An overview of the witch trials in the crucible a play by arthur miller

Still, there are difficulties with interpreting The Crucible as a strict allegorical treatment of s McCarthyism. Within a few weeks, dozens of people were in jail on charges of witchcraft.

The crucible summary

Parris is unhappy with his salary and living conditions as minister, and accuses Proctor of heading a conspiracy to oust him from the church. As the curtain closes, the three continue with their accusations as Hale orders the arrest of the named people and sends for judges to try them. Old grudges and jealousies spilled out into the open, fueling the atmosphere of hysteria. Towards the end of the play, he is betrayed by his niece Abigail and begins receiving death threats from angry relatives of the condemned. He then orders that all ninety-one persons named in the deposition be arrested for questioning. This character can be interpreted in many ways. Although Abigail enjoys being the chief witness of the court, her chief desire is to obtain Proctor, and she will do anything to bring this about, including self-mutilation and murder. Cheever is unconvinced and prepares to arrest Elizabeth. When John Proctor's wife found out, she sent Abigail away from their home. In short, the "magic" of this play will come from the supporting cast. When Danforth threatens him with arrest for contempt , Giles argues that he cannot be arrested for "contempt of a hearing. Continue Reading. Abigail then sees her chance to stir up an enormous amount of mayhem.

He calls Hale a coward and asks him why the accusers' every utterance goes unchallenged. Miller captured the events in a riveting story that is now considered a modern classic in the theater. Hale criticizes the decision and demands to know why the accused are forbidden to defend themselves.

The crucible sparknotes

Proctor provides an excellent example. Hale confronts Tituba, Reverend Parris' slave from Barbados, pressuring her to admit her association with the Devil. Danforth, Hathorne, and a relieved Parris ask John to testify to the guilt of the other hold-outs and the executed. Like Abigail, a hidden agenda guides Putnam, namely his greed for land. But the trial court and religious authorities demand undivided loyalty. Abigail vehemently denies it. Arthur Miller, the mastermind behind the sad and heartbreaking play The Crucible succeeds in telling a story of the complicated relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor. When asked to reveal the source of his information, Giles refuses, fearing that he or she will also be arrested. The conflict intensifies during the play's final act. From a literary standpoint, the story and characters are easy to comprehend. Abigail has accused her of witchcraft and attempted murder via black magic and voodoo dolls. The afflicted girls accuse people in the town of witchcraft, often choosing victims who they or their families dislike.

Facing an imminent rebellion, Putnam and Parris frantically run out to beg Proctor to confess. The Massachusetts government and judicial system, heavily influenced by religion, rolled into action.

A respected farmer and husband, he has committed adultery with a seventeen-year-old girl Abigail. InMiller focused on delivering the story of the Salem witch trials as a broadly damning, tragic spirit of history at a time that its telling could not be easily brushed aside or compartmentalized.

She has had an affair with Proctor, who now refuses to continue the affair out of a mixture of guilt and loyalty to his wife. It would be hard to find a better playwright or script for almost any time.

An overview of the witch trials in the crucible a play by arthur miller

Witch hunts and false accusations resulted. They will come to understand the fears, desires, and disputes of this small Puritan town, and may come to relate to the people of Salem not as characters in a play, but as real people who lived and died, often in the face of cruelty and injustice. She leaps up, begins contorting wildly, and names Osborne and Good, as well as Bridget Bishop as having been "dancing with the devil". The two finally reconcile, with Elizabeth forgiving John and saddened by the thought that he cannot forgive himself and see his own goodness. When Danforth begins to question Abigail, she claims that Mary has begun to bewitch her with a cold wind and John loses his temper, calling Abigail a whore. Abigail, standing quietly in a corner, witnesses all of this. When asked to reveal the source of his information, Giles refuses, fearing that he or she will also be arrested. They urge Elizabeth to plead with John and the judge so that he might be spared. Is she a victim?

Yet, although he hides this fact from the rest of the community, he still values truth.

Download