The Crucible Act III Crucible Definition Main Entry

The Crucible Act III

Crucible Definition Main Entry: cru·ci·ble Pronunciation: 'krü-s&-b&l Function: noun 1 : a vessel of a very refractory material (as porcelain) used for melting a substance that requires a high degree of heat 2 : a severe test 3 : a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development l Why would Miller choose this for the title of the play? l

Setting l The Meeting House/Courtroom l Symbolic! l The meeting house is the home of all community activity. The rules of the community are made and kept here. l Now, it is used as a court. Is this “just”?

Foils l In literature, foil is a term given to a character who represents the opposite of another. l In The Crucible, Abigail’s opposite is Rebecca Nurse…or Elizabeth Proctor l What other foils could there be?

Diction l In Act III, diction is used to showcase the difference in social rank and status between the judges and the people of Salem. l Proctor seems to be the only villager able to compete with the vocabulary and power of the judges.

Truths Giles Corey claims Putnam is doing this for the land: “This man is killing his neighbors for their land!” Why don’t they believe him? l Mary Warren finally tells the “truth”- but why would anyone believe her after so long…especially when she played a role in the accusations? l In anger, John Proctor admits to adultery. Why does this seem like a lie? What does it mean as a truth? l

Lies l When questioned directly, the girls all say their testimony is truthful l Abigail boldly lies about Elizabeth and the poppets- why isn’t she afraid? l Now Parris says he had not “found any of them naked. ” Is this a lie? Why not?

Proof l Giles: “I have it from an honest man who heard Putnam say it!” l Why is this not enough- especially when others are being hanged for the same amount of “proof”? l Danforth: “We must rely upon her victimsand they do testify, the children certainly do testify…what’s left for a lawyer to bring out? ”

Bias l Danforth and Hathorne need to identify witches to make their case “just. ” l Both men need the system to work l Hale mentions community fear of the court - who wouldn’t fear this court?

Justice of the court l “But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there is no road between. ” l “No uncorrupted man may fear this court, Mr. Hale. ” l “uncorrupted” l Are man is a man against the court the actions of this court “just”?

Vengeance- Yes, there’s more! l Giles tries to make sense of the accusations against his wife with his background knowledge and the Putnams l Abigail gets back at Mary by naming her as the witch l Mary calls out against John Proctor: “You’re the Devil’s man!”

Miller’s Larger Meaning? l. A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see a filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! For them to quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as you quail now when you know in all your black hearts that this be fraud- God dams our kind especially and we will burn, we will burn together!”