1. The Crucible ThemesStructureCharacters

2. What is a theme? A fundamental and often universal idea explored in a literary work. A fundamental and often universal idea explored in a literary work. It’s what lets us identify with the story, even if it takes place in a setting we are unfamiliar with. It’s what lets us identify with the story, even if it takes place in a setting we are unfamiliar with.

3. Theme 1: Intolerance What is it? What is it? Unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect contrary opinions or beliefs, persons of different races or backgrounds, etc. Unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect contrary opinions or beliefs, persons of different races or backgrounds, etc. Seeing your way as right no matter what; won’t even consider that other ways could be valid. Seeing your way as right no matter what; won’t even consider that other ways could be valid.

4. Theme 1: Intolerance The Crucible is set in a theocratic society (the church and state are one). The Crucible is set in a theocratic society (the church and state are one). In Salem, everything is either good or evil, right or wrong, of God or of Satan. There is no “gray area” or “in between.” In Salem, everything is either good or evil, right or wrong, of God or of Satan. There is no “gray area” or “in between.” Anyone who doesn’t follow the religious rules is considered a threat. Anyone who doesn’t follow the religious rules is considered a threat.

5. Theme 1: Intolerance Disobeying God’s laws isn’t just unlawful, it’s considered Satanic / evil. Disobeying God’s laws isn’t just unlawful, it’s considered Satanic / evil. The witch trials are the ultimate expression of intolerance. Social deviants (those who don’t go along with all of Salem’s rules and beliefs) are braded “witches” and “devil-worshipers” and are cast out of the good Christian community. The witch trials are the ultimate expression of intolerance. Social deviants (those who don’t go along with all of Salem’s rules and beliefs) are braded “witches” and “devil-worshipers” and are cast out of the good Christian community.

6. Did you get it? What is intolerance? What is intolerance? How is Salem an “intolerant” society? How is Salem an “intolerant” society? In Salem, what kinds of people are “good” and what kinds are “evil?” In Salem, what kinds of people are “good” and what kinds are “evil?” Which characters are intolerant and why? Which characters are intolerant and why?

7. Theme 2: Hysteria What is it? What is it? An uncontrollable rush emotion or fear, often characterized by irrationality An uncontrollable rush emotion or fear, often characterized by irrationality People freaking out because other people are freaking out and then making bad decisions based on inaccurate (and often imaginary) information. People freaking out because other people are freaking out and then making bad decisions based on inaccurate (and often imaginary) information.

8. Theme 2: Hysteria Hysteria overrules logic and enables people in Salem to believe their neighbors are committing absurd and unbelievable crimes. Hysteria overrules logic and enables people in Salem to believe their neighbors are committing absurd and unbelievable crimes. The townspeople accept the witch hunt hysteria not because they love God or genuinely care about conquering evil, but because it allows them to act on long-held grudges. The townspeople accept the witch hunt hysteria not because they love God or genuinely care about conquering evil, but because it allows them to act on long-held grudges.

9. Theme 2: Hysteria Examples of people who benefit from the hysteria: Examples of people who benefit from the hysteria: Abigail: uses the situation to accuse Elizabeth and have her sent to jail Abigail: uses the situation to accuse Elizabeth and have her sent to jail Parris: strengthens his shaky position in the village by putting blame on people like Proctor who question his authority Parris: strengthens his shaky position in the village by putting blame on people like Proctor who question his authority Thomas Putnam: gains revenge on Francis Nurse by getting Rebecca accused of murdering his wife’s babies Thomas Putnam: gains revenge on Francis Nurse by getting Rebecca accused of murdering his wife’s babies

10. Theme 2: Hysteria Hysteria only thrives in Salem because people benefit from it. Hysteria only thrives in Salem because people benefit from it. Hysteria suspends the rules of daily life and allows the acting out of every dark desire and hateful urge. Hysteria suspends the rules of daily life and allows the acting out of every dark desire and hateful urge. It allows people to feel justified when they hurt others and act selfishly. It allows people to feel justified when they hurt others and act selfishly.

11. Did you get it? What is hysteria? What is hysteria? What does hysteria allow the townspeople to do that they wouldn’t normally have been able to do? What does hysteria allow the townspeople to do that they wouldn’t normally have been able to do? Why does the hysteria continue to grow? Why does the hysteria continue to grow? Who benefits from hysteria and how? Who benefits from hysteria and how?

12. Theme 3: Reputation What is it? What is it? The way other people view you. The way other people view you. Reputation is very important in Salem, because the way you behave in public says everything about your “Christian” character. Reputation is very important in Salem, because the way you behave in public says everything about your “Christian” character. Various characters base their actions on the desire to protect their reputations. Various characters base their actions on the desire to protect their reputations.

13. Theme 3: Reputation Parris: fears that Abigail’s questionable actions will cost him respect and maybe even his job Parris: fears that Abigail’s questionable actions will cost him respect and maybe even his job Proctor: could have stopped the girls’ accusations early in the play, but hesitated because he was afraid of hurting his reputation. In the end, his desire to keep his good name and go to his death innocent redeems his earlier bad choice. Proctor: could have stopped the girls’ accusations early in the play, but hesitated because he was afraid of hurting his reputation. In the end, his desire to keep his good name and go to his death innocent redeems his earlier bad choice.

14. Did you get it? What is reputation? What is reputation? Why is it particularly important in Salem? Why is it particularly important in Salem? Which characters are worried about their reputations? What actions do they take to protect their reputations? Which characters are worried about their reputations? What actions do they take to protect their reputations?

15. Theme 4: Empowerment What is it? What is it? To give power or authority to; authorize, esp. by legal or official means To give power or authority to; authorize, esp. by legal or official means The witch trials empower those who were previously powerless. The witch trials empower those who were previously powerless. In Salem, women occupy a low social rung, being dominated by men (only men can lead in the church and the church controls the society). They have few options in life (mother or servant). In Salem, women occupy a low social rung, being dominated by men (only men can lead in the church and the church controls the society). They have few options in life (mother or servant).

16. Theme 4: Empowerment The trials allows the single servant girls to become powerful. People see them as “saints” and overlook their sins, taking their word to be an expression of “God’s will.” They can now control and manipulate even the most powerful men in town (ex: Abigail threatens that Danforth will be accused next if he doubts her). The trials allows the single servant girls to become powerful. People see them as “saints” and overlook their sins, taking their word to be an expression of “God’s will.” They can now control and manipulate even the most powerful men in town (ex: Abigail threatens that Danforth will be accused next if he doubts her). Even lower in Salem society than women are African slaves. The trials enable Tituba to get out of trouble (at first) by accusing others. Even lower in Salem society than women are African slaves. The trials enable Tituba to get out of trouble (at first) by accusing others.

17. Did you get it? What is empowerment? What is empowerment? Who is empowered by the trials and how? Who is empowered by the trials and how? Why was Salem the perfect place for the witch trials to happen? What conditions needed to exist for all the craziness to take place? Why was Salem the perfect place for the witch trials to happen? What conditions needed to exist for all the craziness to take place?

18. Structure The Crucible has the structure of a classical tragedy. The Crucible has the structure of a classical tragedy. Classical tragedy originated in Ancient Greece. Classical tragedy originated in Ancient Greece. It has 3 major components: It has 3 major components: Hamartia Hamartia Hubris Hubris Catharsis Catharsis

19. Structure: Hamartia A fatal flaw A fatal flaw Greek for “missing the mark” Greek for “missing the mark” A tragic mistake made by the main character; an error in judgment A tragic mistake made by the main character; an error in judgment

20. Structure: Hubris Overweening pride Overweening pride Greek for “ruin, folly, delusion” Greek for “ruin, folly, delusion” The main character’s hubris leads to his/her downfall or death The main character’s hubris leads to his/her downfall or death

21. Structure: Catharsis An emotional climax that results in a revelation An emotional climax that results in a revelation Greek for “purification or cleansing” Greek for “purification or cleansing” Catharsis involves feelings of great sorrow, pity, regret, etc. that lead to the main character’s restoration or renewal Catharsis involves feelings of great sorrow, pity, regret, etc. that lead to the main character’s restoration or renewal

22. Characters: John Proctor The Crucible is structured as a classical tragedy, with Proctor as the play’s tragic hero. The Crucible is structured as a classical tragedy, with Proctor as the play’s tragic hero. He is basically a good person: honest, upright, blunt, and remorseful of his mistakes. He is basically a good person: honest, upright, blunt, and remorseful of his mistakes. He has a secret, fatal flaw: his lust for Abigail. He has a secret, fatal flaw: his lust for Abigail.

23. Characters: John Proctor Proctor is worried his reputation will be ruined if he tells the court Abigail is lying. His hubris prevents him from stopping the girls’ hysteria in the beginning and everything quickly snowballs out of control. Proctor is worried his reputation will be ruined if he tells the court Abigail is lying. His hubris prevents him from stopping the girls’ hysteria in the beginning and everything quickly snowballs out of control. When he finally realizes how bad things have gotten, he redeems himself by refusing to admit to witchcraft, even though it means he will hang. When he finally realizes how bad things have gotten, he redeems himself by refusing to admit to witchcraft, even though it means he will hang.

24. Characters: John Proctor Proctor almost wavers in his resolve to do the right thing (he signs the confession), but has a cathartic moment when he rips it up. Proctor almost wavers in his resolve to do the right thing (he signs the confession), but has a cathartic moment when he rips it up. Elizabeth confirms his redemption by saying, “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him.” Elizabeth confirms his redemption by saying, “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him.” In the end, Proctor is more concerned with doing what’s right than with having a good reputation in Salem. In the end, Proctor is more concerned with doing what’s right than with having a good reputation in Salem.

25. Characters: Abigail Williams Orphan who lives with her uncle, Parris. Orphan who lives with her uncle, Parris. The villain of the play. The villain of the play. Kills innocent people to a) get out of trouble for dancing and b) kill Elizabeth so she can be with John. Kills innocent people to a) get out of trouble for dancing and b) kill Elizabeth so she can be with John. She is motivated by JEALOUSY and a desire to get REVENGE on Elizabeth Proctor for firing her. She is motivated by JEALOUSY and a desire to get REVENGE on Elizabeth Proctor for firing her. She is character modeled after the Biblical archetype of Jezebel: a wicked woman motivated by sexual desire and a lust for power. She is character modeled after the Biblical archetype of Jezebel: a wicked woman motivated by sexual desire and a lust for power.

26. Characters: Reverend Hale Intellectual, naïve witch-hunter from neighboring town of Beverly. Intellectual, naïve witch-hunter from neighboring town of Beverly. Called in to assess the situation when Betty falls ill after getting caught dancing in the woods. Called in to assess the situation when Betty falls ill after getting caught dancing in the woods. In the beginning, he is the force behind the witch trials, probing for confessions and encouraging people to testify. In the beginning, he is the force behind the witch trials, probing for confessions and encouraging people to testify. He transforms over the course of the play (more than any other character) and eventually denounces the trials. He transforms over the course of the play (more than any other character) and eventually denounces the trials.

27. Characters: Reverend Hale His catharsis comes too late, though, and his faith in God and in the law are broken. He begs the accused to lie and save themselves rather than die innocent. His catharsis comes too late, though, and his faith in God and in the law are broken. He begs the accused to lie and save themselves rather than die innocent. He gains the audience’s sympathy but not its respect, since he is weak (unlike characters like Rebecca Nurse, Giles Corey, and Proctor). He surrenders to evil instead of defying it. He insists that survival is the highest good, even if it means accommodating injustice – something truly heroic characters can never accept. He gains the audience’s sympathy but not its respect, since he is weak (unlike characters like Rebecca Nurse, Giles Corey, and Proctor). He surrenders to evil instead of defying it. He insists that survival is the highest good, even if it means accommodating injustice – something truly heroic characters can never accept.