The Crucible Summary. it is a 1953 play by American playwright Arthur Miller. It is a dramatized and partially fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during 1692–93.
Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism, when the United States government persecuted people accused of being communists. Miller was questioned by the House of Representatives' Committee on Un-American Activities in 1956 and convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to identify others present at meetings he had attended.
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| The Crucible Summary |
The Crucible Summary
The Crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. The action begins in the home of Reverend Parris, whose daughter Betty lies unconscious and appears very ill. Around midnight the night before, Parris had discovered Betty, his niece Abigail, and Tituba, his black slave, dancing in the woods, causing Betty to swoon. The local physician is unable to determine the cause of Betty's illness. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam arrive and reveal that their daughter Ruth is also ill. There is talk in the village of an unnatural cause.
Abigail warns her friend Mercy Lewis and the Proctors' servant Mary Warren, not to reveal that they were all casting spells in the woods. Betty wakes, and Abigail threatens the other girls with violence if they tell anyone that she drank blood and cast a spell in order to kill Goody Proctor. Betty loses consciousness again.
John Proctor and Abigail talk privately about their former relationship. Prior to the opening of the play, Abigail worked as a servant in the Proctor home. Elizabeth Proctor was ill at the time and Abigail took on more responsibility within the Proctor household. When Elizabeth discovered the affair, she dismissed Abigail. During their discussion, Abigail becomes angry with Proctor because he refuses to acknowledge any feelings for her.
Betty wakes again and is hysterical. The well-respected Rebecca Nurse is visiting the Parris household and calms her. Prophetically, Rebecca warns Parris that identifying witchcraft as the cause of Betty's illness will set a dangerous precedent and lead to further problems in Salem. Mr. Putnam asks Rebecca to visit Ruth and attempt to wake her. Ruth is the only Putnam child to survive infancy, and Mrs. Putnam is jealous of Rebecca because all of Rebecca's children are healthy, whereas Mrs. Putnam had lost seven infant children.
Putnam, Proctor, and Giles Corey argue with Parris about his salary and other expectations. Parris claims that a faction is working to drive him out of town, and he disputes their salary figures. Putnam, Proctor, and Corey then begin arguing over property lines and ownership. Putnam accuses Proctor of stealing wood from land that he does not own, but Proctor defends himself, stating that he purchased the land from Francis Nurse five months ago. Putnam claims Francis had no right to the land and, therefore, could not sell it.
Reverend Hale arrives from another town to investigate the strange events in Salem. The people of Salem have summoned him as an expert in witchcraft to determine if witchcraft is behind the children's illnesses. Hale learns that the girls were dancing in the woods with Tituba, and that Tituba can conjure spirits. Abigail blames Tituba for enticing her to sin. Hale then questions Tituba, and she admits that she has seen the Devil, as has Goody Good and Goody Osburn. Abigail also confesses to witchcraft, stating that she had given herself to the Devil, but that she now repents. Betty wakes up, and she and Abigail name individuals that they say they have seen with the Devil.
Eight days later, Elizabeth discovers that Proctor spoke to Abigail privately while in Salem. Elizabeth and Proctor argue over this. Mary Warren comes home from Salem where she is serving as an official of the court, and gives Elizabeth a poppet (doll) that she made for her while sitting in the courtroom. Mary Warren tells Proctor that some of the girls accused Elizabeth of witchcraft, but the court dismissed the charge because Mary Warren defended her.
Hale arrives at the Proctor house and questions Proctor about his poor church attendance. He asks Proctor to name the Ten Commandments. Proctor names nine successfully, but he forgets the commandment forbidding adultery. Hale questions Elizabeth as well. Proctor reveals that Abigail admitted to him that the witchcraft charges were false.
Marshal Herrick then arrives and arrests Elizabeth. Earlier that evening, Abigail feels a needle-stab while eating dinner, and she accuses Elizabeth of attempted murder. The authorities of Salem search the Proctor house and discover the poppet, along with a needle. Hale questions Mary Warren and learns that she sewed the poppet and stored the needle inside. Mary Warren also tells him that Abigail saw her sew the poppet and store the needle. Nevertheless, Elizabeth is arrested.
The court convicts Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse of witchcraft. Giles Corey tells the court he has proof that Putnam is accusing his neighbors of witchcraft in order to gain their land. Judge Danforth asks the name of the witness who gave Corey the information, but Corey refuses to cooperate. The court arrests him. Judge Danforth informs Proctor that Elizabeth is pregnant.
Mary Warren tells the court that she pretended to see spirits and falsely accused others of witchcraft. She reveals that Abigail and the other girls are also lying. Abigail denies Mary Warren's charge, however, and she and the others claim that Mary Warren is sending out her spirit against them in the court.
Proctor denounces Abigail's charge against Mary Warren, stating that Abigail is a lying whore. Proctor informs the court of his affair with Abigail and states that she is lying in order to have Elizabeth executed, thereby providing herself with the opportunity to become his wife. After Proctor agrees that Elizabeth would never lie, the court summons Elizabeth and questions her about the affair. Not knowing that her husband has confessed it, Elizabeth lies about the affair and is returned to jail. Abigail resumes her claim that Mary Warren is attacking her until Mary Warren recants her confession that she lied about the witchcraft and charges John Proctor as the Devil's man.
Several months pass. Proctor is in prison, scheduled to hang, along with Rebecca Nurse. Elizabeth is also in prison, although the court has delayed her execution until after she gives birth. Hale attempts to convince the prisoners to confess rather than hang, but all refuse. Proctor confesses and signs a written affidavit, but he destroys the document rather than have it posted on the church door. Proctor is taken to the gallows.
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The Crucible Themes
Hysteria and Mass Delusion: The play's central conflict hinges on the Salem witch trials, fueled by an atmosphere of fear, suspicion, and paranoia. Accusations of witchcraft spread like wildfire, turning neighbor against neighbor and stripping away reason and logic. The hysteria serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mob mentality and the destructive power of unchecked fear.
Individual vs. Community: The Crucible poses a stark contrast between individual conscience and the demands of society. Characters like John Proctor and Giles Corey wrestle with the dilemma of upholding their personal integrity even when it means defying the community's expectations and risking their own reputations. The play explores the tension between self-preservation and standing up for what's right, even in the face of overwhelming pressure.
The Dangers of Power and Ideology: The play exposes the potential for abuse when power is wielded by individuals like Deputy Governor Danforth and Judge Hathorne. Their unwavering adherence to a strict Puritanical ideology blinds them to reason and compassion, leading to devastating consequences for the accused. The Crucible serves as a warning against the dangers of unchecked power and the perils of blind faith in any ideology.
Reputation and Moral Choice: The characters in The Crucible live in a society where reputation is paramount. The fear of being ostracized or condemned weighs heavily on their decisions, often leading them to compromise their morals or participate in the witch trials to protect their social standing. The play challenges the reader to consider the true value of reputation and the importance of acting with integrity, regardless of external pressures.
Guilt and Redemption: John Proctor's character arc revolves around his struggle with guilt over his past adultery. His attempt to redeem himself by exposing Abigail's lies adds depth and complexity to his motivations. The play explores the possibility of redemption even for those who have made mistakes, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and taking responsibility for one's actions.
The Supernatural and the Unknown: While the accusations of witchcraft are ultimately revealed to be false, the play does not shy away from the presence of the supernatural. The constant references to the devil and the unseen forces at play add an element of mystery and suspense, prompting the audience to consider the existence of forces beyond human comprehension.
The Legacy of History: The Crucible transcends its historical setting to raise timeless questions about human nature, justice, and the dangers of fanaticism. By examining the events of the Salem witch trials, Miller encourages readers to engage in critical thinking about the potential for history to repeat itself and the importance of learning from past mistakes.
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Questions and Answers about The Crucible Plot
What is the short summary of The Crucible? Salem, Massachusetts, 1692. A small group of girls 'cry out' against other people in the town, accusing them of witchcraft, in an attempt to cover up their own dabblings in the occult. Led by Abigail Williams, the girls' accusations cause a court to be formed to investigate the alleged crimes.
What is the main point of The Crucible? Summary. The Crucible, Arthur Miller's 1953 realist play, is based on the historical events of the 1692 Salem witch hunts. Although partially fictionalised, it depicts the very real consequences of false accusations based on blind religious faith, as Miller displays the dangers of such baseless rumours.
What is The Crucible novel about? The Crucible is a dark and chilling play studying the events leading up to the 1692 Salem witch trials. Based on true people and events, the story revolves around the accused and the accusing, and their fates.
What is the moral message of The Crucible? The play was originally written as a direct criticism of McCarthyism, the practice of making accusations without proper regard for evidence. Therefore, the main idea of the play is to encourage people to remain calm during crisis situations and to not jump to the worst conclusions.
Why is the story called The Crucible? A "crucible" is a severe test or trial, which is exactly what happens in the play. Miller intended "The Crucible" as an allegory to McCarthyism. The events that took place during the time the play was written were very similar to the Salem witch hunts.
What are the symbols of The Crucible? The three main symbols of The Crucible are the poppet, the gavel, and the hunt for witches that occurs throughout the play. This play is meant to illustrate the danger of making unwarranted accusations.
How did The Crucible end? The Crucible ends with John Proctor marching off to a martyr's death. By refusing to lie and confess to witchcraft, he sacrifices his life in the name of truth. At the end of the play, Proctor has in some way regained his goodness.
Why is The Crucible a good story? Arthur Miller's play The Crucible gives readers a history lesson on multiple levels. The story takes place in Salem, MA, beginning in spring 1692, and offers a telling portrayal of American colonial life at that time.
How is irony used in The Crucible? When Elizabeth is asked why she fired Abigail Williams, she does not point to the adultery. Thus, she lies. The dramatic irony in this scene rests in the knowledge that John has already confessed. As the audience watches Elizabeth fail her test, the irony causes great chaos and shock.
Is The Crucible a love story? It's about the power of love. Love between husband and wife, love for the other, forgiveness, love of truth, and love of one's own soul and one's own good name.