Elements of Drama
An uninterrupted speech given by one character.
What is a monologue?
A series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693.
What are the Salem witch trials?
In The Crucible, witchcraft is an allegory for this political practice that was gaining popularity in the 1950's.
What is communism?
"I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart! I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men! And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes?"
The character who says this quote.
Who is Abigail Williams?
The reason Abigail wants Elizabeth Proctor dead.
What is the affair?
A story with a double meaning.
What is an allegory?
The political repression and persecution of left-wing individuals and a campaign spreading fear of alleged communist and Soviet influence on American institutions and of Soviet espionage in the United States during the late 1940s through the 1950s. Also the main allegory for The Crucible.
What is McCarthyism?
In The Crucible, John Proctor is an allegory for this real-life playwright.
Who is Arthur Miller?
"Danforth: Indeed not, but it strike hard upon me that she will dare come here with such a tale. Now, Mr. Proctor, before I decide whether I shall hear you or not, it is my duty to tell you this. We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment."
This quote shows up in this act.
What is Act 3?
The thing Cheever finds in the Proctor household that proves Elizabeth Proctor is a witch.
What is a poppet?
Notes in parentheses or italics to give extra information to the actors.
What is stage directions?
The name of the Republican Senator who in the 1950's alleged that numerous communists and Soviet spies and sympathizers had infiltrated the United States federal government, universities, film industry, and elsewhere.
Who is Joseph McCarthy?
In the Crucible, Senator Joseph McCarthy is represented by this character. They're a power-hungry manipulator, doing everything they can to gain power in the village.
Who is Abigail Williams?
"Parris: I hope you do not mean we go to Satan here!
Rebecca: I wish I knew."
Is an example of this element of drama.
What is foreshadowing?
This character was pressed to death by stones instead of being hanged. This is due to the fact he wouldn't answer yes or no to his indictment.
Who is Giles Corey?
A character who is complex and undergo development, sometimes sufficiently to surprise the reader.
What is a dynamic character?
The author of The Crucible who was summoned by the HUAC and found guilty of contempt of Congress in May 1957. He was sentenced to a fine, a prison sentence, blacklisted, and disallowed a US passport.
Who is Arthur Miller?
The HUAC are represented within the Crucible by this singular judge who rules over most of the processions in Salem.
Who is Judge Danforth?
"Here is all the invisible world, caught, defined, and calculated. In these books the Devil stands stripped of all his brute disguises. Here are all your familiar spirits - your incubi and succubi; your witches that go by land, by air, and by sea; your wizards of the night and of the day. Have no fear now - we shall find him out if he has come among us, and I mean to crush him utterly if he has shown his face!"
This quote is said by this character.
Who is Reverend John Hale of Beverly?
The person who ultimately accuses John Proctor of witchcraft.
Who is Mary Warren?
The process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, appearance, or thoughts.
What is indirect characterization?
This committee of the U.S. House of Representatives was known for investigated allegations of communist activity in the U.S. during the early years of the Cold War.
What is the HUAC?
This character is an allegorical example of the kind of informants the HUAC used to accuse others of Communism.
Who is Mary Warren?
"Proctor: I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!"
This quote is an allegory for this practice of the HUAC.
What is blacklisting?
The thing John Proctor finds again within himself at the end of the play.
What is his goodness?