Terms for The Crucible Study Guide Acts I-II
Directions: Use these for the group quiz. Learn these terms. We will use them throughout the
year and continue finding these and many more as we read more texts! Exciting stuff!
1. Allegory: a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning,
typically a moral or political one. (Lord of the Flies = human nature, The Crucible =
McCarthyism , The Masque of the Red Death = insecurity and ignorance of people)
2. Archaism: an archaic word or style of language or art.
3. Allusion: an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it
explicitly; an indirect or passing reference (ex. Mr. Rodriguez has the Midas Touch =
alluding to the story of King Midas which a reader would be able to make a connection
for further understanding)
4. Apostrophe: NOT THE PUNCTUATION - when a speaker breaks off from addressing
one party and instead addresses a third party. This third party may be an individual, either
present or absent in the scene. It can also be an inanimate object, like a dagger, or an
abstract concept, such as death or the sun. Because there is a clear speaker and change of
addressee, apostrophe is most commonly found in plays. It does, however, sometimes
occur in poetry and prose.
5. Authorial Intrusion: Authorial Intrusion is an interesting literary device wherein the
author penning the story, poem or prose steps away from the text and speaks out to the
reader. Authorial Intrusion establishes a one to one relationship between the writer and
the reader where the latter is no longer a secondary player or an indirect audience to the
progress of the story but is the main subject of the author’s attention. (ex. Arthur Miller
pauses in The Crucible to characterize Reverend Hale, Rebecca Nurse, Giles Corey, and
others to make overall comments about their characters to the audience. It is a pause from
the dialogue.
6. Euphemism: a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be
too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. (ex.
downsizing = firing; moved on=died; being overly friendly=flirtatious)
7. Metaphors- a comparison that utilizes a tenor(first portion of what is being compared)
and a vehicle (the second portion of what is being compared)
 Extended: A comparison that compares two unlike things over several sentences,
sometimes over an entire a paragraph.
 Absolute: No literal or fixed comparison on either the tenor or vehicle
 Active: There is a clear comparison of 2 things. Also, a new type of metaphor that is
meant to compare to a new idea. (ex. Today is a Mr. Rodriguez kind of day)
 Dead: Comparisons that are overused and have lost their effect; cliché comparisons.
 Submerged: A metaphor in which the vehicle is implied, or indicated by one aspect. (ex:
My winged thought. Here, the audience must supply the image of the bird) There is not
direct comparison.
8. Foil characters: In fiction, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character
(usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character. In
some cases, a subplot can be used as a foil to the main plot.
9. Metonymy: When authors use a character or item to represent a larger portion of people
or ideas. (ex. The Abigail Williams of the world are wicked people; the Dr. Brewers in
our community are destined to help others)
10.Mood: The effect an author creates through the description of the environment or
atmosphere.
11.Motif: a distinctive feature or dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition. Many
motifs are repetitive actions or symbols in a genre or time period used by many to
represent the same consistent, general ideas.
12.Paradox: NOT AN OXYMORON (Jumbo Shrimp) - Contradictory ideas working
together to create a coherent message. (ex. It takes money to make money)
13.Synecdoche: When an author refers to a part or an aspect of a person to represent the
whole. (ex. Those are nice “wheels” = wheels is refer to the overall car; the blonde
walked past = the person with blonde hair walked past)
14.Themes: An overall message from the author. This message is larger than the story or the
characters, but you can use the characters and story to prove that the message holds true.
15.Tone: The author’s attitude towards a subject which is seen in their diction and syntax.
16.Invectives: insulting, abusive, or highly critical language
17.Hyperbolic: Exaggerated.
18.Figurative: Not literal.
19.Didactic: intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive
20.Verbal Irony: When what is meant is not actually said.
21.Situational Irony: When what occurs is the opposite of what was intended.
22.Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows that the characters’ intentions will backfire or
not work out as planned, but the characters are unaware of what we know.
23.Juxtaposition: Comparing or opposing imagery or descriptions for the purpose of
emphasizing the similarities and differences.
24.Direct Characterization: When the author, narrator, or character states characteristic of
themselves or one another.
25.Indirect Characterization: When the author gives details or characteristics through their
actions or thoughts rather than direct statements.
26.Satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's
stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical
issues. (ex. The Importance of Being Earnest)
27.Tragedy: is a form of drama based on human suffering that invokes in its audience an
accompanying catharsis or pleasure in the viewing. (ex. The Crucible, Macbeth, Death of
a Salesman). Must include a tragic hero who has a tragic or fatal flaw – a flaw that leads
to their downfall – like John Proctor’s lust or dishonesty)
28.Parable: a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the
Gospels.
29.Melodrama: a dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to
appeal to the emotions
30.Neoclassic drama: A post-Romantic and positive form of drama. These dramas focus on
the flaws of humanity and the issues people cause in society.
31.Hyperbole: An exaggerative statement.
32.Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
33.Anadiplosis: It exhibits a typical pattern of repeating a word. For example, the repetition
of the word “give” in the sentence “When I give, I give myself.” One of the final words
of one phrase will nearly begin the second phrase. (syntax; related to chiasmus)