1. The Crucible by Arthur Miller
MAJOR THEMES

2. Hysteria
Definition: noun 1. an uncontrollable outburst of emotion or fear, often characterized by irrationality, laughter, weeping, etc.
Synonyms: commotion, confusion
Examples:
Neighbors suddenly turn on each other and accuse people they have known for YEARS
Community-wide fear overwhelms logic and individual thought and becomes the justifying means
Becomes the means of expressing suppressed anger and resentment (towards others but also towards the strict society of Puritanism)
They BELIEVE the devil is attacking Salem

3. Hysteria Cont.
If Devil is attacking Salem, it becomes a DUTY or righteous act that protects the God you love, to seek out those who support evil/witchcraft

4. Ideology
Definition: noun 1. the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.
-Ideology can be DANGERGOUS!! – these ideas DEFINE
what Salem thinks!!
-Puritans thought that the Devil would do anything to
destroy them
-religion ran the government; government actions were
seen as “good”
-anyone who even ATTEMPTED to question or obstruct
government actions was seen as trying to overthrow God

5. Ideology Cont.
Governments that followed rigid ideologies = corruption and tyranny
Ex) Gov. Danforth and Judge Hathorne
Never believe they are wrong- never assess their believes
Easy targets for liars, like Abby
Court is narrow-minded; easily taken advantage b/c they only have ONE view

6. Reputation & Integrity
noun 1. the estimation in which a person or thing is held, especially by the community or the public generally; repute: a man of good reputation.
The way people receive you

7. Reputation & Integrity Cont.
noun 1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
Virtue
*In Crucible- reputation or integrity?
-Parris, Abby, others, choose reputation
-Rebecca, Proctor choose integrity

8. Bad Reputation= social or even physical punishment
Those who protect reputation are DANGEROUS- they
allow harm to others and fuel hysteria
Those who favor integrity by admitting mistakes and
refusing to lie- DEFY hysteria-stop the fear that feeds
hysteria

9. Act 1- Hysteria
Parris’ house because of Betty’s actions-hysteria begins
Rumors of witchcraft become BELIEF in witchcraft- works upon irrational fear
Betty and Ruth’s actions
Both Putnams WANT witchcraft to exist
Betty’s crying out when psalms are sung
Witchcraft brings on resentments in Salem- impact characters’ actions as hysteria grows
Hysteria is powerful- those who are ‘voices of reason’ cannot stop it
Tituba’s accusations of Goody Osburn fuels Mrs. Putnam’s hysteria (Osburn was midwife)
Vicious cycle of hysteria continues as Abigail and Betty shout out accusations

10. Act 1- Ideology
Bringing Hale into the mix- calling him is dangerous- once religion is involved things escalate
Hale is a minister, yet views his beliefs in witchcraft as almost ‘doctor-like’ – these facts help make him unbias
When Tituba denies witchcraft, religious officials see it as LIES- they encourage her to admit to false witchcraft
Hale believes the girls immediately

11. Act 1- Reputation & Ideology
Parris and Abby want to protect reputations. P- wants no one to know what is going on with Betty A- warning girls NOT to mention what happened in forest
Abigail lies to Parris about woods- making herself look good and innocent
Abigail lies to Parris about losing Proctor’s
Putnams have strong influence on Parris because of their reputation
Betty and Ruth act sick to save their reputations
Abigail lies about Tituba and Ruth conjuring spirits
All the girls try to save face- Abby forces them to lie
Proctor is HONEST- knows he is immoral and is self-loathing
Accusations against neighbors to try and make self look ‘good’
Putnam and Nurse hatred comes out because of witchcraft accusations

12. R & I Cont.
Abby denied witchcraft until Hale mentions there is- she switches stories
Tituba tries to save first- denies witchcraft
Tituba admits to save herself and reputation
Betty and Abigail accuse several girls- continue to save themselves

13. Act 2- Hysteria
Hysteria grips town- even authorities- even Proctor has to admit hysteria is present
Hysteria encourages confessions of NON-EXISTENT witchcraft
Hysteria changes peoples’ perceptions of reality- Mary Warren now believes witchcraft exists
Mary gains power from the hysteria surrounding Salem
Hysteria provides forum expressing suppressed grievances
Mary’s end of Act may be stronger than her integrity- possible disaster ahead

14. Act 2- Ideology
Hale has integrity- NOT comfortable with the court situation-wants EVIDENCE, not accusations
Puritans -God is on their side, cannot make mistakes
Ministers =good and wise
Disagree with church- go against God
Proctor goes against Hale- Hale ignores his plea; inability to question themselves (religious officials)
Hale believes court is blessed by God- court will find truth
Court has no need for evidence- God runs it, judgments will be just and correct!
Hale thinks courts arrival in Salem is God’s will

15. Act 2- Reputation & Integrity
Proctor and Elizabeth’s marital situation
Proctor resists going to court to protect reputation
Proctor’s anger over affair-concern for rep. and int.
Hale- integrity in searching for evidence
Puritans attack each other- against God: evil, agree God: righteous
Proctor takes stand against oppressive society- rips up warrant
Proctor STOPS protecting rep.- is going to court

16. Act 3- Hysteria
Court wants no evidence; continues to accuse several innocent people
Abigail and Putnams use hysteria of witchcraft to instill fear in villagers; continue to manipulate the courts
Changes Mary Warren’s perception of reality; Mary wasn’t lying but now b/c of girls actions, she really thinks there are spirits
Danforth is overcome; doesn’t care about evidence
Vicious cycle of hysteria and accusations force Mary to turn against Proctor

17. Act 3- Ideology No evidence needed b/c of belief in witchcraft
Judges dismiss any testimony from Francis Nurse; they think only they are correct b/c God is allied with them
Parris believes in witchcraft (different than Act 1)
Hale understands the courts blindness
Danforth cannot comprehend the court being unfair- those who are afraid of the court are guilty
Danforth thinks he can perceive the truth b/c he is Puritan Dep. Gov.
Hale wants to focus on evidence; Danforth needs none
Danforth threatens Mary that she’ll hang unless confesses; she does; power and danger of ideology

18. Act 3- Reputation & Integrity
Parris shouts out that Proctor is overthrowing court, as Danforth is about to hear Mary’s testimony
Parris supports court
Cheever and Parris try to ruin Proctor; ripping warrant, not going to church
Proctor shows integrity by refusing to be satisfied just by his wife’s protection
court views petition of 91 landowners as attack on court
Proctor reveals Abby laughing in church
Parris kept witnessing girls dancing; now he must reveal truth
Proctor sacrifices reputation and holds integrity; reveals affair- Abby denies
“God is dead”- Proctor

19. Act 4- Hysteria Proctors death ENDS THE HYSTERIA- finally!
Hysteria has overcome Tituba and Sarah Good- believe their confessions
Danforth is BLIND as to why Hale has actually returned
Hysteria has caused 12 to be hanged; no pardons
The hysteria did cause hundreds to falsely confess to save themselves
Proctors death ENDS THE HYSTERIA- finally!

20. Act 4- Ideology
Learning that Parris is with Hale makes Hathorne and Parris nervous- wrong??
Danforth thinks Hale has seen the error of his ways- he is blinded by religion
Abby robbing Parris and fleeing SHOULD reveal her as a liar
Events in Andover reveal accusations as false
Danforth will not postpone; his decisions reflect God’s will; make him look weak, “whimpering”
Lying is a sin; ideological blindness forced people to save their lives, damn their souls
Proctor’s confession hung on church door; Danforth and Hathorne are overjoyed
If God knows all, why do they need a signed confession? To make them look right- show their authority

21. Act 4- Reputation & Integrity
Parris, as usual, only cares about himself- worried about events in Andover – and niece leaving
Danforth won’t postpone- make him look bad
Hale urging confessions to save their life, even though he shouldn’t be encouraging lying
Hale is embittered by the blindness of Salem’s religious- only choice is to defy them
Elizabeth tells Proctor only he can save himself, his integrity
Elizabeth shows integrity- admitting driving Proctor away
Proctor sacrifices integrity by confessing and saving his life
Judges must condemn him to show power
Rebecca chooses integrity over life
Proctor will not, does not accuse any; eventually rips confession
Danforth cares nothing for Proctor’s soul; only himself
Proctor’s choice (integrity) affirms his goodness