller's point about the dangers of hysteria and intolerance
The Primary Scapegoat in Act I of the Crucible
Tituba. Her marginalized social status, ethnic differences and total lack of legal rights made her the easiest target to absorb the community's guilt and fear. This is exemplified at the beginning of the first act where under threat of bodily injury, is coerced into confessing to withcraft
The Innocence Project notes that about 25% to 29% of wrongful conviction cases overturned specifically through DNA evidence involved a false or coerced confession
According to Arthur Miller, the central paradox explored in The Crucible is the human need for both organized community and individual freedom. How are community organization and individual freedom paradoxical to each other?
"But all organization is and must be grounded on the idea of exclusion and prohibition"
What is a heat-resistant container used to melt or heat metals and other substances to very high temperatures?
Crucible
Give three reasons why literary devices are used
Possible answers:
Create a sense of rhythm (alliteration)
Gives depth to a story (paradox, symbolism)
Helps readers conjure mental images (simile, metaphor)
Gives characters dimension, reveals the emotional intensity of the character (hyperbole, hyperbole)
Draws attention to and reinforce themes (motifs, themes)
Help readers emotionally invest in a text (creates tension, empathy)
Helps with pacing and structure (such as foreshadowing and flashbacks)
Sets a mood/tone (for example, diction can set a creepy or depressive backdrop)