How does the definition of crucible relate to the play?
5 min read
Asked by: Simon Ventura
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.
How does the word crucible relate to the play?
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 does crucible symbolize in this play?
The Witch Trials and McCarthyism
There is little symbolism within The Crucible, but, in its entirety, the play can be seen as symbolic of the paranoia about communism that pervaded America in the 1950 s.
Why is crucible a relevant title for the play?
What is the significance of the title in The Crucible? The title of The Crucible effectively helps us to understand the play in a deeper and more thorough way as the definitions of the noun ‘crucible’ reflects the themes of the play such as moral, reputation, courage, righteousness, hysteria and truth.
What is a crucible and what is the meaning of Miller’s title?
Arthur Miller cleverly picked the title “The Crucible” for his play about the Salem witch hunts of the 1660’s because of the word’s many meanings. Throughout the play, Miller has characters face severe tests that make them question their own self. A crucible is also an earthen pot that is used for melting metals.
What lesson does The Crucible teach?
The play was originally written as a direct criticism of McCarthyism, the practice of making accusations without proper regard for evidence. Therefore, the main idea of the play is to encourage people to remain calm during crisis situations and to not jump to the worst conclusions.
What is the theme of The Crucible?
The main themes in The Crucible include the destructive power of lies, the importance of reputation, and hysteria and corruption. The destructive power of lies: Abigail and her friends tell a series of lies to avoid being punished for breaking the rules. These lies ultimately destroy the community of Salem.
How is the play The Crucible an example of an allegory?
In Arthur Miller ‘s play The Crucible, false accusations and fear are used to imprison and kill many people accused of being witches. In this way, The Crucible stands as an allegory for McCarthy ‘s communist hunt, during which many people were also killed and imprisoned due to accusations of communism.
How does the structure of The Crucible play in to the allegory He Arthur Miller is making on communism and McCarthyism?
The Crucible Essay The Crucible by Arthur Miller is an allegory for the red scare in the McCarthyism era because on The Crucible people get accused of witchcraft as the same as people whom were accused of communism.
Was The Crucible intended as an allegory?
A Modern-Day Witch Hunt
McCarthy, playwright Arthur Miller fired back with The Crucible. This play is an allegory, or metaphor, that compares McCarthyism to the Salem witch trials.
Is The Crucible an allusion?
The Crucible is full of allusions that relate to the Bible and Christianity as a whole. From Cain and Abel, to Pontious Pilate, all the way to Deputy Gov. Danforth being similar to Joshua. Elizabeth speaks about how Abigail parts crowds like the Red Sea, when Moses led his people out of Egypt.
What real life event is The Crucible an allusion to explain?
This is an allusion to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who presided over the trial of Jesus but literally washed his hands in public to wash away any responsibility for Jesus’s death.
What is the dramatic irony in The Crucible?
An example of dramatic irony happens when Elizabeth is brought forth to testify. Unaware that John has already confessed his affair with Abigail to the courts, Elizabeth does not know what to say when Judge Danforth asks why she fired Abigail Williams.
What biblical allusions are used in The Crucible?
Act 2: Elizabeth said when Abigail walked through the courtroom, the crowd parted like the Sea of Israel. This is an allusion to the BIBLE. In the Bible, Moses parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could escape Pharaoh’s army. This allusion is used to show how much power Abigail has been given in Salem.
In what ways is the sunrise at the end of the play symbolic in The Crucible?
In the closing scene of the play, however, Miller directs that “the new sun pours in upon Elizabeth’s face” as Proctor and the others go willingly to their deaths. The sun, as used in this scene, is intended to symbolize that truth has finally triumphed, even in the face of death.
How does Arthur Miller use the technique of irony in The Crucible?
Arthur Miller uses dramatic irony in The Crucible to show/demonstrate the damage that the accusations can do. John Proctor believes that “Massachusetts is a beauty in spring” (Miller 57) meanwhile the audience understands that there are accusations of witchcraft destroying the social order.
What is the most iconic scene in The Crucible?
The 12 Most Major Events in The Crucible
- Act 1. Reverend Parris saw all the girls in the forest dancing naked and his servant Tituba. Abigail makes the girls swear to never tell the truth. …
- Act 2. Marry Warren is now an official of the court. …
- Act 3. Marry testifies she made the poppet, then the girls turn on her.
