'The Crucible' was written by Arthur Miller in America in the early 1950's. It is a historical play based on events in American history surrounding the Salem Witch Trials of the seventeenth century. It takes place in a small Puritan village in the colony of Massachusetts in 1692. The witchcraft trials, grew out of the particular moral system of the Puritans, which promoted interference in others' affairs as well as a repressive code of conduct that frowned on any diversion from norms of behavior. Nineteen men and women were hanged at Gallows Hill near Salem, while another man, Giles Corey, was stoned to death for refusing to submit to a trial on witchcraft charges. Hundreds of other persons faced accusations of witchcraft and dozens more languished in jail without trials. By the early autumn of 1692, the cries of witchcraft began to ebb and doubts began to develop concerning the validity of the charges. Soon, the educated elite of the colony began efforts to end the witch-hunting hysteria that had enveloped Salem.…
Of the over 40,000 words brilliantly crafted into a story, only two are able of capturing the meaning of Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible. Set in Salem, Massachusetts during the witch trials, Miller depicts the town and the strong puritan values vested in its people. When accusations of witchcraft run ravage through the streets, such puritan purity is in question. The Crucible is a fitting title for Arthur Miller’s play.The English noun crucible symbolizes Salem, the trials and the resulting changes that occur.…
The Crucible is a book written by Arthur Miller in the 1950’s. The book describes events of paranoia in the form of witchcraft, and trial. This book was written during the McCarthy Era, which, as defined by http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mccarthyism?s=t, was the government, amongst others, making unsupported claims of people being communist. The Crucible was based on the witch trials of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, in which central european countries would trial, torture, and kill tens of thousands of men and women across the continent.…
The definition of crucible is a severe test or trial. Arthur Miller skillfully uses this word to describe the 16th century, Salem inspired, witch trial based play, The Crucible. Handling the chaos of the courts in Salem became an accomplishment in its self. The characters also endured a test of strength by deciphering between what is best for themselves or their friends. Three characters that undergo many tests of emotional strength and stability in this play are John Proctor, the protagonist, Elizabeth whom is John’s upright and composed wife, and Reverend Hale the supernatural expert with a vendetta against witches.…
Crucible. One word. Three syllables. Two definitions: “a container for purifying metals” and “a severe test.” When applying this dual meaning to the Salem Witch Trials’ havoc, the title’s cleverness becomes apparent; Arthur Miller’s selection is fitting. Both definitions are suitable for the play because its characters are refined to their core elements as well as given the ultimate test.…
The Crucible was about the Salem witch trials in the 1600’s. Witchcraft is the practice of black magic, which uses spells and the invocation of evil spirits. A crucible is a metal container used to melt down metals and separate the valuable from the less valuable. It also means a difficult situation where people are severely tested.The title of Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible is symbolic of both of these words. In act one Abigail Williams was the most responsible for the chaotic situation that occurred in Salem in the 1600’s.…
The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, takes inspiration from the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s. It focuses on the Salem Witch Trials which took place from 1692 to 1693 in colonial Massachusetts. The play includes themes of deception and jealousy leading to hysteria among the people of Salem. The accusations of people being witches causes the need for heavy investigation. This is where Reverend Hale, a young minister of Beverly, comes in. Due to his extensive knowledge of such subjects, he is summoned by the people of Salem to determine if witchcraft is truly responsible for the recent happenings in Salem. Throughout the course of events in The Crucible, Reverend Hale gradually transitions from being confident to being remorseful through his…
The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is a partially fictitious rendering of the colonial witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts. The Puritanical society creates characters of strong moral compasses, but who also take the Devil as seriously as they take God. All sins are severely punished and supernatural reports and behavior are not taken lightly. The play begins with Reverend Parris speaking about his discovery of his niece, daughter, and other village girls dancing in the woods over a fire. His daughter, Betty, has mysteriously fallen ill since the dancing was discovered. This occurrence sparks rumors of witchcraft around the village. Parris’ niece, Abigail, obsessed with her…
Another definition of a “Crucible” is, “A severe, searching test or trial.” This is my favorite definition and the one that relates to the story the most. All the characters in the story are all being tested. The big test that they all face is whether or not they will conform to social norms. Many of the characters in the story don’t pass the test, granted some were tested more harshly than others; they were all made to jump over the same brick wall.…
The title of this play is a good choice because it has a double meaning. A crucible is a situation in which someone or something is severely tested. It also is a container used in the process of heating and melting metals to separate the valuable metals from the not so valuable. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Abigail is most responsible for the chaotic witchcraft situation by the end of act 1 in Salem, Massachusetts.…
According to the Encarta® World English Dictionary, a definition for the word crucible is a place or set of circumstances where people or things are subjected to forces that test them and often make them change. In the drama The Crucible by Arthur Miller, various citizens of Salem, Massachusetts face the witch trials. Victims were tried and convicted based on only spectral evidence. John Proctor, Giles Corey, and Reverend Hale were a few among the many that went through these severe tests, hardships and trials.…
When considering the title of the play “The Crucible” and the first definition in the Webster’s dictionary, one may gain insight into Arthur Miller’s title selection. Crucible is a vessel used for melting at a high degree of heat. The village of Salem can be compared to this. The village was a very strict Puritan village.…
A crucible is a severe test as of patience or belief, a trial. Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible is a journey through the trials of many townspeople caused by suspicions of witchcraft. As the story progresses, people’s words and actions cause Reverend John Hale to change his views on whether the people prosecuted were guilty or innocent of witchcraft. As numerous events and their consequences unfold, they cause Hale to rethink his initial views on witchcraft and to be persuaded of the innocence of those convicted in Salem.…
The Crucible was written by a written by Arthur Miller. This book is about the Salem Witch trials in the 1600's. There was an emphasis on braking the Ten Commandments with in the characters of this book The Crucible. Three characters that broke the Ten Commandments that were emphasized in the book were Abigail William, Reverend Parris, and John Proctor. These were the people that broke some of the commandments that were main character in the story.…
Justice is meant to be administered with the upmost fairness and equality, although Aurther Millers play The Crucible demonstrates that this does not always prevail, and in numerous circumstances the forces of injustices are exposed. Those appointed to administer justice often misuse their power resulting in a lack of justice. The judges in the court of Salam do not deliver justice fairly and accuse those who are innocent without any tangible evidence. In addition, Justice failed to protect the individuals of Salam and instead was blinded by their personal jealousies, vengeance, fear and greed.…
