Full title The Crucible

Author Arthur Miller

Type of work play

Genre tragedy allegory

Time and place written America, early 1950s

Protagonist John Proctor

Antagonist Abigail Willams

Setting (time) 1692

Setting (place) Salem, a small town in colonial Massachusetts

Tone serious and tragic; language is Biblical

Themes intolerance, hysteria, reputation

Symbol The play is symbolic of the Communist witch hunts of the l950s

A work of literature that traces the downfall of its protagonist tragedy

Key literary terms

allusion a reference to a person, place, event, or another passage allusions can originate in mythology, biblical references, historical events, legends, geography, or earlier literary works

allegory any writing that has a double meaning usually involves moral or spiritual concepts that are more significant than the actual described in a narrative

dialogue a conversation between two characters

cast of characters A list of characters in a play in their order of appearance

stage directions actions or activity for the actors to engage in

scene subdivision of an act in a play

act A major division in a play

Paradox (oxymoron) A contradiction in which both ideas make sense Ex: “Without laws, we can have no freedom”

props handheld objects, furniture and similar items on stage apart from costumes and the stage scenery used by actors

scenery The visual environment created onstage using a backdrop and props

motivation The reason behind a character’s actions

Verbal irony statement in which its actual meaning differs sharply from the meaning that the words express

dramatic irony (the most important type for literature) involves a situatioin in which the reader knows something about present or future circumstances that the character does not know

situational irony accidental events occur that seem oddly appropriate

tone describes the author’s attitude toward the subject tone may be formal or informal, playful, ironic, optimistic, pessimistic, or sensual

atmosphere (mood) emotional feelings inspired by a work

metaphor A comparison or analogy stated in such a way as to imply that one object is another on

simile An analogy or comparison implied by using an adverb such as like or as

personification

Logical fallacy

theme a central idea or statement that unifies and controls a literary work meaningful insight or a comprehensive vision of life

idiom expression in a language that cannot directly translated

foreshadowing hints of future events

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