Analyzing The Crucible

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Analyzing The Crucible
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Themes

• The central idea or underlying meaning of a
  literary work
• Typically deals with an abstract concept that is
  made concrete through representation in
  character, action, and image.

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Themes in the Crucible

• Human cruelty in the name of righteousness
• The Individual vs. Community/society
• Godliness vs. Worldliness

• Justice vs. Vengeance
• Order vs. Individual Freedom
• Good vs Evil
• Power and Authority
• Ignorance vs. Wisdom

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...and they all have to do with

• OPPRESSION

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Human Weaknesses motifs

• Lust, Guilt - John Proctor
• Selfish Pride - Reverend Hale, John Proctor
• Greed - Reverend Parris, Thomas Putnam
• Vengeance - Abigail
• Dishonesty - Abigail, the girls, John Proctor
• Hysteria Mary, the girls
• Fear Tituba

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Human Strengths motifs

• Honesty Elizabeth Proctor
• Loyalty Elizabeth Proctor
• Courage John Proctor
• Forgiveness Elizabeth Proctor
• Faith Rebecca Nurse
• Reason Rebecca Nurse

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Revenge/Vengeance

• Abigail gets revenge for feeling scorned
• The girls and the accusers were naming people
  whom they did not like and wanted to harm
• Thomas Putnam gains revenge on Francis Nurse by
  getting Rebecca, his wife, convicted of murdering
  his (and Ann Putnams) babies (land)
• Parris seeks revenge against those who do not
  respect his authority as minister

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Intolerance

• a theocratic society
• Church (moral) and state are the same
• Sin and status of an individuals soul are of
  public concern
• Everyone belongs to either God or the devil
• a person is either with this court or he must
  be counted against it. (Danforth, Act III)

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Hysteria

• the role that hysteria can play in tearing apart
  a community.
• replaces logic and reason
• enables people to believe their neighbors are
  guilty of committing absurd and unbelievable
  crimes
• people become active in the hysterical climate
  for 2 reasons
• out of genuine religious faithfulness
• chance to act on long-held grudges

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How do these characters thrive on hysteria?

• Abigail uses situation to accuse Elizabeth
  Proctor of witchcraft and has her jailed
• Reverend Parris strengthens his position within
  the village (temporarily) by making scapegoats of
  those who question authority, like John Proctor

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Reputation

• Extremely important in theocratic Salem
• Guilt by association their sins will taint your
  name
• Parris fears Abigails questionable behavior and
  hints of witchcraft surrounding Betty will
  threaten and force him from the pulpit.

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• John Proctor - early in the play has a chance
  to stop the girls accusations but his desire to
  preserve his reputation keeps him from testifying
  against Abigail
• at the plays end desire to keep his good name
  prevents him from a false confession
• I have given you my soul leave me my name!
  (Proctor to Danforth in Act IV)

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Power and Authority

• Bible is the ultimate authority
• Authority of the Court is absolute
• Conflict of authority - Danforth felt the law
  should be followed exactly, and that anyone who
  opposed the trials was trying to undermine him
  and his authority and the church.
• The girls and some women are empowered by the
  trials

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Individual Vs Society

• The accusers were looking out for their own lives
  and took whatever actions necessary to save
  themselves
• Conformity Human freedom vs social order
• There is either obedience or the church will burn
  like Hell is burning! Parris to Proctor
• I speak my own sins I cannot judge another.  I
  have no tongue for it

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Truth and Lies

• Puritan Ethics meant most people abhorred lying
• Abigail lies all the way through the play
• Elizabeth cannot tell a lie but does to try to
  save John

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Conflict

• Personal John wrestling with his own guilt at
  the beginning and Hale wrestling with his guilt
  at the end.
• Interpersonal (Proctor vs Parris John is honest
  (I see no light of God in that man. I'll not
  conceal it') and (I like it not that Mr. Parris
  should lay his hand upon my baby)
• Impersonal Landgrabbing was practiced by many

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The Title The Crucible

• a trial that ultimately reveals a person's true
  character
• a melting pot
• We burn a hot fire here. It melts down all
  concealment Danforth
• Crucible - it is meant to purify, usually by
  fire. A great irony since the 'fire' that burns
  in Salem does not purify. Instead it muddles
  (confuses) and corrupts. Thus a fire burning for
  the wrong reason is not able to purify.