Tag: Notes

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GCSE – The Crucible – Notes on the Assignment titles

The significance of the crucible title:

Define what a crucible is; how is it applicable to the events in Salem (tested and found either pure or wanting); why did Miller use the title – his own experiences; now discuss the characters who were tested and ‘found their goodness’ though they had to die for it they would not give in… and those who under testing gave in and either blamed others or confessed; still others took the opportunity to get even over small petty wrongs etc so those who died were ultimately the ones who found their purity, all those who survived even Elizabeth and Hale had not been strong enough to stand up to the hysteria and unfounded accusations.

John a hero?

Not at the start – why not? Abi and his relationship with Elizabeth, also his lack of regular attendance at church etc. his treatment of Mary Warren

Why did Miller relate most to Proctor? His own experiences. NB Miller changed the historical details quite significantly about this why? So why did Miller want Proctor to be this kind of man?

What factors changed Proctor’s mind and attitude? E’s accusation, his guilt, his horror at what Abi had unleashed and its potential. His disgust at the abuse of the church’s power. Could no longer stay silent – which is Miller’s central message about what can happen if we turn a blind eye.

How does he change? Admits his lechery; then calls the court and its officials and proceedings a charade; is amazed that Eliz chooses to lie for him realises she does love him; refuses to confess, then changes his mind – why? Then tears up confession – why?

Hero because?… sacrifice…

Characters who change or don’t.

Look at notes above for crucible appropriate title – discuss the reasons which came about for the changes, social factors, historical, cultural, religious, also discuss Miller’s own experiences and why he felt motivated to write the play. He wanted to explore the reasons why human history is littered with appalling incidents like these and why we let them happen. What is it about human nature that often wont stand up and be counted in objection to some form of abuse of power. (look at Guantanamo Bay in our era!!)

Who changes: John Proctor, Elizabeth P; Giles; all these for the better – Hale – for better and worse, not so arrogant or convinced of the infallibility of the trials or religious knowledge but a broken man for reasons of his guilt.

But not Rebecca, (the only totally pure soul the whole time), the Putnams, Abigail, Parris or the judges who despite perhaps inner misgivings daren’t let Proctor show the trials to be the travesty they are.

The play is a study in human motivation.

Read the above and crucible significant title notes; also refer to Miller’s own experiences and Senator McCarthy’s motives…

Discuss who has motives in the play: bring in the social, historical and cultural background.

Parris wants power and security; Putnam land and power; his wife wants revenge; Abi wants revenge and power over all those who have slighted her; Danforth and Hathorne want to retain their power; but also John Proctor is motivated by his love for Elizabeth, his guilt and finally his desire to do what is right. Elizabeth is motivated by her feelings of inadequacy and lack of worth but eventually by her need to show John that she does love him.

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Notes about the Salem era

  • Attitude to children – innocent empty vessels, young adults; misguided never capable of evil having not learned it yet.
  • No reading of novels; self-denial; no vain pursuits; their time was bounded by their duties to the church and to God.
  • Very harsh life; Sundays only day off and expected to go to church; attendance record kept. Services of unlimited length.
  • Power of the church was absolute and unquestioned; inquisitions in England and Europe had left legacy of fear despite them having fled to America.
  • Small windowed houses as climate very harsh.
  • Indian threat and the forest – dwindling now, but past massacres (Abigail’s parents) envoys of the devil because of the unknownness and its vastness.
  • Land lust
  • Hidden feelings; petty jealousies.

Motivations of characters:

Putnam: Parris not his choice of minister, his brother-in-law was; he is rich and powerful in land terms but not popular and often obstructed.

Mrs Putnam: Has buried 7 babies and never forgotten that Goody Nurse has many children and grandchildren and not lost one.

Abigail: Rejection by Proctor; fury at Elizabeth’s treatment of her; and a sudden lust for power and control!

Giles: A querulous sort; ‘been in court 33 time’; reasonably recently married and not being a reader himself is suspicious of his wife’s reading; likes to be the centre of attention; easily offended, deaf but naïve, misguided.

Parris: Knows he is unpopular; rather worldly (see his early moan about not getting paid enough and Proctor’s complaint that Parris wants the deed to his house and golden candlesticks); becomes a willing accomplice of Abigail’s lust for vengeance as he sees his enemies fall; later realises that the villagers still won’t like or trust him especially as people they really respected refuse to confess. Hence John and Rebecca’s confessions would be his vindication if he could get them.

Proctor: Despises Parris as a greedy ungodly man; regrets his lust for Abigail but still has feelings for her as seen in his reluctance to go early on to Salem and denounce her. In the end he has to admit his lechery to counter her ‘goodness’ and even that doesn’t work.

Hathorne: Arrogant like John Hale in his confidence in his justice and righteousness. Has ambitions. Has been ’32 year at the bar.’ Ends up with too much invested in the trials and deaths to be able to tackle Abigail. Loses everything when the verdicts are over turned later.