Fear in The Crucible Think What do you

Fear in The Crucible

Think… • What do you fear? • What if those fears came true? • How many of the top fears can you list?

Summary of Most Common Fears 01. Fear of flying 02. Fear of public speaking 03. Fear of heights 04. Fear of the dark 05. Fear of intimacy 06. Fear of death, dying 07. Fear of failure 08. Fear of rejection 09. Fear of spiders 10. Fear of commitment 11. Fear of flowers 12. Fear of driving 13. Fear of dogs 14. Fear of dentists 15. Fear of snakes 16. Fear of needles 17. Fear of being alone 18. Fear of water 19. Fear of god 20. Fear of abandonment 21. Fear of long words 22. Fear of clowns 23. Fear of falling 24. Fear of change 25. Fear of germs 26. Fear of music 27. Fear of doctors 28. Fear of crowds 29. Fear of being touched 30. Fear of open spaces 31. Fear of engulfment 32. Fear of girls 33. Fear of thunder 34. Fear of looking at lists of fears?

Fear in The Crucible Character Fear The Putnams The loss of their final child, and a loss of influence Reverend Parris Fears his power and influence being lost John Proctor His reputation being ruined and losing face within the community Reverend Hale He will be cast out of the church and of God’s good will. nobody else will recognise the lies behind the accusation, and more innocent lives will be lost. Elizabeth Proctor The loss of John’s good name and thus her own reputation within the village. She also fears the extent of Abigail’s power Mary Abigail and her power over them and the town Rebecca Nurse/ Giles Corey Are immune to fear; they remain strong true until the end. They die in the knowledge that they are good and without sin of the devil or his lies Quote

Character Fear Quote The Putnams The loss of their final child, and a loss of influence MRS. PUTNAM: Reverend Parris, I have laid seven babies unbaptized in the earth. Believe me, sir, you never saw more hearty babies born. And yet, each would wither in my arms the very night of their birth. I have spoke nothin', but my heart has clamored intimations. And now, this year, my Ruth, my only—I see her turning strange. Reverend Parris Fears his power and influence being lost I have given you a home, child. I have put clothes upon your back—now give me an upright answer. Your name in the town—it is entirely white, is it not? John Proctor His reputation being ruined and losing face within the community I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs

Character Fear Quote Reverend Hale He will be cast out of the church and of God’s good will. nobody else will recognise the lies behind the accusation, and more innocent lives will be lost. Excellency, I have signed seventy-two death warrants; I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it. Elizabeth Proctor The loss of John’s good name and thus her own reputation within the village. She also fears the extent of Abigail’s power ELIZABETH: John, you are not open with me. You saw her with a crowd, you said. Now you— PROCTOR: I'll plead my honesty no more, Elizabeth. ELIZABETH, now she would justify herself: John, I am only— Mary Abigail and her power over them and the town What'll we do? The village is out! I just come from the farm; the whole country's talkin' witchcraft! They'll be callin' us witches, Abby! Abby, we've got to tell. Rebecca Nurse/ Giles Corey Are immune to fear; they remain REBECCA: Let you fear nothing! Another strong true until the end. They die in judgment waits us all the knowledge that they are good and without sin of the devil or his lies

The Putnams • How are the Putnams viewed by other characters? • Why do their fears lead to accusations of witchcraft? • What else causes them to accuse their neighbours?

Discuss… • Linking theme of fear with what you know about puritans, explain why the characters’ fears have led to such hysteria?