overview

• What type of society is The Crucible set in?

  Theocratic society
• What is the religion practiced in The Crucible?

  Austere form of Protestantism known as Puritanism
• How do moral laws relate to state laws in The Crucible?

  Moral laws and state laws are the same
• What does deviation from social norms represent in Salem?

  A threat to public good and true religion
• What does Danforth say about loyalty to the court?

  A person is either with this court or against it
• What do the witch trials symbolize in The Crucible?

  The ultimate expression of intolerance
• How does hysteria affect the community in The Crucible?

  It supplants logic and fuels absurd beliefs
• What motivates townsfolk to participate in the hysteria?

  Genuine piety and repressed sentiments
• Who does Abigail accuse to gain power?

  Elizabeth Proctor
• How does Reverend Parris benefit from the hysteria?

  He strengthens his position in the village
• What does Thomas Putnam do during the hysteria?

  He seeks revenge on Francis Nurse
• What is the consequence of hysteria in Salem?

  It allows dark desires to surface
• Why is reputation important in Salem?

  Public and private moralities are the same
• How does Parris's fear relate to his reputation?

  He fears losing his position due to scandal
• What does John Proctor struggle to protect?

  His good name
• What choice does Proctor make at the end of the play?

  He refuses to make a false confession
• What does Proctor cry to Danforth in Act IV?

  I have given you my soul; leave me my name!
• How does the theme of goodness manifest in the characters?

  Characters want to be seen as good by others
• How does Reverend Hale's perception of goodness change?

  He realizes he must encourage false confessions
• What does Elizabeth Proctor realize about her role in John's affair?

  She feels partly to blame for his actions
• How does John Proctor's struggle with goodness conclude?

  He chooses honesty over falsehood
• What is Deputy Governor Danforth's approach to judgment?

  He is firm and resolute, even when wrong
• How does Hale's view of judgment evolve throughout the play?

  He learns the foolishness of judging others
• What class divisions exist in Salem?

  Men over women, white over people of color
• How does Tituba's status affect her actions?

  She confesses to survive the accusations
• What motivates the girls to accuse the weakest members of society?

  They sense no one will protect them
• How does property ownership influence characters' decisions?

  It drives them to make false accusations
• What does John Proctor reveal about his church attendance?

  He avoids church due to Parris's greed
• What does Giles Corey do to protect his land?

  He refuses to falsely confess
• How does the theme of justice manifest in Elizabeth Proctor's character?

  She struggles to forgive John for his affair
• How does Hale's understanding of justice change?

  He encourages false confessions for survival
• What are the consequences of John Proctor's affair with Abigail?

  It leads to accusations against Elizabeth
• What does Tituba hope to achieve with her false confession?

  To end her master's beatings
• How do the girls of Salem misuse their power?

  They accuse neighbors for personal gain
• What does the witch trial system rely on?

  Accusations and confessions
• How does Proctor's final decision impact the court?

  It leads to the court's collapse
• What does The Crucible symbolize in relation to McCarthyism?

  Paranoia about communism in the 1950s
• What parallels exist between the witch trials and McCarthyism?

  Narrow-mindedness and disregard for individuals
• What criticism has been made about Miller's portrayal of the witch trials?

  Oversimplifying the complexities of the era
• What is Miller's main concern in The Crucible?

  Not whether witches existed, but the consequences