i took notes so you dont have to, ur welcone. sorry for spelling errors Intro: Summary: Arthur Miller’s 1953 realist play is based on the historical events of the 1692 Salem witch hunts. Although partially fictionalized, it depicts the very real consequences of false accusations based on blind religious faith as Miller displays of such baseless rumours. However, the play was written throughout another type of witch hunt, McCarthyism in 1950s America. This was a political movement in which McCarthy attempted to control the spread of communism by placing any communist sympathisers on a blacklist. This resulted in widespread fear of communist influence, and a political hunt similar to the Salem witch-hunt began. As civilians attempted to escape their own charges by accusing other innocent individuals of treason. Given the political context of the time, Miller uses the crucible as an allegorical warning for the audience against the dangers of McCarthyism. Fundamental ideas: hysteria, accusation, blind faith Modern comparison - how rumours spread on social media, e.g. covid is a hoax? ‘the anonymity of technology has enabled individuals to start modern day witch hunts as a nameless, faceless behind the comfort and security of their screens’ Themes: Mass Hysteria: - One of the most significant themes in the play - As miller depicts the entire town of salem engulfed by the superstition of witchcraft and devil worship the community wide fear of consorting with the devil is shown to overwhelm any type of rational thought, as one rumour created by Abigail and the girls leads to dozens of incarcerations and executions in a matter of days. - The Crucible depicts the perverse manifestation of panic that can occur from unsubstantiated fear. - Miller users this illustration of fear to show the effects strictly repressive puritan society - however some residents of salem manipulate the witch hunt for their benefit such as abigail, the majority of townspeople are launched into terror field fever of their genuine belief that the devil is running a mock in salem. - Strict theocracy of salem thus exacerbates the crisis as joining the accusatory crowd becomes a religious necessity - The play demonstrates how uncontrolled religious fervour can lead to the collective indoctrination of people Judgement: - legal, personal, spiritual legal personal spirtiual - salem court does not carry out real justice due to its focus on reputation - reputation > justice - For example danforth refuses to free the innocent accused because he believes it will taint the reputation of the court - Miller thus suggests that the more important type of judgement is personal which is sure in mainly through the character of John Proctor - John Proctor shows limitless remorse and self hatred for the pain he has caused Elizabeth by his affair with Abigail - miller shows the importance of forgiveness through self judgement as elizabeth ensures procter that there is no higher judge under heaven than proctor himself - And he is ultimately able to forgive himself and see the shred of goodness within him by the end of the play - the Crucible depicts the town of Salem overcome by the fear of God's judgement or what proctor calls “God’s icy wind” - The events of the play occur due to the town's collective fear of the almighty God - Accusation - Although all the accusations in the player carried out under the guise of God and spiritual righteousness they actually have a variety of motives behind them - For example abigails accusal of Elizabeth being a witch is described as a “whores vengeance” due to her passionate jealousy of elizabeth position as proctors wife and abigails wish to take her place. - Similarly the accusal of Rebecca nurse by goodie putnam is actually her way of getting rid of Rebecca nurse as she is jealous of her many children - In contrast Walcott accusal of Giles corey’s wife is his way of revenge for the sick pig she sold him many years ago - Walcott’s actions are calculative rather than passionate like the first two examples - The irrational proceedings in the Crucible represent the allegorical also irrational proceedings in McCarthyism many of which like in the Crucible were carried out without substantial evidence Honour and integrity: honour is one of the most important themes in the play as many of the characters strive to maintain their reputation For example Proctor could have outed Abigail as a liar and exposed her by pointing out that she had an affair with him however he did not do this because he wanted to maintain his own reputation Mela shows the importance of maintaining personal honour over public reputation through the characters after as Proctor finally decides to make a valiant decision true refrain from signing lies and thus uphold his name even though it could cost him his life he is able to redeem himself from previous sins and is then able to die with righteousness.
This has been a LITERAL lifesaver for me, thank you so much!! I have my English Paper 1 HSC due tomorrow and I can't thank you enough for this detailed easy to understand content
watching this for the 3 or 4th time! my exam is tomorrow and im just going over notes!! love the way you explained everything, a lot easier to undertand than written summaries and articles online :)
@@vcestudyguidesonline Tysm i did my exam yesterday and it went great thanks to you my essay question went great for the crucible hoping for a A if not A*! :)) (I did English Literature 0475/22 CAIE)
I love your clip. This helps me loads on my literature exam! You have such an amazing teaching technique using relatable analogy in our real life. Please keep doing the teaching, I'm looking forward to it!
Hi Lisa! Hope you’re having a great day. I was wondering if you could do a video breaking down nine days? Thank you for making wonderful videos as always! :)
I feel like I'm one of the few who read this book because I was actually interested in the premises of the story, I'm not from America or UK or a English speaking country in general, the book is genuinely good especially when tied to its historical context, even tho the author chose to change some details
She was collateral damage at some point but think about it. She was the first to point out names to get herself out of trouble just cuz Abigail accused her.
Lisa, if I am doing comparative text for The Crucible and the Dressmaker in my school, will that study guide you wrote on the Crucible still be useful or I should look for one that does comparisons? I am really time poor.
Because in that theocratic society, witchcraft was considered a two-way interaction with the Devil. A glimpse of female intelligence, atypical behavior and being associated with the forest (the Devil's dwelling) were all impure and demonic.
