What does the crucible say about authority?
Arthur Miller with three examples: The church’s authority over the villagers’ lives, Abigail’s authority over the people who are accused of witch craft and her friends in the trial, and the judge’s authority over the trials he shows us that too much power is a destructive and deadly force in the lives of individuals …
Who has power in the crucible?
In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, there is one person that has power over everyone in Salem, Massachusetts. When thinking of powerful people, few would think of a young girl, but in The Crucible Abigail Williams has the most power.
How does fear play a role in The Crucible?
Again, fear plays a big role in The Crucible. Abigail and John are afraid that their reputations will be ruined by their affair. Abigail and the other girls are afraid of being caught experimenting with witchcraft. A town filled with irrational fears is ripe for vengeance, lies, and widespread panic.
What is the ultimate meaning or message of the crucible?
One of the main messages of “The Crucible” is that mob mentality in any situation, religious or political, leads to thoughtless (and therefore unethical and illogical) actions. In this play, those actions lead to the persecution of innocent people.
What is the main point of the crucible?
In The Crucible, the idea of goodness is a major theme. Almost every character is concerned with the concept of goodness, because their religion teaches them that the most important thing in life is how they will be judged by God after they die.
What is the crucible an allegory of?
A Modern-Day Witch Hunt Accused of communism by a government committee led by Republican Senator Joseph P. McCarthy, playwright Arthur Miller fired back with The Crucible. This play is an allegory, or metaphor, that compares McCarthyism to the Salem witch trials.
What is Mccarthyism?
Today it is the practice of making accusations of subversion or treason, especially when related to communism, without proper regard for evidence.
How does the relationship between John and Elizabeth change throughout the play?
John and Elizabeth have a strained relationship. Elizabeth does not trust John since she learned of the affair John had with Abigail. Elizabeth is having trouble forgiving John. Their relationship is a cold one.
What do we learn about the relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor as the act opens?
What do you know about the relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor from the opening dialogue and stage action of act 2? We know there is tension they are trying to reconcile from John’s affair with Abigail. She has power over John Proctor because of their affair. She knows she can “blackmail” him.
Why is Mary Warren so afraid of Abigail?
Mary is afraid of telling the truth about Abigail because she thinks that Abigail will accuse her of witchery and then she will end up in jail awaiting a trial. Also, if she tells the truth, then she would be going against the young girl’s group dynamic and then risk being accused.
Does Mary Warren believe in witchcraft?
Mary Ann Warren was the oldest accuser during the 1692 Salem witch trials, being 18 years old when the trials began. She was a servant for John and Elizabeth Proctor. Renouncing her claims after being threatened to be hanged, she was later arrested for allegedly practicing witchcraft herself, but did not confess.
Why does Mary Warren refuse testify?
She knows full well that Abigail’s made up the whole witchcraft business, but she daren’t let on. When John pleads with her to testify against Abigail, Mary flatly refuses, saying that Abigail will turn against her immediately and falsely accuse her of being a witch instead.