Historical Context
Town, Colony ("state"), and year in which the story takes place.
Will accept an error range of 3 years in either direction.
Salem, Massachusetts, 1692
"A wild thing may say wild things. But not so wild, I think. I have seen you since she put me out; I have seen you nights."
Abigail Williams
A strong liking or preference for something.
Predilection
allegory
A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
Manipulative, assertive, intelligent, vengeful, deceptivessertive, influential
Abigail
The society in The Crucible is theocratic.
What is a theocracy, and how does it relate to the historical context of our story?
A theocracy is a government based on religious authority. It relates to our story because all authority figures in Salem during the 17th century were religious leaders with a lack of checks and balances.
"I'd best be off. I have my Ruth to watch. Good morning, Mr. Proctor."
Marry Warren!
To receive.
Inherit
allegation
A claim or assertion, typically made without proof, that someone has done something illegal or wrong.
Honest, strong-willed, flawed, skeptical, guilt-ridden
John Proctor
The story is a dramatized historical fiction. Describe what this means (by each word) and how The Crucible fits this genre.
Historical - the core of the story is real, the characters were real people.
Fiction - some elements are not accurate or are slightly deviated from original context.
Dramatized - made more dramatic for the purposes of entertainment.
"A wide opinion's running in the parish that the Devil may be among us, and I would satisfy them that they are wrong."
Reverend Parris
To be self-contradictory or logically absurd.
Paradoxical
inhumane
To be lacking in compassion, kindness, or consideration for others
Paranoid, self-serving, insecure, authoritative, anxious
Reverend Parris
The themes of individual guilt and mass hysteria in The Crucible were inspired by author Miller's own experiences with McCarthyism.
What was McCarthyism, and why was Miller so appalled by it?
McCarthyism was a political ideology during Miller's time, which was spearheaded by unchecked authority figures who alleged average citizens were Communists. Miller was one of the alleged.
To be called a Communist, in the 60s, was as bad as being called a Witch in the 1600s.
"I never heard you worried so on this society, Mr. Proctor. I do not think I saw you at Sabbath meeting since snow flew."
Thomas Putnam
To treat someone unfairly or cruelly based on group (religion, beliefs, etc.)
Persecute
precipitation
The occurrence of any sudden, often unforeseen, event or action.
Submissive, impressionable, conflicted, fearful, obedient
Mercy Lewis!
Explain the following quote:
"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." (Pg. 7).
This quote is explaining how the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials was largely a response to social disruption - where individuals in society were deviating from the control of religious authority, seeking more individuality...which is a threat to authoritarians.
"Mr. Parris, I beg your pardon. I never thought you had so much iron in you."
Giles Corey
A person who is extremely violent and "uncivilized"
Barbarian
subversive
Intended to undermine or overthrow an established system, authority, or government.
Curious, outspoken, humorous, stubborn, inquisitive
Giles Corey