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87 The Crucible Essay Topics & Examples

Looking for The Crucible essay examples? Arthur Miller’s play is worth writing about!

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The Crucible is a play by famous American playwright Arthur Miller that premiered in 1953 in NYC. It is based on a true story of the Salem witch trials that took place in the late 17th century.

In your The Crucible essay, you might want to make a literary analysis of the play. Another option is to focus on one of the themes or symbols used by Miller. Whether you need to write a short 5-paragraph essay or a longer argumentative paper on the play, this article will be helpful. It contains catchy titles, research questions, and essay topics for The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Free essay examples are added to inspire you even more.

• A. Miller’s “The Crucible” Play: Who Is to Blame? The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller in 1953, is a play focusing on the topic of the Salem witch of the last decade of the 1600s in Massachusetts.
• Analysis of the Movie The Crucible Arthur Miller’s play and movie was a reflection of what used to happen in the United States of America. It was a situation where reason was not used in the judicial system and people were […]
• Salem’s Puritans in “The Crucible” Play by Arthur Miller Parris is described as a man in his forties and the author adds that there is “very little good to be said for him”. The land is not very fertile and the town is surrounded […]
• Shakespeare’s “Othello” and Miller’s “The Crucible” The villains in both “Othello” and “The Crucible” are unique in their proficiency in the use of language for manipulating others and their ability to use the current setting for achieving their goals; Abigail is […]
• Arthur Miller: Hypocrisy, Guilt, Authority, and Hysteria in “The Crucible” The cruel persecution of minorities and the interference of the state in the individual’s conscience became the key concerns of Miller’s criticism of this people’s actions and beliefs.
• Goodness as a Central Theme of “The Crucible” In the play “The Crucible”, Artur Miller raises the topic of Salem witch accusations taking place in Massachusetts during the end of the seventeenth century.
• Informative Synthesis on Movie: The Crucible The writer of the play version of the film, Arthur Miller, takes charge of the screenplay while Nicholas Hytner is the director.
• “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller: Play Analysis The scenario calls for the need to investigate the villagers on issues pertaining to witchcraft, a take that finds many of them victims of the evil doing ready to be judged. First, the plot of […]
• Witches Against Corruption in Miller’s The Crucible Play Through their portrayal in the play, the accused witches have become powerful symbols of strength and resistance for women who want to take a stand against corruption and injustice.
• “The Crucible” by Arthur Williams John may be considered the protagonist of the play, however, the interrelation of the two main female characters of the play are, certainly, of great use for the development of the action and realization of […]
• Arthur Miller’s The Crucible: Unmasking Fear and Accusations Answer: Hale comes to Salem with the intention of finding concrete proof of witchcraft and using it to condemn the people guilty of the crime.
• John Hale’s Image in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller The book is concerned with the topic of witch trials taking place in the city of Salem, the Province of Massachusetts Bay, 1692-1693; it features a number of characters, some of whom depict the real […]
• “The Crucible” a Play by Arthur Miller In both cases, it can clearly be seen that it is fear that allows unreasonable and unlawful actions to continue under the guise of lawful actions that are for the common good.
• Literature as a Protest: The Lottery and The Crucible Thus, in the case of “the lottery” it can be seen that it is a form of protest against the practice of blindly following “tradition” without taking into consideration the full logic of the actions […]
• The Salem Witch Trials in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller Though Miller has made a range of changes to the original, the alterations did not prevent from understanding the case better; instead, these changes allowed for updating the story so that it would be interesting […]
• The Crucible (1996) by Nicholas Hytner Although Miller has never consented to the historical accuracy of the story, most of the events in the story match up with the occurrences in Salem, Massachusetts during the seventeenth century.
• The Crucible by Arthur Miller The plays interweaves Christ’s crucifixion with the picture of a bubbling crucible in it a man and a society: the predicament of arriving to the right choice of morality and the inevitability of attaining redemption […]
• The Madness of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Theme of Sacrifice in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller and “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorn
• The Society and the Individual in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
• The Social Breakdown That Allowed the Witch Hunt Paranoia in Salem in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
• The Victory of Morality Over Cowardice in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• Values and Morality in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Valuable Reasons of Abigail Williams in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Significance and Role of Abigail Williams and Tituba in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Witch Hearings in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Influence of the McCarthy Hearings of the 1950’s in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Use of Rhetorical Devices to Reveal Negative Correlation Between Power Truth, Justice, and Emotions in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Traits and Characteristics of John Proctor in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Unfair and Unkind Treatment of Women in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
• The Internal Battles of Mary Warren, John Proctor and Reverend Hale in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Symbolism of the Crucible as a Test for Salem in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The True Meaning of Tragedy in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Presentation of Abigail Williams in Act I of “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Tragic Fate of John Proctor in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Reasons Why People Stand Up for Justice in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller and “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
• The Sinful Confessions in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
• The Motivation of Abigail Williams to Protect Her Image and Interest in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Unreasonable Discrimination in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Theme of Justice Versus Retribution and Revenge in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Responibility of the Salem Community for the Tragedy in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• Weakness, Jealousy, and Manipulation in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• Vengeance and Malevolent Intent in a Corrupt World in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Materialistic and Controlling Characteristics of Reverend Parris in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Themes of Fear, Revenge and Greed, and Courage in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Sacrifices and Actions of Abigail for Love in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• What Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” Has to Offer to Modern Readers Globally
• The Historical Meaning and Universal Themes of the Love Triangle, Mass Hysteria, and the Judicial System in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Salem Witch Trials as an Outlet for Revenge in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
• The Three Stages of John Proctor’s Transformation in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Transformation of Abigail Williams in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Themes of Intolerance, Reputation, and Injustice in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Theme of Courage in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller and “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• John Proctor as a Fair and Noble Character in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Strength of Elizabeth as Shown Through Her Trials in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
• The Key Aspects of a Witch-Hunt in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller and Paradise Lost
• An Analysis of Social Status as a Significant Theme in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
• How Does Fear Motivate the Main Characters in “The Crucible”?
• What Was the Critical and Public Reaction to “The Crucible”?
• What Is the Main Story of “The Crucible”?
• What Were the Changes in John Proctor’s Character Throughout the Play “The Crucible”?
• Why Is “The Crucible” So Famous?
• How Does Arthur Miller Create Tension in the Trial Scene of “The Crucible”?
• What Is the True Meaning of “The Crucible”?
• How Does Miller Present the Character of John Proctor in “The Crucible”?
• How Does John Proctor Contribute to the Effectiveness of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”?
• What Are Some Examples of Mob Mentality in “The Crucible”?
• How Does Miller Create Dramatic Tension in the Four Acts of “The Crucible”?
• Does John Proctor Die in “The Crucible”?
• When Did the Witch Trials Take Place in “The Crucible”?
• How Does Miller Convey His Message Through “The Crucible”?
• Was Jon Proctor From Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” a Good Man?
• How Did Arthur Miller Portray the Relationship Between John and Elizabeth Proctor in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller?
• How Are Women Portrayed in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”?
• How Does Arthur Miller Show Abigail’s Character in “The Crucible”?
• Does Arthur Miller’s Play “The Crucible” End in Hope?
• How Easily People Can Be Fooled as Portrayed in Arthur Miller’s Play “The Crucible”?
• How Does Miller Present Social Status in “The Crucible”?
• Why Was John Proctor Convicted of Witchcraft in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”?
• How Miller Creates Conflict in “The Crucible”?
• How Does Arthur Miller Explore Social Injustice in His Play “The Crucible”?
• How Arthur Miller Effectively Illustrates the Strength of John Proctor in His Play “The Crucible”?
• How Arthur Miller Makes Act Three of “The Crucible” a Dramatic Scene?
• Why “The Crucible” Remains Important Today?
• What Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” Has to Offer to Modern Readers Globally?
• How Does Miller Present the Character of Abigail in “The Crucible”?
• How Does Miller Use Reverend Hale in “The Crucible”?
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The Crucible Act 1 Summary & Analysis

May 31, 2024

Published in 1953 as a critique of McCarthyism and the Red Scare , Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a nail-biting depiction of how paranoia leads to internecine violence. Even more crucially, the text illustrates the theocratic origins of modern American sexual mores. This article will provide a detailed summary and analysis of Act 1 of The Crucible . (If you’re looking for a movie version, I highly recommend Daniel Day-Lewis’s portrayal of John Proctor .)

All page numbers reference the 2015 edition of the text from Penguin Classics . 

Summary of The Crucible , Act One (An Overture) 

The play opens in the upstairs bedroom of Reverend Samuel Parris’ house. Parris is praying at the bedside of his daughter, Betty, who refuses to wake. Tituba, the woman enslaved to Parris, comes in to check on Betty. Parris yells at her to leave and continues to pray. Abigail, Parris’ niece, comes in to announce Susanna Walcott, a messenger from Doctor Griggs. Susanna tells Parris that Doctor Griggs can find no physical cause for Betty’s sickness. The tension mounts when Susanna tells him that Doctor Griggs suggested that he “might look to unnatural things for the cause of [Betty’s illness]” (18). Parris refuses to accept this and tells Susanna to go straight home and say nothing of “unnatural causes.” 

Abigail tells her uncle that rumors of witchcraft are already spreading – there’s a crowd already downstairs in the parlor. Parris then shocks the reader by asking if he should tell the assembled crowd that he saw Abigail on Betty “dancing like heathen in the forest” (19) Abigail admits to dancing with Betty, but claims that that was all they did. Parris is skeptical and presses Abigail to admit what she has done. He adds that he has enemies in the community and that they will use any rumor of impropriety to drive him out of town. Parris then tells Abigail that he saw Tituba waving her arms and “screeching” in some “gibberish.” He adds that he thought saw someone running naked through the trees. Abigail steadfastly claims that they only danced – Tituba was merely singing “Barbados songs.” 

The Crucible Act 1 Summary & Analysis (Continued)

Witchcraft is only one of Parris’ concerns. He asks Abigail whether her reputation in the town is “entirely white.” Parris is concerned because seven months previous, Abigail was dismissed from the service of the Proctor’s home. Since then, no one has engaged Abigail in their house. Furthermore, Parris has heard Goody Proctor call Abigail “soiled.” Abigail becomes enraged and claims that Goody Proctor and the other women want slaves, not servants. She ends her tirade by calling Goody Proctor a “gossiping liar.” 

It’s worth pausing here to examine the intersection of witchcraft and sexuality. Parris’ primary concern is certainly witchcraft, but he’s also worried about the sexual purity of his niece, Abigail. These two themes are inextricably linked in The Crucible . Any deviation from the sexual mores of the time risks accusations of witchcraft. At the same time, sexual guilt drives people to accuse women of witchcraft. As Miller writes in his secondary narration, sexual sin functions as a fundamental mode of discipline in most societies (40). 

Goody Putnam enters and immediately asks “How high did she [Betty] fly? (21). Mr. Putnam joins them and says that their daughter Ruth is sick as well, adding, “her soul is taken, surely” (22). We find out from Mr. Putnam that Parris has called for Reverend Hale, an expert in “all demonic arts,” though Parris asks that Mr. Putnam, “leap not to witchcraft.” 

Summary (Continued)

Putnam will not be swayed. (Understandably, as the stage directions indicate that Mr. Putnam has “only contempt” for Parris. (23)) We then hear from Goody Putnam that she sent her daughter (Ruth) to Tituba to conjure the spirits of her seven dead siblings (they all died in childbirth). Though she knows it is a sin to conjure the dead, Goody Putnam believes that Ruth now knows who killed her siblings. Furthermore, she takes Ruth’s silence as evidence that some witchery is covering up the evidence. When Parris turns to Abigail for confirmation, Abigail throws Tituba and Ruth under the bus, saying that they were the ones conjuring spirits. Mercy Lewis, the Putnam’s servant, comes into the room to see Betty. Mr. Putnam gets Parris to go down to the assembled crowd and lead them in a psalm.

Then the s*** hits the fan. Now that Abigail, Mercy, and Betty are alone, they begin to speak freely. It turns out that Mercy was with Abigail, Betty, and Ruth in the forest. What’s more, Mercy was the one running naked through the trees. Abigail tells them what she told her uncle so they can keep their story straight. Mary Warren (described as “subservient, naive, lonely”) joins them in the bedroom. Mary was with them in the forest as well – Mercy thinks Mary’s ready to snitch. 

Betty rouses briefly and makes for the window to fly. Abigail tries to soothe her, to no avail. To everyone’s shock, Betty reveals that Abigail drank blood to kill John Proctor’s wife. At this revelation, Abigail “smashes her across the face.” Betty collapses back into bed and Abigail turns to Mary and Mercy. Abigail then delivers one of the scariest threats I’ve ever read, telling them that if they breathe a word, she “will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.” Their conversation comes to an end when John Proctor enters the room. 

A momentary aside: It could rightly be claimed that all the chaos of the play, all the accusations, and all the deaths stem from John and Abigail’s illicit sexual relationship. At the same time, I want to foreground Abigail’s shortage of options and her lack of agency in this society. As a woman in a patriarchal theocracy, Abigail’s social mobility is contingent on her reproductive agency, an agency that can only be utilized through marriage. Once Abigail is “soiled” by John, her agency disappears. Her only option is to become his wife – a desire which leads to her drink blood in an attempt to kill John’s wife.

If it wasn’t already clear, John and Abigail had some sort of sexual relation while she was working in the Proctor house. When John arrives, Abigail flirts with him, hoping to rekindle their relationship. John rebukes her, saying that he “will cut off my hand before I ever reach for you again” (29). Just as John attempts to leave, the crowd downstairs can be heard singing “going up to Jesus.” At this moment, Betty begins to wail – her father, the Putnams, and Mercy rush to the room. Believing that Betty can no longer stand to hear the Lord’s name, Parris and the Putnams start to freak out. Rebecca Nurse (early seventies, white-haired) enters and walks over to Betty, who calms at her presence. 

Astonished, Parris and the Putnams ask Rebecca what she’s done. Rebecca replies that all children go through their “silly seasons” – the best thing is to wait and let them tire of it. She chides Parris for going in search of “loose spirits” – John voices his agreement. Mr. Putnam orders Parris to look for witchcraft – John protests. Putnam remarks that it’s strange John cares so much when he doesn’t bother coming to church. John says he doesn’t care for the content of Parris’ sermons – too much “hellfire and bloody damnation.” This is John’s mistake. 

Parris now turns on John. He complains about his salary and his lack of firewood. John counters, pointing out that Parris is the first minister to demand the deed to the house. Enraged, Parris declares that “There is obedience or the church will burn like Hell is burning” (35). Parris then suggests that John leads a “faction and a party” against Parris and all authority. John responds that he “like[s] not the smell of this ‘authority’” (35). Proctor spars with Putnam over the border of his land before he starts to leave.

As Proctor leaves, Reverend John Hale (expert on all demonic arts) arrives. Putnam and Parris start to list out symptoms of witchcraft before Hale stops them, saying, “We cannot look to superstition in this…The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone” (41). Parris tells of seeing Abigail dancing, Mrs. Putnam of conjuring the spirits of her seven dead babies. Hale notes it all and says that he “mean[s] to crush [the Devil] utterly” (42). At this development, Rebecca leaves with a note of resignation in her voice. 

Hale begins to question Betty. When she fails to answer, he turns to Abigail. Abigail throws Tituba under the bus, claiming that Tituba tried to get her to drink some sort of Devil’s soup. When they call for Tituba, Abigail says Tituba made her drink blood. When Tituba starts to tell Hale about the charm (against Elizabeth Proctor) Abigail escalates her accusations, claiming that Tituba sends her spirit at night to make her do all sorts of things. Tituba denies it but Hale is unconvinced and orders her to free Betty. Parris threatens to whip her to death – Putnam says she should be hanged. 

At this point, Tituba is in a bind. She can no longer deny doing something – Abigail has seen to that. If she doesn’t want to be hanged as a witch, she has to say that the Devil came to her and she rejected him. Consequently, when Hale asks if the Devil came to her “with another person,” Tituba knows that she has to start naming names if she’s going to save herself. Tituba claims that the Devil told her to kill Parris numerous times. Even more significantly, she says she saw Goody Good and Goody Osburn with the Devil.

The die is cast. Abigail now sees a way out for herself. Tituba has saved herself by claiming to have seen other women with the Devil. Abigail now pursues the same strategy, claiming “I want to open myself…I go back to Jesus; I kiss his hand” (49). Betty gets in on the act. Between the two, they name Bridget Bishop, George Jacobs, Goody Howe, Martha Bellows, Goody Sibber, Alice Barrow, Goody Hawkins, Goody Bibber, and Goody Booth. 

The Crucible Act 1 Summary & Analysis – Wrapping Up

Miller calls Act one of The Crucible “An Overture,” in that it introduces the themes and concerns that will play out over the course of the play. Act one presents the anxieties – sexual, supernatural, gender, and economic – that will destroy the lives of the people of Salem. 

If you’ve enjoyed this article, I’ve also written on 1984 , The Great Gatsby , Hamlet , and Brave New World . 

Additional Resources

• AP Lit Reading List – 50 Best Books to Read
• 50 Common Idioms
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Devon Wootten

Devon holds a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing & International Relations, an MFA in Poetry, and a PhD in Comparative Literature. For nearly a decade, he served as an assistant professor in the First-Year Seminar Program at Whitman College. Devon is a former Fulbright Scholar as well as a Writing & Composition Instructor of Record at the University of Iowa and Poetry Instructor of Record at the University of Montana. Most recently, Devon’s work has been published in Fugue , Bennington Review , and TYPO , among others. 

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The Crucible

By arthur miller, the crucible essay questions.

The Crucible is famous as a political allegory, but what exactly is Miller trying to say? Who do you think is being most criticized in the contemporary analogy?

Miller was particularly offended by those who "named names" before HUAC, and he himself refused to do so. While the Crucible indeed villainized the prosecutors and Court – those in the parallel positions of Joe McCarthy and HUAC – the play martyrs Corey and Proctor for refusing to do so. At the expense of their own lives, Corey and Proctor refused to condemn others, and in Miller's eyes this is the only truly moral decision.

The Crucible features a significant reversal of social roles in the Salem community. Choose a character whose position of power is upended and analyze the development of their role in the town and in the narrative. Can you make any observations about gender in this process?

The witch trials greatly increased the power and agency of otherwise lowly women like Tituba and Abigail, while bringing down more respected community members like Rebecca Nurse and Elizabeth. The position of men remained more stable – they were always in charge, and even if some of them were executed for witchcraft they would always control the positions of highest authority.

What is the role of gossip in the trials? How does Miller use gossip to implicate the whole town in the events of the witch trials?

Clearly the trials are begun by the wagging of tongues after the girls are found in the woods, but gossip certainly has a more enduring role. Reputations in Salem are made or broken based on slander and rumor, and reputation was a man's only defense against accusation – and even that often failed to correct aspersions. But gossip also proves to be a destructive force even in the hands of the good and unwitting, taking on a life of its own – Giles Corey, for instance, condemns his own wife simply by a slip of the tongue.

Miller makes some significant changes to the historical events for the play – most noticeably, he raises Abigail's age from 11 to 19, and invents an affair between her and Proctor. What purpose does this serve?

The affair is a dramatic device. It provides motive for Abigail's accusation of Elizabeth, and complicates the relationship between the Proctors. By raising Abigail's age and giving her motives of revenge, Miller can complicate the characterization of what would otherwise be a tale-telling little girl, without compromising her villainy.

Clearly, Proctor is the protagonist of the play, dominating three of the four acts. What begins as an ensemble rendering of the town's drama ends in an examination of a decision by one man, the focus gradually narrowed over the course of the play. How does Miller make this 17th century farmer into a character capable of holding our interest and sympathies for two hours?

Proctor is developed as a "modern" figure in the play. He is resistant to authority, rebelling against both the church and the state. He sees through humbug and shouts it down. Moreover, he has a complicated relationship with his wife, and is flawed but in an understandable way. He is independent minded, and struggles against the conformity of Salem that is so like 1950s America. In short, he's like every other hero rebel – the same man in so many movies in stories, just realized this time in 17th century Salem.

What started the Salem witch trials? In their contemporary parallel of the red scare, we know that there really were Communists. But in 17th century Salem, there was no true witchcraft. So how did this thing start, and what does Miller have to say about its origins?

A major point of the play is that the witch trials were not truly started by any event or scandal – the discovery of the girls dancing in the woods was merely a tipping point, not the true origin. Miller is steadfast in his belief that the social structure of Salem is what caused the witch hunt and allowed it to accelerate. If it hadn't been Betty Paris falling sick after dancing in the woods, it would have been something else.

Act One is punctuated by prose passages in which Miller details the background of Salem and the characters. However, this background mixes facts from the historical record with the changes Miller made for dramatic reasons. What do you think of this?

Because the prose passages are contained within a fictionalized dramatic work, a reader should be aware that the passages are subject to the limitations of the form. However, Miller speaks with the voice of a historian in these passages, not with the voice of a playwright, and gives no indication that what he says is less than historical fact. Indeed, it is a slightly worrisome idea – a play about a man who died for the truth is so free with its own truths.

What is the function of Reverend Hale in the narrative?

Reverend Hale is an interesting and well-developed minor character. He serves the dramatic function of an outsider, aiding in exposition in the first act even as his presence catalyzes the witch trials. But in the third act, he begins to question the trials, and by the fourth act has renounced them completely and is actively working against them. Hale shows that the ministry and the courts need not all be evil, but that it is possible to realize the error of one's own ways and work to fix their effects.

Mary Warren is a bit of a cipher – we see her only as a pawn of Abigail, and then of Proctor, and then again of Abigail. Do we learn anything about the "real" Mary Warren?

Mary Warren is a particularly undeveloped character in the narrative, who functions largely as a plot device. We know that she is a weak-willed and terrified girl, who is easily manipulated by people stronger than herself. Abigail and Proctor are the ones who manipulate her, both threatening her with violence and vengeance, which draws a lucid connection between those two. Mary wants to be good, but she lacks the ability to see clearly where this good choice lies.

Are the judges evil? Be sure to define what you mean by "evil" in your answer.

This is a deceptively simple question. Miller believed that the judges in the witch trials were purely evil, and has stated that if he were to rewrite the play, he would make them less human and more obviously and thoroughly evil. But is evil a function of the will, or a failure of reason? These men did not set out to do evil – they legitimately saw themselves as doing God's work. Is it evil to be wrong? Arguably, the Putnams are the most evil characters in Miller's interpretation of the events, as they both support the trials and clearly are aware of the falsity of the charges.

The Crucible Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Crucible is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

The Crucible, Act 2

1) Proctor believe the girls to be liars and tells Hale how Abigail said Parris discovered the girls sporting in the woods. Hale claims that it is nonsense, as so many have confessed, but Proctor says that anyone would confess if they will be...

As the act opens, who is being interrogated, and on what charge?

In the beginning of Act III, Martha Corey is being interrogated on charges of witchcraft.

why does reverend parris send for reverend hale?

Because Reverend Hale is an intelligent man who has studied witchcraft extensively.

Study Guide for The Crucible

The Crucible is a play by Arthur Miller. The Crucible study guide contains a biography of Arthur Miller, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Crucible
• The Crucible Summary
• Character List

Essays for The Crucible

The Crucible essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Crucible by Arthur Miller.

• Conformity, Imbalance of Power, and Social Injustice
• Sins and Ambitions
• The Stream of Conscience in Arthur Miller's The Crucible
• The Crucible as an Allegory
• Contemporary Events Leading to The Crucible

Lesson Plan for The Crucible

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Crucible
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Crucible Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Crucible

• Introduction
• Characters (in order of appearance)
• Notable casts
• Originality

Themes and Analysis

The crucible, by arthur miller.

Through 'The Crucible,' Miller explores several important themes, such as the power of fear and superstition and the dangers of religious extremism.

Article written by Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

Arthur Miller’s ‘ The Crucible ‘ is one of the most powerful and poignant plays ever written . Set in the Puritan town of Salem during the 1690s, the play focuses on a series of trials that ultimately reveal the dangers of fear and ignorance. The play is filled with important symbols and themes that drive the narrative, many of which are highly relatable, even today.

The Corruption of Power

In the story of ‘ The Crucible ,’ power corrupts absolutely. In the village of Salem, the court proceedings are directed by those in authority, such as Reverend Parris and Deputy Governor Danforth. They misuse their power to further their own personal agendas, leading to false accusations and wrongful executions. The corruption of power serves as a warning against allowing authority figures to control everyday life without consequence.

The Dangers of Hysteria

‘ The Crucible ‘ demonstrates how quickly hysteria can spread and affect a community. With the accusations of witchcraft, fear and paranoia spread like wildfire among the citizens of Salem. This leads to even more accusations and further isolation of those thought to be guilty. The play warns readers against succumbing to hysteria and shows the real danger it can pose when left unchecked; this relates directly to McCarthyism in the 1950s in the United States.

Ignorance and Intolerance

Many of the characters in ‘ The Crucible ‘ are ignorant and intolerant of others, especially those they view as outsiders. This is demonstrated through the character of Reverend Parris, who is deeply suspicious of anyone who is different or opposes him. Similarly, intolerance is shown when those accused of witchcraft are assumed to be guilty despite a lack of evidence. The play emphasizes the need for tolerance and understanding in order to prevent further strife.

Key Moments

• Reverend Parris discovers his daughter and niece dancing in the woods with Tituba, his slave, and other girls from the village. Betty falls into a coma.
• Parris questions the girls about witchcraft.
• It’s revealed that Abigail had an affair with her former employer John Proctor. She still wants to be with him.
• Betty wakes up screaming.
• Tituba confesses to witchcraft. Abigail joins her.
• Abigail and the other girls begin to accuse various citizens of Salem of witchcraft.
• Mary Warren, now a court official, testifies against John Proctor in court. 
• Elizabeth urges John to go to town and convince them that Abigail is not telling the truth. She is suspicious of their relationship.
• Mary gives Elizabeth a poppet.
• John is questioned by Reverend Hale.
• The town marshal arrests Elizabeth and finds the poppet, which has a needle in it.
• Mary admits she made the poppet in court, and Elizabeth claims she’s pregnant.
• The girls start screaming in court, saying that Mary is sending her spirit to them.
• Elizabeth convinces John to admit to witchcraft.
• John Proctor signs a confession but then rips it up before it can be used as evidence against him. 
• John Proctor is put to death after refusing to lie about being a witch.

Tone and Style

The tone of Arthur Miller’s ‘ The Crucible ‘ is serious and intense due to the subject matter of the Salem Witch Trials. Miller captures a sense of urgency and fear that pervaded the small town of Salem at the time, which amplifies the drama and tension between the characters. This serves as a reminder of the underlying paranoia that can quickly infect a community.

The writing style of Miller’s play is direct and succinct. Miller deliberately focuses on dialogue and action, allowing for a natural flow to the story as it unfolds. He also uses strong language to draw attention to the ways in which fear and paranoia can lead to injustice. Through this approach, Miller effectively conveys the consequences of these events. In part, this is due to the format of the story. It’s a drama, meaning that it is almost entirely composed of only dialogue.

Witchcraft is the most obvious symbol in ‘ The Crucible ‘, representing the fear and paranoia of the characters during the Salem Witch Trials. Miller uses it to reflect the rampant hysteria of the time and how quickly false accusations spread throughout Salem. Witchcraft can also be seen as a metaphor for the powerlessness of individuals in the face of a repressive and superstitious society. 

Proctor’s House

John Proctor’s house serves as a symbol of both the struggles and the strength of his marriage to Elizabeth. It is not only a physical representation of their relationship but also an example of their commitment to one another. As their relationship unravels, so does their home, until it is eventually burned down by the townspeople. This symbolizes the breakdown of their marriage and the ultimate downfall of their relationship. 

The forest is a symbol of freedom in ‘ The Crucible .’ It represents the escape from repression, control, and oppression in Salem. By venturing out into the woods, characters like Tituba, Abigail, and Parris are able to reject societal norms and restrictions, allowing them to find their own paths. It is also a sign of hope for those who are struggling against the unjust and oppressive nature of Salem society.

What is the most important theme in The Crucible by Arthur Miller?

The most important theme in “The Crucible” is the power of public opinion and hysteria. It demonstrates how an environment of fear and superstition can be manipulated to create a situation of paranoia and distrust. 

Why is The Crucible by Arthur Miller important?

‘ The Crucible ‘ is important because it explores themes of morality, justice, and personal responsibility. It also examines the effects of unchecked hysteria and paranoia on individuals and society as a whole.

Why did Arthur Miller write The Crucible ?

Arthur Miller wrote ‘ The Crucible ‘ as a metaphor for McCarthyism, which was a period of intense anti-communist sentiment in the United States during the 1950s. He wanted to illustrate how similar events could happen again if unchecked fear and paranoia were allowed to spread.

Who are some of the main characters in The Crucible ?

Some of the main characters in The Crucible include John Proctor, Abigail Williams, Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Parris, Reverend Hale, and Judge Danforth.

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The Crucible Essay: Example and Tips

The Crucible is one of the most popular books for literature analysis and evaluative essays among teachers and students. Students like it for small volume, interesting plot and fascinating topic. This book can’t leave the reader indifferent, it brings lots of emotions. The task of the reviewer is to express his emotions and views after reading this work.

• 1 How to write The Crucible essay
• 2 Examples of topics for The Crucible essay
• 3.3 Conclusion
• 4 How to finish work on writing The Crucible essay

How to write The Crucible essay

Getting down to work on writing an essay on The Crucible, the author needs to imagine and realize the work he is about to do. First of all, it is crucial to read the book and di it attentively. It is not enough to read a short version, if you want to read a good evaluative essay. Do not neglect this rule, otherwise the reader would feel that you are not fully aware of the topic you are writing about.

It may also be useful to read several literature reviews and analysis of this literature work. But try to form your personal attitude to the book, do not still ideas. If you are afraid to be influenced by others, be more independent and avoid even discussions of the play with others.

It might be a good idea to quote a phrase from the book The Crucible at the beginning. Choose the phrase that impressed you the most or the one, which characterizes the book the best way.

Evaluative essay on a book is very similar to literature review. Read the rules and tips for writing. Follow the rules but be creative. If you want to interest the reader and catch his attention, you need to write something new and unexpected.

Examples of topics for The Crucible essay

• Plot and protagonists of The Crucible
• Tragedy in The Crucible
• Literature tools of Arthur Miller in The Crucible
• Betrayal, fear and hope in The Crucible

The Crucible essay example

“Twelve people have already been executed, your Reverence. It would be unfair to them if I now forgive the rest.”

The glorious city of Salem in the late 17th century falls into the paws of mass insanity. Provincial passions become an event of almost a global scale. Arthur Miller, the author of The Crucible presents his version of the events of the day. We talk, of course, about the hunt for witches. Jealousy starts a terrible process, quickly destroying the life of a small Puritan town. Write denunciations – for a sweet soul. Construct an interrogation so as to dislodge any confession? It’s easy, because you just do not admit it on pain of death. The principle of existence “you are not with us – you are against us” is thriving. And this is only a small part of the horrors described in the short play “The crucible”.

And now you are living in the 21st century and you think: there is progress in the development of mankind. We have left from “we will accuse the person of a crime without any proofs on hands”. Justice has become better seen. Pluralism of opinions, social movements of different directions and all that. Well, at least in the sometimes and in some places. And then you open the news. Some details have changed, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction, but the general impression is that we have not progressed anywhere. Or, solving one problem, we get two new ones, and so on ad infinitum? Quite often the case is erroneous, and only analogies are generally risky. But the similarity to the then “witch-hunt” and today’s day can not fail to notice.

I often write out quotes from books. Sometimes it’s a few words, sometimes quite impressive pieces of text. Reading The Crucible, I constantly caught myself thinking that I would like to write out almost every sentence. Just take and rewrite the whole play in a notebook. Author’s notes and explanations deserve a special ode. A pair of surgically accurate words or sentences, and from under the pen of Miller comes an absolutely living and tangible character.

Here is Mr. Parris or a couple of Pathnames. Greedy, unpleasant and fat creatures.

Here is Abigail Williams. Undoubtedly, a strong personality, capable and suppress, and persuade, and lead, and kneaded terrible dough on the lees of unhealthy teenage love and revenge.

The families of Ners and Corey. Mental, quarrelsome, funny, easily recognizable characters of the quiet life of any small provincial town.

Mr. Hale. He appeared in Salem with the firm intention of sowing the rational-good-eternal, and so vividly illustrated the proverb about good intentions and the road to hell.

John and Elizabeth Proctors. People who fully knew the hopelessness of perfect betrayal, when no remorse will return the former warmth and trust to the relationship.

No matter how you lock the dark past, it will always find out when and from what slot to jump out to again shake the steady balance. And the feeling of guilt that degenerates into pain and anger at the fact that she can not find the strength to forgive until the end. It is difficult, and at the same time you want to believe in the existence of such a conjugal love that was able to leave betrayal behind, and, according to certain wisdom, accept what can not already be changed and fight for what it is worth fighting for. For the soul. For an honest name, which you are proud to leave to your sons.

The frost rips through the skin, when you realize that the madness that happened more than three hundred years ago is not the fruit of the author’s imagination (although the result of literary processing), but the reality that has struck ordinary people from flesh and blood. Even in these not very stable and good times, it is difficult to believe in the possibility of such events. Probably, the unfortunate inhabitants of Salem also could not believe until the very end.

The Crucible is a heavy work for reading. It’s not just the topic of the so-called “witch hunt” that is touched upon in it. And not only in its correspondence to the real events that took place in Salem in 1692. The fact is that it is written in such a way that it strikes the consciousness by the prevailing / established ideas about what true faith and disbelief are, how to act by faith. Miller’s play simply turns these ideas upside down, turns inside out, and finally just turns them to dust.

The consequences of human acts can be very tragic. So can we say that this color (black, white or white) is unquestionably authentic? No. Hence, it is not important at all. And the truth is not in color. The truth, therefore, is somewhere in the middle – just where there is something that is more important than all colors and shades: human life. Life is God’s most precious gift; no matter how glorious it is, nothing can justify taking it. And for some, this truth is an honor and unspotted by false confessions (in not performed by them deeds) the name preserved in a pure, primordial form for themselves, first of all honor and name is not something that colors and shades, but even the very life is more valuable. For John Proctor, for example. For Rebecca. They did not stand by the price. And they received a reward for eternity. And, of course, a sense of fulfilled Christian duty. Before the conscience. And, of course, before the Supreme Court, but not before the human, which does not distinguish colors and shades, but punishes and brandes indiscriminately.

A multifaceted and complex work The Crucible based on historical events is striking in its frankness. Human vices are exposed, the person is depicted as he really is, without masks. Miller raised important and eternal questions of trust, lies, betrayal, selfishness. Dark hopelessness and injustice pervades the whole work, it is impossible to remain indifferent. Hundreds of prisoners, dozens of executions through hanging. What is it, obsession? Insanity of the judges?

The terrible times were when the truth was on the side of those who shouted more convincingly and loudly, and justice was reduced to the formula “confess or be executed”, “name names or you will be hanged”, “you are either for this court or against it, the third is not given.” The choice among the people was small – to save their lives by ruining others, and sometimes they did it deliberately for the sake of profit. Indeed, the possessed were in the role of judges.

Even for a moment, I do not doubt that at that time the courts passed exactly as Miller described. Fantasy is not able to draw something more inadequate, and if the courts are not so, then there would be no horror like that.

In Salem, it all began with the strange behavior of a teenage girl, which is why they suspected that she was possessed by an evil spirit. The plot line of the play shows that the revenge of a rejected woman can be truly insane. Abigail Williams accused half the city of worshiping the evil forces, well aware of the consequences for everyone, and only to return the man, John Proctor, who once was seduced by her betraying his wife, which he later regretted. In the center of the book, there are two strong female images: one woman at the cost of dozens of other people’s lives wants to return the man, the other – at the cost of her life trying to save a man. The central male image – John Proctor – is complex and can be the subject of a long discussion.

These events would be a theater of the absurd, if meaningless executions did not occur in reality. What is happening is so terrible that it is impossible even to imagine that this was actually happening, that people could do that. And this happened not only in the Salem, it was not the only court, but church apologized not for every court. And no matter how much time has passed, what level of education or faith we have reached, centuries, fashion and customs change, but does the person really change?

How to finish work on writing The Crucible essay

Here comes the stage of checking and editing The Crucible paper. If you have several extra days, leave this work for later and come back to it with a fresh head.

If you do not have time at all and you are not sure in your own knowledge, you might want to use online service for correcting mistakes. Such a service will allow to check the literacy of the text. Checking for errors online will help to find mistakes and typos in the text. It is useful when analyzing any text, if you want to check its quality and find any errors. If you have problems with punctuation, rather than spelling, evaluate the possibility of checking for commas. The service will point to problematic areas where unnecessary or missing punctuation marks have been found, for example, several consecutive commas or unpaired parentheses.

Another possibility for a check is to ask someone to read your paper about The Crucible. This choice has both advantages and disadvantages. The person might miss mistakes because of lack of knowledge. But on the other hand, he or she will also check the text for logics and sense.

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The Crucible Essay: Structure and Interesting Topics

• May 21, 2020
• Posted by: admin
• Category: Blog ,

Have you read the “Crucible” by Arthur Miller and now need to share your thoughts in the written form? The Crucible essay is often assigned to students of different educational establishments because it is considered a masterpiece of the American literature. Even though this piece of literature was written a long time ago, it is still actual. There are a play and a movie made on the story that is based on the real events.

Have you been assigned to write an essay about the Crucible or did you choose this work of literature on your own? In any case, you should understand that it is not enough to read the work and tell whether you liked it or not. You should provide an in-depth analysis of the content if you want to get a high score for your assignment. Do you wonder how to make the essay on the work of A. Miller worth an A-grade? You are welcome to have a look at the most useful tips for composing a high-quality academic paper.

Essay on the Crucible: Tips on How to Succeed with It

Usually, after reading or watching the Crucible, students have very controversial feelings. It is difficult to gather all thoughts into one coherent work if you are unaware of the standard rules for essay writing. The Crucible isn't a simple work. You should be ready to spend much time reading between the lines and trying to answer the major question: “What did the author want to say with the help of this story?” If you manage to find the answer, you will enjoy the guaranteed success. Before you get started with your paper writing, check the simple tips below:

• Choose a scene that impressed you most: You are recommended to think which scene was the most interesting for you while reading and reread it. Concentrate on the main idea of this episode and try to understand what exactly caused your interest.
• Pick an impressive topic for your essay: The key to the essay on the Crucible success is the well-chosen topic. Think of an intriguing title for your Crucible paper for your reader to wonder what you are going to write in the essay.
• Make sure that everything is clear in the Crucible play: Before writing an essay, you are supposed to read it for several times, perhaps, watch a movie, analyze the work, and only then start expressing your ideas.
• Structure your essay the right way: You should stick to the common 5-6 paragraph structure when writing this kind of assignment. If you have no idea on what to include in the Crucible essay, then don't lose a great opportunity to check the tips for essay structuring below.

The Crucible Essay Introduction: How to Start?

Every student knows how important it is to catch the attention of the reader from the very first sentences. That is a must if you want your reader to have a wish to hold on reading. The best way to start the Crucible essay is to ask a question that will contain some intrigue or find some facts from the author's biography, which motivated him to write this play. There are many ways to write the Crucible essay introduction, among which the simplest one but very effective is to use a quote from the literary work that would reflect the main idea of the entire story.

The Crucible Essay Body: What to Include?

The Crucible essay body should consist of 3-4 paragraphs where you are expected to include a summary of the work. Then, you need to choose those scenes, which you find the most important and discuss them. Start each new thought with a new paragraph. Explain what problems the author wanted to draw the reader's attention to. Explain what makes the story of Salem witches so interesting for the modern reader.

Describe the role of Abigail Williams in the Crucible essay. Share your thoughts about the two storylines in the play, one of which is devoted to the witches while another one is about the trial organized by the Senator. Research what happened in reality and what was invented by the author. Present your ideas logically and be able to provide evidence for each thought.

The Crucible Essay Conclusion: How to Make It Unforgettable?

The final step you should take is to write the conclusion paragraph for the Crucible essay. This part should include a summary of the ideas that have already been discussed in the main body. Make it clear for the reader what you think about the play written by Miller. Share your thoughts on whether it has impressed you or not, whether you consider this work success or a failure, and why. Write a powerful essay conclusion so that the reader has a clear picture of why he/she should read the Crucible and what makes it actual up to this day.

10 the Crucible Essay Topics to Impress the Reader

Check the excellent essay topics for the Crucible:

• Describe the process of trial in Salem.
• How did everything start?
• Were the women real witches or they were innocent?
• How did the play of Miller contribute to the American literature?
• Why is the witch trial so much spoken about even today?
• What would you recommend: to read a book or to watch a movie the Crucible?
• Tell about the best and the worst scene of the play?
• Analyze the end of the story.
• What did so many people die for?
• Is the Crucible a good example of the mass paranoia?

The Crucible Essay Outline Sample

Use the Crucible essay outline and the tips on how to structure essays when composing your own academic assignment:

• Introduction
• The background information about the appearance of the play the Crucible.
• Some facts from the author's biography.
• A brief presentation of the main points.
• A thesis statement.
• The Main Body
• Tell about the two storylines: 1. the trial, 2. the activity of the Senator Maccartney.
• Conduct an in-depth analysis of the trial and the behavior of the main characters.
• Write about the accusations and your opinion whether they were logical or not.
• The Conclusion
• Restate your thesis statement.
• Summarize major ideas.
• Explain to the reader how your reader can be helpful for others.

Follow these extensive and useful guidelines from our experts who work at dissertation writing services — and your essay will be unforgettable for your professor!

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Higher English > The Crucible Critical Essay Introductions and Conclusions > Flashcards

The Crucible Critical Essay Introductions and Conclusions Flashcards

What is the summary of the play?

Set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, the play focuses on the protagonist John Proctor as he struggles to overcome his past transgressions, prior to the play, when he committed adultery with Abigail Williams which subsequently controls and influences the outcome of the play. Abigail charges various citizens of practising witchcraft, leading to Proctor’s death.

What is the introduction to the play for the question - Choose a play in which there is a central character brings about his or her downfall because of a weakness within their character.

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ explores a character who possess a significant weakness. John Proctor, the antagonist, is unwilling to forgive himself after committing adultery with Abigail Williams. It is this inability to forgive himself that prevents him from revealing Abigail’s lies before they gather momentum and ultimately lead to his downfall in the play’s denouement.

What is the introduction to the play for the question - For a play you have studied, choose a scene in which a character is forced to face up to the truth about himself/herself?

Arthur Millers ‘The Crucible’ is a play where a character is forced to face up to the truth about themselves. John Proctor is a crucial character in the play who’s actions influence the outcome of everyone else. John’s struggles and worries of his tainted past are clearly shown throughout the play. Only through the personal sacrifice and matyrdrom can the constraints of Salem’s society be broken

What is the sentence for the techniques to convey the ideas in the play?

Through the use of characterisation, key scene and dialogue Arthur Miller successfully conveys/demonstrates and refer back to question.

What is the introduction to the play for a question about setting?

Arthur Miller’s the crucible is a play that makes use of setting to make the main ideas of the play more comprehensible and believable. After accusations of witchcraft, hysteria breaks out in Salem. Only through the use of setting can the main ideas be conveyed to the reader and the outcome of the play be explained.

What is the introduction to the play for a question on choose a play in which a central character struggles to cope with social convention or financial difficulties or family duties?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ contains a central character who struggles to cope with social convention. The protagonist John Proctor, is unwilling to forgive himself after committing adultery - an act frowned upon by the Puritan community. It is his inability to forgive himself and need for self preservation that subsequently controls and influences the outcome of the play, resulting in Proctors death.

What is the introduction for choose a play in which the concluding scene provides effective clarification of the central concerns?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘ The Crucible ‘ concludes with a scene that provides effective clarification of the central concerns in the play. The protagonist John Proctor, is unwilling to forgive himself for committing adultery with Abigail Williams. Proctors need for self preservation and unwillingness to forgive himself influence the outcome of the play and result in his death in the denouement of the play.

What is the introduction for choose a play in which the conflict between two characters is an important feature?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ explores a conflict between two important characters which influence the outcome of the play. John Proctor ,the protagonist, is tortured and weighed down by the guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Due to this, Proctor life is influenced by Abigail who is ultimately the cause of his death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play which focuses on a relationship which is destructive or is in crisis?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ focuses on a relationship which is destructive. The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, ultimately leading to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play in which a major character behaves in an impulsive or calculating or emotional manner?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ focuses on a character who behaves in a calculating way.The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, ultimately leading to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play in which there is a scene which influences the course of future events?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ contains a scene which influences the course of future events.The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, by accusing her of witchcraft, ultimately leading to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play which deals with the theme of honour or shame or betrayal?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ explores the theme of betrayal. The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life and not betray his wife again. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, by accusing her of witchcraft, ultimately leading to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play which has an effective opening scene or concluding scene?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘ The Crucible ‘ which has an effective opening scene. The protagonist John Proctor, is unwilling to forgive himself for committing adultery with Abigail Williams. Proctors need for self preservation and unwillingness to forgive himself influence the outcome of the play and result in his death in the denouement of the play.

What is the introduction for choose a play in which a major character’s actions influence the emotions of others?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ contains a major character who influences the emotions of others. The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, by accusing her of witchcraft, ultimately leading to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play in which there is a scene involving a moment of conflict or of resolution to conflict?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ contains a scene involving a moment of conflict. The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured and weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, by accusing her of witchcraft. Proctor attends court in the hope of pleading his wife’s innocence, which results in a conflict, that ultimately leads to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play which explores an important issue or issues within society?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ explores the issue of suppressed desire in the Puritan community of the 1690s. The protagonist John Proctor, is unwilling to forgive himself after committing adultery - an act frowned upon by the Puritan community. It is his inability to forgive himself and need for self preservation that subsequently controls and influences the outcome of the play, resulting in Proctors death.

What is the introduction for a character who, makes a vital error?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ contains a scene where a character makes a vital error. The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured and weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, by accusing her of witchcraft. Proctor attends court in the hope of pleading his wife’s innocence but when presented with the chance to save herself and her husband, Elizabeth’s natural lie to protect her husband ultimately leads to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for a scene that acts as a clear turning point?

What is the introduction for choose a play where the emotions of one or more characters reach a climax?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ contains a scene involving a moment of conflict. The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured and weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, by accusing her of witchcraft. Proctor attends court in the hope of pleading his wife’s innocence, which results in a climax of his emotions, that ultimately leads to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the conclusion to the play?

To conclude - refer to question. Had Proctor been able to overcome his excessive pride and forgive himself for the the adultery he committed and not been so preoccupied with his past transgressions and reputation in Salem, he could have revealed his knowledge of Abigail earlier in the play and prevented the deaths of many people, as well as his own. Ultimately his inhabiting to forgive himself which was his fatal weakness and Miller successfully conveys the power conscience has over us. The play as a whole provides a powerful message about the dangers of being swept up in hysteria as well as the difficulties placed upon an individual to conform to society.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Crucible — John Proctor – a Tragic Hero in The Crucible

John Proctor - a Tragic Hero in The Crucible

• Categories: John Proctor The Crucible Tragic Hero

About this sample

Words: 422 |

Published: Mar 1, 2019

Words: 422 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Hook Examples for “The Crucible” Essay

• Dramatic Excerpt: “Because it is my name!” These haunting words uttered by John Proctor in Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ echo the internal struggle of a man torn between pride and morality. Join me as we delve into the tragic journey of a character whose name became his ultimate downfall.
• Thought-Provoking Question: What drives a man to choose death over tarnishing his reputation? John Proctor’s unwavering pride in his name propels the gripping narrative of ‘The Crucible,’ challenging us to ponder the limits of personal integrity.
• Character Analysis: In the world of literature, few characters embody the essence of a tragic hero as profoundly as John Proctor. As we dissect his pride, flaws, and redemption, we unravel the layers of complexity that make him an enduring figure in American drama.
• Historical Parallel: John Proctor’s struggle for his name and reputation resonates with the historical backdrop of the Salem witch trials. Explore with me how Miller’s portrayal of Proctor mirrors the real-life conflicts of individuals accused of witchcraft in 17th-century America.
• The Power of Reputation: In a society where a name could mean the difference between life and death, John Proctor’s unwavering commitment to preserving his reputation reveals the profound influence of societal norms in ‘The Crucible.’ Together, we’ll navigate the treacherous terrain of Puritan New England.

Works Cited

• Miller, Arthur. (2003). The Crucible. Penguin Books.
• Campbell, Lily. (2017, December 7). John Proctor as a Tragic Hero in The Crucible. The Odyssey Online. https://www.theodysseyonline.com/john-proctor-tragic-hero
• Jackson, Robert. The Tragic Hero of Arthur Miller’s Play, The Crucible. Study.com.
• Johnson, Kevin R. (2006). Arthur Miller’s The Crucible: A Defense for Proctor. The Explicator, 64(3), 155-157. doi: 10.3200/EXPL.64.3.155-157
• Strout, Richard. (1955). Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and Nathaniel Hawthorne: Some Parallels. American Literature, 27(1), 1-13. doi: 10.2307/2921827
• Coker, Catherine. (1963). Puritanism in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. The New England Quarterly, 36(4), 471-477. doi: 10.2307/364489
• Lister, Vivian. (1974). The Problem of Character in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. Twentieth Century Literature, 20(3), 201-214. doi: 10.2307/441170
• Bloom, Harold (Ed.). (1999). Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. Chelsea House Publishers.
• Tucker, Martin. (2013, March 22). The Crucible: Tragic Hero or Coward? The Good Men Project. https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/the-crucible-tragic-hero-or-coward/
• Atkinson, Brooks. (1953, January 23). The Crucible: Arthur Miller’s View of Tragedy. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1953/01/23/archives/the-crucible-arthur-millers-view-of-tragedy.html

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The Crucible of Fate: Reimagining the Battle of Gettysburg

This essay about the Battle of Gettysburg offers a reimagining of the pivotal event in American history. It presents a vivid portrayal of the strategic landscape, focusing on the key figures of Generals Robert E. Lee and George G. Meade. Through this reimagining, the essay highlights the human stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience that unfolded on the battlefield. It emphasizes the significance of Gettysburg beyond its military outcomes, showcasing its enduring legacy as a symbol of the American spirit and the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality.

How it works

In the annals of American history, few battles loom as large as the clash at Gettysburg. Nestled in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, this three-day conflagration in July 1863 became a crucible where the fate of a nation hung in the balance. However, let us embark on a journey of reimagining, where the echoes of cannon fire and the cries of fallen soldiers take on new meaning, revealing the untold stories and hidden truths of this momentous event.

Imagine, if you will, the strategic landscape of Gettysburg not as mere topography, but as a tapestry woven with threads of ambition, desperation, and resilience.

The fields and ridges that witnessed the clash of arms were not just battlegrounds, but stages upon which the human drama of war unfolded. Here, amidst the smoke and chaos, individuals grappled with their destinies, their actions shaping the course of history in ways both grand and intimate.

At the heart of this reimagining lies the enigmatic figure of General Robert E. Lee, whose audacious gamble to invade the North ignited the flames of conflict at Gettysburg. Picture him not as a mere commander, but as a man burdened by the weight of expectations, torn between loyalty to his cause and the toll of war upon his soul. Lee’s decision to confront the Union Army head-on was not just a strategic calculation, but a gambit born of desperation—a last-ditch effort to seize victory from the jaws of defeat.

Opposing Lee stood General George G. Meade, a figure often overshadowed by the larger-than-life personas of his contemporaries. Yet, in this reimagining, Meade emerges as a steady hand guiding the fate of the Union with quiet resolve. His leadership on the field of battle was not marked by flashy heroics, but by steadfast determination and tactical acumen. It was Meade’s ability to harness the collective strength of his army that ultimately tipped the scales in favor of the Union.

But the true essence of Gettysburg lies not in the clash of generals, but in the stories of the men who fought and died on its blood-soaked fields. Imagine the faces of soldiers—North and South alike—etched with fear, courage, and the grim acceptance of fate. Each one a protagonist in their own right, their voices lost to history’s relentless march. Yet, in this reimagining, their stories are brought to the forefront, illuminating the human cost of war and the bonds forged in the crucible of combat.

Among these voices, let us pause to hear the stories of the marginalized and forgotten. Picture the faces of African American soldiers, fighting not just for the Union cause, but for their own liberation from the shackles of slavery. In this reimagining, their presence at Gettysburg is not relegated to the sidelines, but woven into the fabric of the battle itself—a testament to the unfinished struggle for freedom and equality that defined the Civil War era.

As the smoke of battle clears and the echoes of gunfire fade into the distance, what remains is not just a victory or defeat, but a legacy forged in the crucible of fate. The significance of Gettysburg extends beyond its immediate military outcomes, resonating through the corridors of history to shape the destiny of a nation. It is a reminder of the sacrifices made and the price paid for liberty, and a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience that defines the American experience.

In this reimagining, the Battle of Gettysburg transcends its historical confines to become a timeless tableau—a reflection of the human condition in all its complexity. It is a story of courage in the face of adversity, of sacrifice for a cause greater than oneself, and of the enduring power of the human spirit to rise above the ravages of war. And though the fields of Gettysburg may lie silent now, their echoes continue to reverberate through the corridors of time, reminding us of the enduring legacy of those who fought and died there.

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Crucible of Doubt

Posted 29/05/2024 by NURPRT Forum

The following post by Austin Benedetto, an undergraduate student at Northwestern University, is the sixth in the series of posts highlighting exemplary work by undergraduates with interests in Russian Philosophy, Literature,  and Religious Thought. The NURPRT Forum welcomes any undergraduate student to  submit academic writing related to these fields to be considered for publication.

In Capitalism in America , Alan Greenspan attempts to explain the United States’ fading dynamism. He provides a few reasons, but the most important is rising entitlements (e.g., Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid). [1] These programs, to simplify, lower domestic savings and thus put at risk forward-looking investments that may yield long-term rewards. The more foundational problem, however, is that entitlements are hard to roll back. Once someone has something, it is really difficult to take it away. Economists Richard Thaler and Daniel Kahneman have extensively studied the “endowment effect,” but the idea can be traced back to Aristotle. In Nicomachean Ethics , he writes:

For most things are differently valued by those who have them and by those who wish to get them: what belongs to us, and what we give away, always seems very precious to us. [2]

This tendency, I submit, applies to more than just material goods. People similarly feel entitled to their respective ideologies. Consequently, they often leave their opinions unexamined.  When someone steps into a college classroom and vehemently declares that their political or economic system is the correct one, there is rarely any doubt in their voice. It is even more troublesome when these same people equate criticism with personal disrespect. They see other viewpoints as not only incorrect but morally inferior. In such cases, pedagogy morphs into fundamentalism and indoctrination.

All of this goes back to the idea of entitlement. People often feel that, simply by existing, they have the “right” to hold strong opinions on all subjects. While this is not necessarily consequential when it comes to something like rating movies, ideology is a different matter. We should be very careful with what philosophies we adopt. This is not to say all entitlements are bad – people have the right to their own opinions – but social and political philosophies ought to be open to careful examination and reconsideration, rather than treated as an inviolable personal possession.

Russian literature helps us to better understand this feeling of entitlement, whether economic or ideological. Surrounded by Russian utopists and nihilists, Dostoevsky observed hotheaded people who never suspected their own philosophies. Dostoevsky, on the other hand, was filled with doubt over even his most essential belief: God. In one of his letters, he wrote: “the main question is the very one I have struggled with consciously and unconsciously all my life—the existence of God.” [3] Despite proclaiming his faith, he greatly struggled with it. This conflict is best exemplified in the Brothers Karamazov where, through Ivan and the Grand Inquisitor, he gives one of the best rebuttals to Christianity. This makes clear that he did not believe in Christ “like a child”; instead, his belief “passed through a great furnace of doubt.” [4]

But is doubt really edifying? Surely it is – and this is where the power of the realist novel comes into play. In the essay “Art as Device,” Viktor Shklovsky describes the purpose of art as the “’enstrangement’ of things and the complication of the form.” [5] In other words, art interrupts thoughtless habit and allows the reader to see objectively as a third party. Shklovsky commends Tolstoy as the master of this form. His method, Shklovsky continues, “consists in not calling a thing or event by its name but describing it as if seen for the first time, as if happening for the first time.” [6]

Shklovsky gives many examples, but a relevant one comes from Stiva in Anna Karenina . Stiva is inattentive, and while “science, art, and politics had no special interest for him, he firmly held those views on all these subjects which were held by the majority and by his paper.” [7] This seems ridiculous to anyone who reads it, of course, but people habitually do this every day. I have read countless Op-Eds nodding in agreement without ever considering the other side. It is only when I read passages like this one from Tolstoy that the routine appears as foolish as it truly is.

Given the obvious absurdity of thoughtless agreement and oversimplification, why do we do it? Joseph Schumpeter, a famous economist, describes this phenomenon in relation to Karl Marx’s appeal. Much of economics is about individual technical insights, while Marx gives a fully packaged synthesis. On this, Schumpeter writes:

From the students who are taught to see only individual trees we hear discontented clamor for the forest. They fail to realize however… that the synthetic forest may look uncommonly like an intellectual concentration camp. [8]

We desire philosophies that purport to explain everything, but life is far more complicated than these theories can capture. By trying to limit the richness and endless variety of experience, we indirectly imprison ourselves. Moreover, in explaining everything simply through environmental or economic conditions, we may “solve” the issue but only tautologically.

To elucidate this point, Gary Saul Morson tells a story about two kids playing around on a sunny day. One child asks: “why is the sky blue?” The other responds: “because God wills it.” This certainly is an answer, but by explaining every phenomenon it in fact explains nothing. This type of totalistic explanation is also what creates that dangerous certitude which so reviles all other possible viewpoints.

We might find a better approach by starting with Berlin’s essay The Hedgehog and the Fox . Investigating Archilochus’s proverb, “The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing,” Berlin imagines two types of thinkers. Hedgehogs, like Karl Marx and Plato, have one big idea through which they view the world. Foxes, on the other hand, believe that recognizing life’s infinite complexity is truer to reality than any one “big idea.” This dichotomy may seem unfair to hedgehogs, but it is important to remember that hedgehogs have had a profound (sometimes baneful) impact on intellectual history.

The question now becomes: what does a “fox” look like? Evidently, we need to consciously criticize our habits and ideologies – but is there something more? I submit there is: dutiful and active awareness. This can be best understood by looking at the three Karamazov brothers.

Alyosha, the youngest of the brothers, is religious and arguably dutiful from the beginning – but he believes like a hedgehog. His faith is built upon his respect for the Elder Zosima (a spiritual man) and his belief in miracles. When Alyosha examines his brother Ivan’s motivations, he does not actually stop and think; instead, he merely copies Zosima’s diagnosis. To which his interlocuter interjects, “That’s plagiarism.” [9] Alyosha’s credulity, like Stiva’s, is exactly what needs to be avoided.

Yet, Alyosha soon experiences a reckoning. The miracle he expected doesn’t happen, and great doubt disrupts his religious base. Feeling aimless, he is goaded into the den of a women whom many see as debauched. But this woman, Grushenka, does not act as expected. She is warm and tells a story about a wicked woman who has the possibility for redemption solely because she did one good act: giving an onion to a poor beggar. These small deeds, both the onion and the telling of the story, are not miracles in the conventional sense. They are mundane acts which anyone can do. Yet, they offer a much stronger basis for belief because they are at once ordinary and extraordinary. No longer does Alyosha’s religious faith rest on an oversimplified belief in divine interventions. In other words, like a fox, he becomes aware of the individual trees that compose the forest of faith.

No one explains this phenomenon better than the Elder Zosima. When a woman confides to him that she is troubled by a crisis of faith, he does not dissimulate or give a ready-made proof for God. All the Elder does is prescribe a dutiful way of life: “there’s no proving it, though you can be convinced of it… By the experience of active love. Strive to love your neighbor actively and indefatigably” [10] This is hard-earned belief. Instead of blind faith or simplified ideology, one works for their principles and is thus better prepared to face the world’s contingencies.

Ivan, the middle Karamazov brother, undergoes a transformation like Alyosha, but one that, in its ambiguity, is possibly more revealing. From the onset, Ivan is described as “paradoxical.” [11] He struggles to square the possibility of a caring God in a cruel world. The Elder assesses Ivan’s anguish, saying the “idea [of morality] is still unresolved in [Ivan’s] heart and torments it.” [12] While Ivan is commendable for examining his belief system, he does so with detachment. By signing his writings as “The Observer,” he impersonally remains a step away from truly working through his ideas. In this way, he fails in the active part of ideological examination.

Unlike Alyosha, Ivan does not find definitive redemption. Still, by the end, it can be said that he takes a step in the right direction. After slowly grappling with his guilt over a crime of passivity, Ivan realizes that though contemplation is necessary, reflection, by itself, is not sufficient for assessing value systems.

This change can be seen through Ivan’s encounter with a peasant. Running over to see Smerdyakov, his quasi-accomplice in crime, Ivan overhears a peasant singing a song that is eerily reminiscent of his transgression. He knocks the peasant over and runs away, once again hiding and neglecting active duty. But after conversing with Smerdyakov for the third and final time, Ivan fully realizes his guilt – and on his return, Ivan goes over to the peasant and brings him to the hospital. For the first time, “something like a joy was springing in” the almost always gloomy Ivan. [13]

By taking action, Ivan begins to reconcile with the irreducible complexity of life he had abandoned for solipsistic thinking. All of this leads to a final encounter with his interior demon – an actual devil. Ivan’s devil famously exemplifies the ordinariness of evil, but more interestingly for this discussion, he elucidates the necessity of opposing viewpoints:

Without criticism, it would be nothing but one ‘hosannah.’ But nothing but hosannah is not enough for life, the hosannah must be tried in the crucible of doubt. [14]

Not only would life be less interesting were everything clear, but would belief even mean anything if it was so easily begotten? No, people value something more when it is achieved than when it is freely obtained.

Doubting your core beliefs is not easy, however. As Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich wrote: “Courage in war and courage of thought are two different things. I used to think they were the same.” [15] (WSJ). It requires immense personal suffering to speak against the prevailing ideology – maybe even more than when fighting in battle. All of this raises the question: how does one endure throughout the discovery process? Dmitri, the eldest Karamazov, provides a good resolution. After being arrested for a crime he did not commit, Dmitri exclaims he “could stand anything, any suffering, only to be able to say and to repeat to myself every moment, ‘I exist’” [16] By cultivating respect and perhaps even love for life’s complexity, one can better withstand its indispensable uncertainties.

Image: Aleksandr Ivanov, Study: Two Heads, Turning of the Head of the Doubter 1835-39

[1] Alan Greenspan and Adrian Wooldridge, Capitalism in America: A History . (New York: Random House, 2008), 404.

[2] Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics , Translated by F.H. Peters. (London: Kegal Paul, Trench, Truebner &Co, 1983), 206.

[3] Fyodor Dostoevsky and Susan Reynolds, The Brothers Karamazov: A Revised Translation . Translated by Constance Garnett. (New York: W.W. Norton & Co: 2011), 654.

[4] Dostoevsky, Brothers Karamazov , 667.

[5] Viktor Sklovsky, Art as Device , Translated by Alexandra Berlina. (Duke University Press, 2015): https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/english/currentstudents/undergraduate/modules/fulllist/first/en122/lecturelist2017-18/art_as_device_2015.pdf

[6] Shklovsky, Art as Device .

[7] Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina , Translated by Constance Garnett. (New York: Modern Library, 1950), 9.

[8] Joseph Schumpeter, Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy . (New York: Harper & Row, 1962), 46.

[9] Dostoevsky, Brothers Karamazov , 75.

[10] Dostoevsky, Brothers Karamazov , 54.

[11] Dostoevsky, Brothers Karamazov , 65.

[12] Dostoevsky, Brothers Karamazov , 65.

[13] Dostoevsky, Brothers Karamazov , 532.

[14] Dostoevsky, Brothers Karamazov , 539.

[15] Gary Saul Morson, “What Pilate Learns.” First Things , March 2023, https://www.firstthings.com/article/2023/03/what-pilate-learns

[16] Dostoevsky, Brothers Karamazov , 500.

Categories: Forum of Ideas , General , Undergraduate

Tags: Dostoevsky , Russian literature , Undergraduate

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