what was the crucible based on

What is the Crucible really about?

The Crucible, is about the abuse of power and authority. It is about persecuting others and destroying their lives without having substantial proof of their guilt. It is about convicting the innocent based on assumptions, rumour and gossip without presenting actual proof.

What is a crucible and what is it used for?

Crucible is used in the laboratory to contain chemical compounds when heated to extremely high temperatures. Crucibles are available in several sizes and typically come with a correspondingly-sized lid. When heated over a flame, the crucible is often held inside a pipeclay triangle which itself is held on top of a tripod.

What is the best material for a crucible?

What are the best crucibles?

• USA Cast Master Deluxe Kit Furnace – Best crucible for melting copper overall.
• Nisorpa Durable Foundry Silicon – Best crucible for melting copper for sturdy model.
• PMC Supplies LLC Clay Graphite Foundry Crucible – Best crucible for melting copper for casting process.

What was the evidence against Sarah Good in Crucible?

What evidence is there against Sarah Good? The Proctors learn from Mary, who attended the first day of the trials in Salem, that the "evidence" against Sarah Good was that she could not recite "a single one" of the Ten Commandments after being accused of bewitching several of the girls.

See more

What inspired The Crucible?

During the tense era of McCarthyism, celebrated playwright Arthur Miller was inspired to write a drama reflecting the mass cultural and political hysteria produced when the U.S. government sought to suppress Communism and radical leftist activity in America.

Is The Crucible based on true events?

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.

What is the concept of The Crucible?

A crucible is a container made of a substance that can resist great heat ; a crucible is also defined as a severe test. Within the context of the play the term takes on a new meaning: not only is the crucible a test, but a test designed to bring about change or reveal an individual's true character.

Is The Crucible a fictional story?

In using a real-life setting, real people, and historically accurate details to tell a fictional story, The Crucible is also an example of historical fiction.

Is Arthur Miller still alive?

February 10, 2005Arthur Miller / Date of death

Who are the real witches in The Crucible?

Through the exponentially frightening torments of these women, some clear details emerged: they were all being tormented by three local women who had the power of witchcraft: Tituba, a West Indian enslaved by Reverend Parris; Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne—middle-aged housewives who were not particularly beloved by the ...

What is The Crucible a metaphor for?

A crucible is a piece of laboratory equipment used to heat chemical compounds to very high temperatures or to melt metal. It's a little container full of violent reactions. Seems like a pretty good metaphor for the violent hysteria that the little village of Salem contained during the witch trials.

What message is Arthur Miller trying to convey in The Crucible?

Arthur Miller wanted to send a message about intolerance and hysteria in "The Crucible." He wanted to highlight how both can lead to being illogical and inhumane towards people. In the play, people lose their freedom and lives because they do not conform to norms and because people are swept away by fear and anxiety.

Who caused hysteria in The Crucible?

In the Crucible by Arthur Miller, Abigail Williams is to blame for the mass hysteria in Salem because she wants to be with John Proctor, she tries to kill Elizabeth, and she tries to save her name. Abigail is to blame for the mass hysteria in Salem because she wants to be with John Proctor.

Who is the tragic hero of The Crucible?

John ProctorIn a sense, The Crucible has the structure of a classical tragedy, with John Proctor as the play's tragic hero. Honest, upright, and blunt-spoken, Proctor is a good man, but one with a secret, fatal flaw.

What caused the Salem witch trials?

The infamous Salem witch trials began during the spring of 1692, after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft.

Who was hanged in The Crucible?

The final execution date was September 22, 1692, on which eight were hanged (Mary Eastey, Martha Corey, Ann Pudeator, Samuel Wardwell, Mary Parker, Alice Parker, Wilmot Redd and Margaret Scott).

Why is The Crucible not historically accurate?

At the beginning of the published version of his play, Miller included a small section titled “A Note on the Historical Accuracy of the Play.” This note listed many of the inaccuracies within the story, including the difference in Abigail's age (she was only 11, not 17), the loss of many of the judges in the story ( ...

Was Abigail Williams a real person?

Abigail Williams (born c. 1681, date of death unknown) was an 11- or 12-year-old girl who, along with nine-year-old Betty Parris, was among the first of the children to falsely accuse their neighbors of witchcraft in 1692; these accusations eventually led to the Salem witch trials.

What happened to Elizabeth Proctor in real life?

In spite of the petitions and testimonies from friends, both John and Elizabeth were found guilty, and were sentenced to death on August 5, 1692. Elizabeth, who was pregnant at the time, was granted a stay of execution until after the birth of the baby.

Who wrote the Crucible?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. For other uses, see The Crucible (disambiguation). The Crucible 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.

What is the setting of the Salem Witch Trials?

Salem witch trials, McCarthyism. Genre. Tragedy. Setting. Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Crucible 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.

How old was Abigail Williams in the Crucible?

Abigail Williams' age was increased from 11 or 12 to 17, probably to add credence to the backstory of Proctor's affair with Abigail. John Proctor himself was 60 years old in 1692, but portrayed as much younger in the play, for the same reason.

What did Cheever find in Elizabeth's table?

Cheever picks up the poppet on Elizabeth's table and finds a needle inside. He informs John that Abigail had a pain-induced fit earlier that evening and a needle was found stuck into her stomach; Abigail claimed that Elizabeth stabbed her with the needle through witchcraft, using a poppet as a conduit.

What is the setting of Act 2 of The Proctors?

The remainder of Act Two is set in the Proctors‘ home. John and Elizabeth are incredulous that nearly forty people have been arrested for witchcraft based on the pronouncements of Abigail and the other girls. John knows their apparent possession and accusations of witchcraft are untrue, as Abigail told him as much when they were alone together in the first act, but is unsure of how to confess without revealing the affair. Elizabeth is disconcerted to learn her husband was alone with Abigail. She believes John still lusts after Abigail and tells him that as long as he does, he will never redeem himself.

What is the narrator's theory about the colony?

The narrator speculates that the lack of civil liberties, isolation from civilization, and lack of stability in the colony caused latent internal tensions which would contribute to the events depicted in the play. The remainder of Act One is set in the attic of local preacher Reverend Samuel Parris.

Who played John Proctor in the play?

The play has been presented several times on television. A 1968 production starred George C. Scott as John Proctor, Colleen Dewhurst (Scott's wife at the time) as Elizabeth Proctor, Melvyn Douglas as Thomas Danforth, and Tuesday Weld as Abigail Williams.

What is the Crucible about?

Inspired by the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s, Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, focuses on the inconsistencies of the Salem witch trials and the extreme behavior that can result from dark desires and hidden agendas. Miller bases the play on the historical account of the Salem witch trials. In particular he focuses on the discovery ...

What is the meaning of the Crucible?

Within the context of the play the term takes on a new meaning: not only is the crucible a test, but a test designed to bring about change or reveal an individual's true character. The witch trials serve as a metaphorical crucible, which burns away the characters' outer shells to reveal their true intentions and character beneath. Throughout the play, Miller carefully peels away the layers of each character so that the audience not only can identify the character's motivation, but also can reevaluate the character through his or her actions. In other words, the audience observes the character as he or she is tested, and the audience ultimately determines if he or she passes the test.

How did Miller change the Salem Witch Trials?

Reading about the Salem witch trials and the paranoid frenzy going on at the time is one thing, but witnessing the trials first hand is quite another experience. Miller permits the audience to do just that by transforming the faceless names from history into living, breathing characters with desires, emotions, and freewill. Miller did make adjustments to the ages, backgrounds, and occupations of several of the individuals mentioned in the historical records, however. For example, he lowers the age gap between John Proctor and Abigail Williams from sixty and eleven, respectively, to thirty-five and seventeen, enabling the plot line of an affair between the two. Proctor and his wife Elizabeth ran an inn as well as a farm, but Miller eliminates this detail. Proctor's friend Giles Corey was actually pressed to death a month after Proctor's execution; however, Miller juxtaposes his death and Proctor's. Finally, Miller chose to omit the fact that Proctor had a son who was also tortured during the witch trials because he refused to confess to witchcraft.

How does the play Abigail affect audiences?

The play continues to affect audiences by allowing them to see how dark desires and hidden agendas can be played out. Abigail is a young woman who seizes an opportunity to reverse fate. 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.

Why did Miller remove Act 2 Scene 2?

The original version of the play included an encounter between John Proctor and Abigail in the woods; however, Miller chose to remove Act II, Scene 2, as it changed the dynamics of the play. This scene is generally included in the appendix of publications, but is rarely included in production of the play.

How many people were executed in the Salem court?

By the end of 1692, the Salem court had convicted and executed nineteen men and women. Miller creates an atmosphere and mood within the play reminiscent of the historical period and of Puritan culture. The inhabitants of Salem lived in a restrictive society.

What was the dark period in American history?

On one hand Miller addresses a particularly dark period in American history — a time in which society believed the Devil walked the streets of Salem and could become manifest in anyone, even a close neighbor or, worse yet, a family member.

Why did Arthur Miller write Crucible?

Arthur Miller wrote Crucible in the mid 20th century as a parallel to the ‘witch hunt’ against communists and people with left wing views led by senator McCarthy in the 1950s. This involved making anyone with anything near to communist views made unemployable so that America wasn’t ‘taken over’ by communism.

What is the main tension and drama building decision made by John Proctor?

The main tension and drama building decision made by John Proctor is in Act 4: after being put in jail for not admitting to being a witch when accused, Danforth comes to see John, to supposedly set him free. All John has to do to be freed and not go to be hung on that very same day is to sign a piece of paper that says he admits to being a witch. Despite being advised by the comforting and wise Reverend Hail, he will not give Danforth the signed document. “But it’s my name!” He makes a conscious decision to keep his self-respect, which is what a ‘hero’ in most stories and plays tries to achieve.

Why did Proctor not go to church?

But Proctor had a good reason, which was that he hated the way the Reverend Parris ran the ceremony . Not going set him aside as rouge and because of this conflict Proctor had with religion he increased the tension, as this is how the majority of tension is created in a play.

What are the three things that can be determined by the play write apart from the script?

In any play there are three things that can be determined by the play write apart from the script: the stage directions, the set, and the lighting. Miller has given directions very specifically on all three of these so that the play looks near to exactly as he first envisioned it to be and to keep the tension in the play working as it should.

Why does the language change in the courtroom scene 3?

In the courtroom scene 3 the language changes to a much more formal version of this same dialect, mainly because of the presence of the judges who lived in another town and were unknown by the majority of people. Therefore the tension can build up more easily but since it is in a courtroom the people are unable to take the step onwards to climax this tension and so it just increases throughout the scene.

When was the first Crucible movie made?

The first film was in 1957, directed by Raymond Rouleau and the second was in 1996, starring Winona Ryder and Daniel Day-Lewis. As we look at a summary of each of the four acts in "The Crucible," notice how Miller adds plot twists with a complex array of characters. It is historical fiction, based on documentation of the famous trials ...

Why do Hale and John Proctor try to solicit confessions from the prisoners?

Therefore, he and Hale have been trying to solicit confessions from the prisoners in order to spare them from the hangman’s noose. Rebecca Nurse and the other prisoners choose not to lie, even at the cost of their lives. John Proctor, however, does not want to die like a martyr. He wants to live.

Why does Abigail want to remove Elizabeth Proctor?

Since then, Abigail has been scheming to remove Elizabeth Proctor so that she can claim John to herself. Reverend Hale, a self-proclaimed specialist in the art of detecting witches, enters the Parris household. John Proctor is quite skeptical of Hale’s purpose and soon leaves for home.

What happens if John Proctor signs a confession?

Judge Danforth states that if John Proctor signs a written confession his life will be saved. John reluctantly agrees. They also pressure him to implicate others, but John is unwilling to do this. Once he signs the document, he refuses to hand over the confession.

What does John Proctor call Abigail?

They defy the truth that Mary Warren tries to reveal. This charade angers John Proctor and, in a violent outburst, he calls Abiga il a harlot. He reveals their affair. Abigail vehemently denies it. John swears that his wife can confirm the affair. He emphasizes that his wife never lies.

How many members of the community have been executed for witchcraft?

Twelve members of the community have been executed for witchcraft. Many others, including Tituba and Rebecca Nurse, sit in jail, awaiting hanging. Elizabeth is still incarcerated, but since she is pregnant she won’t be executed for at least another year. The scene reveals a very distraught Reverend Parris.

Where is the act set?

Set in Proctor’s home , the act begins by showing the daily life of John and Elizabeth. The protagonist has returned from seeding his farmland. Here, their dialogue reveals that the couple is still coping with tension and frustration relative to John's affair with Abigail. Elizabeth cannot yet trust her husband. Likewise, John has not yet forgiven himself.

Why is the Crucible important?

It is an important subject when writing about inconsistencies and judgment in our society. The Crucible is a great reflection of various political agendas, religion, and social bias. Reading through the play, we are also looking at ourselves, which is why the book can be compared to any social injustice or any act where stereotypes have been used. You can use this book as a way to implement quotes when comparing anything from cheating to honesty.

What is the theme of the Crucible?

The Themes of Revenge, Power of Lies and Reputation in "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller. Revenge can be taken in many different ways, such as fights, lies , arguments, etc. In Arthur Miller’s Crucible, the theme of revenge plays a major role.

Why are the characters in The Crucible convicted of witchcraft?

In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, numerous characters are convicted of witchcraft because one character, Abigail Williams, wanted John Proctor all to herself. Most of the citizens... Topics: Confession, Elizabeth Proctor, Mass hysteria, MWitchcraft, People of the Salem witch trials, Salem witch trials.

Where did the Crucible vs McCarthyism take place?

The Crucible vs. McCarthyism During the early 1690s in Salem, Massachusetts, witch trials took place. Salem was a Puritan society at the time, which meant that there was a strict moral code that encompassed Puritan lifestyle. The notion of the Devil brought fear to Puritans...

Why was Reverend Hale sent to Salem?

In The Crucible, Reverend Hale is sent to Salem to deal with an alleged outbreak of witchcraft. At the beginning of the play, Hale is a confidant man,... Topics: Abigail Williams, Bench, Court, Creon, Devil, Faith, Hell, John Proctor, Judge, Jury.

What is the theme of Arthur Miller's Crucible?

In Arthur Miller’s Crucible, the theme of revenge plays a major role. He based this book on the Salem Witch Trials which took place in the early 1950’s. All the... Topics:

How many pages are there in The Crucible?

The Crucible 4 Pages. When The Crucible opened on January 22, 1953, audiences greeted it with lukewarm applause. Critics did what they do best by berating the new play. What is now arguably the most influential allegorical play on the subject of Communism written during the Cold War era,...

What is the historical context of the Crucible?

3-Historical Context. The Crucible remains charged in terms of its historical setting as well as the historical context in which it was written. During the 1950’s in America, McCarthyism arose as a judicial doctrine antagonizing any Americans suspected of sympathizing with Communist ideas. This doctrine led to the formation ...

Why was the Crucible criticised?

The Crucible faced criticism because “while there were no witches in Salem, there were Communists in Washington.”. [12] This reality would touch Miller in a very personal way through the testimony of his friend, Elia Kazan. Elia Kazan (right) was a close collaborator and personal friend of Arthur Miller.

Why did the Salem Witch Trials showcase McCarthyism?

The Salem witch trials showcase this spectacle because both McCarthyism (cartoon shown left) and the trials involved law and order where “failure to defend oneself against incrimination was considered proof of seditious activities against the state.”.

What was McCarthy's purification?

McCarthy’s purification acted to suppress the fundamental liberties which the United State had been built upon. Miller saw through the hearings to legislation which gave a tenuous constitutional backing to legalize the new witch hunt that plagued the 1950’s.

When was Arthur Miller forced to testify?

Arthur Miller avoided subpoena to HUAC until 1956, when he was forced to testify on June 21, three years after the premiere of his allegorical work, The Crucible. [4] .

Who is Elia Kazan in The Crucible?

Miller’s contemporary, Elia Kazan, serves as another historical agent who shows just why The Crucible was written.

Did the Salem witch trials have justification?

Of course, the Salem witch trials underwent the same cycle of persecution, but with far less need for justification. In the defense of God’s law, the judges portrayed in The Crucible had no qualms about executing anyone they chose at will. [8] .

Who wrote the Crucible?

It was adapted as an opera by Robert Ward , which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1962.

What year was the Crucible?

The Crucible. (1996 film) This article is about the film by Nicholas Hytner. For the film by Raymond Rouleau, see The Crucible (1957 film). The Crucible is a 1996 American historical drama film written by Arthur Miller adapting his 1953 play of the same title, inspired by the Salem witchcraft trials. It was directed by Nicholas Hytner and stars ...

What does Parris ask Abigail about the events in the woods?

Parris questions Abigail about the events in the woods; Betty will not awaken, nor will Thomas and Ann Putnam 's daughter Ruth, who was also dancing. This upsets Mrs. Putnam hard as she previously had seven other children who died at childbirth. Giles Corey, who suspects that the children are just acting out, and John Proctor, with whom Abigail had an affair and whose wife she wants dead, also visit the Parris household. Abigail still loves Proctor, but Proctor has realized his mistake and left her. Believing Betty and Ruth to be demonically possessed, the Putnams and Reverend Parris call Reverend John Hale from nearby Beverly to examine Betty. To save herself and the other girls from punishment, Abigail accuses Tituba of witchcraft. After being whipped, Tituba confesses to seeing the devil and is saved from being hanged. Struck by their new power, the other girls begin naming other women whom they "saw" with the devil.

Where was the Crucible filmed?

Much of the filming took place on Choate Island in Essex, Massachusetts .

Why does Abigail try to convince the court that Reverend Hale's wife is also a witch?

Abigail attempts to convince the court that Reverend Hale's wife is also a witch (because Hale was the lone official in the court who doubted her claims); however, this plot backfires as the judges do not believe her , because a minister's wife is considered to be pure.

Why does John confess to having an affair with Abigail?

To demonstrate that Abigail is not innocent, John confesses to having had an affair with her, claiming that Abigail accused Elizabeth in order to get rid of her so that she could marry him. Abigail denies the accusation to protect her reputation, so Elizabeth is called in to verify the accusation.

What happened in 1692?

Early one morning in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, a group of young village girls meet in the woods with a Barbadian slave named Tituba, attempting to conjure love spells for certain men in their town. One of the girls, Abigail Williams, kills a chicken and drinks its blood, wishing for John Proctor 's wife Elizabeth to die.

Where did the Crucible take place?

The Crucible, a historical play based on events of the Salem witchcraft trials, takes place in a small Puritan village in the colony of Massachusetts in 1692. The witchcraft trials, as Miller explains in a prose prologue to the play, 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.

What is the story of Betty and the Parris?

The play begins in the home of Reverend Samuel Parris, whose daughter, Betty, lays ill. Parris lives with his daughter and his seventeen-year old niece, Abigail Williams, an orphan who witnessed her parents' murder by the Indians. Parris has sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, believing his daughter's illness stems from supernatural explanations. Betty became ill when her father discovered her dancing in the woods with Abigail, Tituba (the Parris' slave from Barbados) and several other local girls. Already there are rumors that Betty's illness is due to witchcraft, but Parris tells Abigail that he cannot admit that he found his daughter and niece dancing like heathens in the forest. Abigail says that she will admit to dancing and accept the punishment, but will not admit to witchcraft. Abigail and Parris discuss rumors about the girls: when they were dancing one of the girls was naked, and Tituba was screeching gibberish. Parris also brings up rumors that Abigail's former employer, Elizabeth Proctor, believes that Abby is immoral.

What does John Hale tell the Proctors about Rebecca Nurse?

John Hale arrives. He tells the Proctors that Rebecca Nurse was charged, then questions Proctor on his churchgoing habits. Finally he makes Proctor state the ten commandments; he can remember nine of the ten, but Elizabeth must remind him of adultery. Proctor tells Hale what Abigail admitted about Parris discovering her in the woods, but Hale says that it must be nonsense, for so many have confessed to witchcraft. Proctor reminds him that these people would certainly confess, if denying it means that they be hanged. Hale asks Proctor whether he believes in witches, and he says that he does, but not those in Salem. Elizabeth denies all belief in witchcraft, for she believes that the devil cannot take a woman's soul if she is truly upright.

What does Ann Putnam tell Parris about Ruth?

Thomas and Ann Putnam arrive and tell Parris that their daughter, Ruth, is sick. Ann Putnam admits that she sent Ruth to Tituba, for Tituba knows how to speak to the dead and could find out who murdered her seven children, each of whom died during infancy. When the adults leave, Abigail discusses Betty's illness with Mercy Lewis and Mary Warren, the servants of the Putnams and the Proctors, respectively. Abigail threatens them, warning them not to say anything more than that they danced and Tituba conjured Ruth's sisters. John Proctor arrives to find Mary and send her home. He speaks with Abigail alone, and she admits to him about the dancing. In the past, John and Abigail had an affair, which is the reason why Elizabeth Proctor fired her. Abigail propositions John, but he sternly refuses her. When Betty hears people singing psalms from outside, she begins to shriek. Reverend Parris returns, and realizes that Betty cannot bear to hear the Lord's name.

Why does Parris confront Proctor?

Parris confronts Proctor because he has not been in church recently, but Proctor claims that Parris is too obsessed with damnation and never mentions God. Reverend John Hale arrives from Beverly, a scholarly man who looks for precise signs of the supernatural.

Why did Elizabeth fire Abigail?

Elizabeth, thinking that she is defending her husband, only claims that she fired Abigail because of poor work habits. Proctor cries out for Elizabeth to tell the truth, and Hale admits that Elizabeth's lie is a natural one to tell. Abigail then claims that Mary Warren's spirit is attacking her in the form of a bird.

What does Elizabeth tell John about Betty's sickness?

Elizabeth tells John that she must tell Ezekiel Cheever, the constable, that Abigail admitted that Betty's sickness has nothing to do with witchcraft, but Proctor admits that nobody will believe him because he was alone with Abigail at the time.

Where did the Crucible take place?

The Crucible. The Crucible is based on historical events, and thus, reflects the real setting where the Salem witch trials took place: Salem, Massachusetts, a little town on a bay on the north coast of Massachusett s that still exists today. The real witch trials began in February of 1692 and lasted until May of 1693.

What is Salem called in the play?

In the play, Salem is called a “town” but really was what we’d think of as a village today, with a meeting house, a tavern, perhaps a store, and a few houses. Salem had been established fewer than forty years before, and existed mostly to produce and ship products to England.

What amenities did the townspeople have?

The townspeople had few amenities: they produced almost everything they had, from cloth to food to medicine . Houses were basic and very rustic, barely keeping out the New England cold. To the north and east was the bay, and to the west and south, farmland.

Was Salem a colony?

In 1692, what we today call New England was still an English colony, founded by the Puritans around 1630. They had arrived seeking religious liberty, having been persecuted in England.

Is The Crucible Historically accurate?

• Arthur Miller never claimed that The Crucible was historically accurate and in the print edition of his play he even included a “Note on Historical Accuracy of the Play” during which he points out some of the changes he made to the story and explained why he made them. The note states: I…

See more on historyofmassachusetts.org

Why Did Miller Make These Changes?

Why Is It Important to Note The Differences?

Overview

Synopsis

The opening narration explains the context of Salem and the Puritan colonists of Massachusetts, which the narrator depicts as an isolated theocratic society in constant conflict with Native Americans. The narrator speculates that the lack of civil liberties, isolation from civilization, and lack of stability in the colony caused latent internal tensions which would contribute to the events depicted in the play.

Characters (in order of appearance)

Originality

Historical accuracy

Adaptations

Editions

See also