What is the symbolic meaning of the crucible?
5 min read
Asked by: Linda Chavez
A crucible is a piece of laboratory equipment used to melt metal because it can withstand high temperatures. In this play the crucible symbolizes the heat of hysteria that takes over Salem during the witch trials.
What is the symbolic meaning of The Crucible in the 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.
What was the meaning of The Crucible?
a severe test or trial
A crucible is a severe test or trial or an extremely challenging experience. This figurative sense of crucible is based on the literal meaning of the word: a heat-resistant container used to melt metals.
What is the main message of The Crucible?
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 are three symbols in The Crucible?
Terms in this set (10)
- golden candlesticks. Parris asks for them, they represent money and he wants more money.
- poppet. symbolize the uneasiness of the community. …
- dancing. girls conjuring the devil, associated with the devil.
- chains. …
- dagger. …
- Rebecca nurse. …
- john proctor. …
- Hathorne.
What does Abigail Williams symbolize?
Abigail represents the repressed desires — sexual and material — that all of the Puritans possess. The difference is that Abigail does not suppress her desires. She finds herself attracted to Proctor while working in the Proctor home.
Why does Arthur Miller use symbolism in The Crucible?
He used the symbolism of a cross because each character had to crucify an abstract possession. Parallel, Miller uses the tangible definition of the crucible, a pot in which substances are melted (“Crucible”), for each character ‘s intangible sacrifice.
What is the double meaning of The Crucible?
The Meaning of the Crucible Title
Two definitions of the word “crucible” can apply to the title of the play The Crucible, “a container for melting or purifying metals” and “a severe test.” The village of Salem was a strict puritan community, a container.
What does witchcraft symbolize in The Crucible?
The most obvious example of symbolism is the witchcraft the goodwives are accused of practicing. This symbolizes and parallels the condemnation of the practicing of communism in the United States. The Forest that is near Salem is feared by the inhabitants of Salem, and seen as distasteful and is avoided by most people.
What does witchcraft symbolize in The Crucible?
The most obvious example of symbolism is the witchcraft the goodwives are accused of practicing. This symbolizes and parallels the condemnation of the practicing of communism in the United States. The Forest that is near Salem is feared by the inhabitants of Salem, and seen as distasteful and is avoided by most people.
What does witchcraft mean in The Crucible?
In Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible’, witchcraft is the main conflict of the play. Set in a Puritan Massachusetts Colony in the year 1692, most anything that cannot be solved by the church or a doctor is unnatural. The first thing that comes to mind is witchcraft, which the punishment for is hanging unless you confess.
What symbol is associated with John Proctor?
Moreover, the story’s name has symbolism. “The Crucible’s” definition as a sturdy pot can resemble John Proctor as an individual as he struggles through the great force of the court arresting his wife and having overcome his difficulties.
What does the dagger symbolize in The Crucible?
The dagger that Parris finds represents the potential for violence that is just below the surface in Salem. Danforth and Parris realize that public sentiment for the court is shifting. Their actions at this point are notable.
What symbolizes Elizabeth Proctor?
Elizabeth’s character represents the idea of goodness, and the way a person who thinks herself to be good (and is, in fact, overall a good person) can still have fatal flaws.
What does Parris represent in The Crucible?
In Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible, a man named Reverend Parris is a representation of all that is twisted and greedy in what is a seemingly positive religion. Parris is a foretold man of God, but realistically illustrates how a man in power wants to progress in his own selfish ideals.
Why is there knife in Parris door?
Reverend Parris found a knife in his door, so if these people are hanged, he is afraid his own life is in danger. This still shows his greediness because he is only concerned of his life being in danger.
Why did Abigail and Mercy leave Salem?
Parris assures them that Hale only wants to persuade the holdout prisoners to confess and save themselves from the gallows. He reports that Abigail and Mercy vanished from Salem after robbing him.
Who does Parris reveal that Abigail disappeared with?
Q. Who does Parris reveal that Abigail disappeared with? Tituba.
Why are there so many cows on the loose in Salem?
Why are the cows wandering loose on the roads of Salem? Many farmers have been jailed and can’t take care of their farms.
What does Abigail do at the end of the play?
What does Abigail do at the end of the play? She kills herself.
Are you stone the crucible?
Are you stone? I tell you true, woman, had I no other proof of your unnatural life, your dry eyes now would be sufficient evidence that you delivered up your soul to Hell! A very ape would weep at such calamity!
