Allusions The Crucible Act II

What is an allusion? A reference to a person, thing, event, situation, or aspect of culture, real or fictional, past or present. Allusions may be drawn from art, myths, literature, history, religion, or any aspect of culture.

Allusions in Act II “Abigail brings the other girls into the court, and where she walks the crowd will part like the Sea for Israel.” This is an allusion to the Biblical story of Moses parting the sea. He was leading his people out of slavery and they came to a sea that they could not cross. He was able to part the sea (via the power of God) and get his people to freedom. This passage means that Abigail has the power (like the power of God) to control and influence the people.

Allusions in Act II “Man, remember, until an hour before the devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven.” This is an allusion to the Bible. Before Lucifer became Satan, he was an angel. His pride overshadowed his judgement, and he believed he was a higher power than God. Lucifer wanted people to worship him, so God cast him from Heaven and into Hell, making Satan a “fallen angel.”

Allusions in Act II “Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash your hands of this!” This is an allusion to the Bible. Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus to death even though he did not believe Jesus to be guilty. Pilate was pressured by Jewish leaders and he gave in. In this passage, Proctor is talking to Hale when Elizabeth is arrested. Proctor is saying that, like Pilate, Hale knows this is wrong, yet he’s allowing it to happen.