The Crucible
by Arthur Miller
MAJOR THEMES
Hysteria
• Definition: noun 1. an uncontrollable outburst of emotion or
fear, often characterized by irrationality, laughter, weeping,
etc.
• Synonyms: commotion, confusion
• Examples:
– Neighbors suddenly turn on each other and accuse people they have
known for YEARS
– Community-wide fear overwhelms logic and individual thought and
becomes the justifying means
– Becomes the means of expressing suppressed anger and resentment
(towards others but also towards the strict society of Puritanism)
– They BELIEVE the devil is attacking Salem
Hysteria Cont.
-
If Devil is attacking Salem, it becomes a DUTY or righteous act that
protects the God you love, to seek out those who support evil/witchcraft
Ideology
• Definition: noun 1. the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc.,
that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class,
or large group.
-Ideology can be DANGERGOUS!! – these ideas DEFINE
what Salem thinks!!
-Puritans thought that the Devil would do anything to
destroy them
-religion ran the government; government actions were
seen as “good”
-anyone who even ATTEMPTED to question or obstruct
government actions was seen as trying to overthrow God
Ideology Cont.
• Governments that followed rigid ideologies = corruption and tyranny
• Ex) Gov. Danforth and Judge Hathorne
– Never believe they are wrong- never assess their believes
– Easy targets for liars, like Abby
– Court is narrow-minded; easily taken advantage b/c they only have
ONE view
Reputation & Integrity
• Reputation:
– noun 1. the estimation in which a person or thing
is held, especially by the community or the public
generally; repute: a man of good reputation.
– The way people receive you
Reputation & Integrity Cont.
• Integrity
– noun 1. adherence to moral and ethical principles;
soundness of moral character; honesty.
– Virtue
*In Crucible- reputation or integrity?
-Parris, Abby, others, choose reputation
-Rebecca, Proctor choose integrity
Bad Reputation= social or even physical punishment
Those who protect reputation are DANGEROUS- they
allow harm to others and fuel hysteria
Those who favor integrity by admitting mistakes and
refusing to lie- DEFY hysteria-stop the fear that feeds
hysteria
Act 1- Hysteria
• Crowd @ Parris’ house because
of Betty’s actions-hysteria begins
• Rumors of witchcraft become
BELIEF in witchcraft- works upon
irrational fear
• Betty and Ruth’s actions
• Both Putnams WANT witchcraft
to exist
• Betty’s crying out when psalms
are sung
• Witchcraft brings on resentments
in Salem- impact characters’
actions as hysteria grows
• Hysteria is powerful- those who
are ‘voices of reason’ cannot stop
it
• Tituba’s accusations of Goody
Osburn fuels Mrs. Putnam’s
hysteria (Osburn was midwife)
• Vicious cycle of hysteria
continues as Abigail and Betty
shout out accusations
Act 1- Ideology
• Bringing Hale into the
mix- calling him is
dangerous- once
religion is involved
things escalate
• Hale is a minister, yet
views his beliefs in
witchcraft as almost
‘doctor-like’ – these
facts help make him
unbias
• When Tituba denies
witchcraft, religious
officials see it as LIESthey encourage her to
admit to false witchcraft
• Hale believes the girls
immediately
Act 1- Reputation & Ideology
• Parris and Abby want to protect
reputations. P- wants no one to know
what is going on with Betty A- warning
girls NOT to mention what happened in
forest
• Abigail lies to Parris about woodsmaking herself look good and
innocent
• Abigail lies to Parris about losing
job @ Proctor’s
• Putnams have strong influence on
Parris because of their reputation
• Betty and Ruth act sick to save
their reputations
• Abigail lies about Tituba and Ruth
conjuring spirits
• All the girls try to save face- Abby
forces them to lie
• Proctor is HONEST- knows he is
immoral and is self-loathing
• Accusations against neighbors to
try and make self look ‘good’
• Putnam and Nurse hatred comes
out because of witchcraft
accusations
R & I Cont.
•
•
•
•
Abby denied witchcraft until Hale mentions there is- she switches stories
Tituba tries to save reputation @ first- denies witchcraft
Tituba admits to save herself and reputation
Betty and Abigail accuse several girls- continue to save themselves
Act 2- Hysteria
• Hysteria grips town- even
authorities- even Proctor has to
admit hysteria is present
• Hysteria encourages confessions
of NON-EXISTENT witchcraft
• Hysteria changes peoples’
perceptions of reality- Mary
Warren now believes witchcraft
exists
• Mary gains power from the
hysteria surrounding Salem
• Hysteria provides forum
expressing suppressed grievances
• Mary’s fear @ end of Act may be
stronger than her integritypossible disaster ahead
Act 2- Ideology
• Hale has integrity- NOT
comfortable with the court
situation-wants EVIDENCE, not
accusations
• Puritans -God is on their side,
cannot make mistakes
• Ministers =good and wise
• Disagree with church- go against
God
• Proctor goes against Hale- Hale
ignores his plea; inability to
question themselves (religious
officials)
• Hale believes court is blessed by
God- court will find truth
• Court has no need for evidenceGod runs it, judgments will be
just and correct!
• Hale thinks courts arrival in Salem
is God’s will
Act 2- Reputation & Integrity
• Proctor and Elizabeth’s marital
situation
• Proctor resists going to court to
protect reputation
• Proctor’s anger over affairconcern for rep. and int.
• Hale- integrity in searching for
evidence
• Puritans attack each otheragainst God: evil, agree God:
righteous
• Proctor takes stand against
oppressive society- rips up
warrant
• Proctor STOPS protecting rep.- is
going to court