Events
Reverend Hale responds in this way to John Proctor's arrest.
What is denouncing the proceedings and quitting the court?
This character refuses to confess, confesses, then tears up his confession, thus submitting himself to death.
Who is John Proctor?
Hale: Why, it is all simple. I come to do the Devil’s work.
What is verbal irony?
This figurative language term describes Miller's purpose for setting The Crucible in 1692, which has a hidden meaning that was really about his own time (1950s).
What is an allegory?
Danforth declares that the people must be for the court or against it.
John Proctor does this in a desperate attempt to show Abigail as a selfish liar.
What is admitting to committing the sin of lechery with her?
This character is tested in court by being commanded to faint on command.
Who is Mary Warren?
That children in Salem effectively have more power than adults when it comes to finding who is guilty and who should be punished.
What is situational irony?
"Goody Proctor, I have gone this three month like our Lord into the wilderness." (not simile)
What is allusion?
Reverend Parris calls Giles Corey "contentious."
What is an ad hominem?
How do Abigail and the girls get Mary Warren to turn on John Proctor?
Abigail pretends to see the spirit of Mary Warren in the rafters as a bird, then the girls begin repeating whatever Mary says in order to suggest they are bewitched by her.
The main judge overseeing the Salem witch trials.
Who is Danforth?
Abigail is described as reaching out in "infinite charity" by the stage directions.
What is verbal irony?
Mary Warren describing John Proctor's eyes to be "like coals."
What is a simile?
Reverend Parris criticizing John Proctor's spotty church attendance instead of addressing how unreliable and dishonest Abigail and the other girls are.
What is a red herring?
Danforth responds to a petition signed by 91 members of the village supporting the accused women in this way.
What is ordering the signees arrest so each of them can be "examined?"
This normally talkative character dies from "pressing" after he refuses to answer questions about his supposed crimes.
Elizabeth Proctor lying in court about the reason she kicked Abigail out of her house.
What is dramatic and/or situational irony? (yes, both)
The title, The Crucible, literally meaning a container where metals are subjected to extremely high temperatures and, figuratively, a situation or trial of high pressure and intensity.
What is a metaphor?
The court taking Mary Warren's inability to faint on command to mean that when she did faint, it was because of witchcraft.
What is false causality?
The breakdown of society in Salem is shown by these occurrences. (at least 2)
What are crops rotting, cows wandering, a dagger in Parris's door, few people showing up to the reading of the excommunicated persons?
Besides the fact that he committed no crime, why is John Proctor reluctant to confess to Danforth, Hathorne, and the others? (2 reasons)
Preserve the dignity of his name and not implicate/endanger other members of the village.
Danforth: The pure in heart need no lawyers.
What is dramatic irony?
A type of character, symbol, or motif in art or literature that is copied over time in stories we see throughout history.
What is an archetype?
Danforth suggesting that those who quail (fear) being questioned by the court must be guilty.
What is hasty generalization?