A crucible, according to Learner’s Dictionary, is a severe test. Learner 's Dictionary also defined it as a place or situation that forces people to change or make difficult decisions. Both definitions make sense in why they chose to name the play, The Crucible. Crucibles, by both definitions, are seen in the book and in our world today by Proctor confessing, Mary changing sides, discrimination in our world, and religious persecution today. Crucibles, or severe tests, are seen in the play. One significant example in the play is when Proctor’s character is tried. Proctor had to decide to confess to sleeping with Abigail. He told the court, “I have known her, sir. I have… known her. Danforth: You… are a lecher?” Later on Proctor replied, “No, Francis, it is true, it is true. She will deny it, but you will believe me, sir; a man will not cast away his good name, sir, you surely know that” (68). Although committing adultery in our society today is extremely looked down upon, committing adultery was a greater offense in the Puritan community that had major repercussions. Proctor made the choice to throw away his reputation to save his wife’s life. Because of this his character was extremely tested during the play. This isn’t the only definition of crucible that is seen in the play. There are many situations in this play that force people to make hard decisions or change, which is also known as a crucible. Mary is a good example of someone who had a hard decision in the play.
The meaning of a Crucible is "a situation of severe trial, or in which different elements interact, leading to the creation of something new." This idea of a severe test and/or a "trial by fire" is seen throughout the play and its characters. I believe that it is mostly seen in John Proctor and Reverend Hale. John Proctor's crucible is how he must stand for something in the world where everyone is against him, and where few people stand with him. This forces proctor to speak up once he realizes he can no longer be silent, as remaining silent was only encouraging those who were in authority to continue to beguile the town.
Arthur Miller wrote play The Crucible, which is based on a real story; play begins in a very interesting moment and ends in a very dramatic scene. At the time, when the play was written, witchcraft was a big thing for people. People used witchcraft to accuse other people and take their property, or because they just don’t like them. The story shows us, how do characters have changed from the beginning of the play and until the very end. The Proctor is one of the main characters in The Crucible.
The “crucible” by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary has three definitions, but only two out of the three pertain to the play; the first being “a difficult test or challenge” (Merriam- Webster Dictionary) and the second being “a place or situation that forces people to change or make difficult decisions” (Merriam- Webster Dictionary). The first character that the crucible’s definitions apply to is John Procter. John Procter is a much respected man in his village; however he has a secret that would ruin him. He had an affair with his old house maid Abigail Williams who is still in love with him. Abigail attempts to break Procter and his wife up by accusing his wife that she has an affiliation with witchcraft, he tells everyone about his affair to
impurities ”( Blakesely 2). In the play, John Proctor is tested in life threatening or deal and his death at the end rather than betrayal of his conscious, shows us that he has come through the fire to be purified. Also, crucible means trial or deal and test (Blakesely 2) . The Crucible is set in small settlement of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.
The Crucible Arthur Miller purposefully stereotypes the women in the Crucible to make a statement concerning the treatment of women in modern society. Miller is making the statement that most women is modern society are viewed as having many negative characteristics, just because of their gender. In the Crucible, Miller primarily used Elizabeth Proctor, Mary Warren, and Abigail Williams to show how negative stereotypes are used against women in modern society. Women are often portrayed as being cold and cruel if they don’t fit the picture of a happy housewife, and that’s how Elizabeth Proctor was depicted.
For example, Abigail Williams had an affair with John Proctor who was married to Elizabeth Proctor at the time and got discovered. However, Abigail Williams still “loved” John Proctor and was rejected. Later, she accuses Elizabeth Proctor for witchcraft, an action she uses as her revenge. These acts of cruelty ultimately affect all the victims and their families in this play as their consequence is to be hung. The vulnerability and sense of helplessness are all revealed in the victims as they are facing their
The dictionary defines a crucible as a place or occasion of severe tests or trials. During the late seventeenth century, many places around the world began to have an increased fear of the supernatural. Witch trials sparked by these fears brought great pressure upon all involved. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the people of Salem were placed under a lot of pressure as the witch trials were occurring. With pressure mounting, three men from the story each struggled in a different manner; Parris becoming fearful and cowardly, Hale undergoing a change in character, and Proctor taking a stand for what he believed to be right.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a dramatic play that expresses a very important message and that is how far people would go to save themselves from the hands of death. There are many characters in the Crucible who are guilty of taking innocent lives, but there are three major characters who, without a doubt, are the most at blame. The play takes place in the city of Salem, a city filled with people that would do anything to keep their reputation clean. Throughout the play, Miller is introducing multiple characters that experience changes in their decisions and negatively influence more people eventually leading up to the witch trials. The main point that the story revolves around is that people would rather lie and blame someone else instead of confessing and accepting the punishment.
In the play the accused people get examined and the judges are trying to find out whether or not they are bewitched. The definition is really simple but crucible can also be described as kind of a melting pot and that fits really well (because?). People get accused of things and then judged by others. Based on that decision the society has a certain perception of them and it makes people act differently. In the play almost everybody acts a certain way to make a good impression.
It is ironic that the innocent people such as Nurse are punished, while the wicked go unpunished. The Salem witch trials can be compared to a crucible. A crucible is a pot used to melt metals and other substances. However, a crucible also symbolises a difficult test or trial. In the context of the play,
“The human body is the best work of art.” ― Jess C. Scott This is a quote John Proctor sure would have approved of. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible depicts the last days of the life of John Proctor. In this short time, John Proctor goes through many changes that support Miller’s theme that love is more enduring that lust.
The Crucible “The Crucible” is a play, by Arthur Miller, about the Salem Witch Trials. After reading “The Crucible”, you will be asking yourself, is it necessary for a person to suffer? The answer to the question is shown through the characters, Giles Corey, John and Elizabeth Proctor, and Abigail Williams. John Proctor is a respected puritan man in the community. John had made the mistake of sleeping with, a teenage girl, Abigail Williams.
In the play " The Crucible " by Arthur Miller the term or idea of a crucible is not just used in the title, it is also used in the plot and in the dialogue of the character 's their self. A crucible is a severe test or trial in a place or of an occasion. This term relates to the title because in this play many characters are tested with regards to their faith and are put on trial for witchcraft. Another meaning of the term "crucible" is a ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures. This term relates to the title because all throughout the play people are being accused of witchcraft and being sentenced to death or thrown in jail.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play about what happened during the Salem Witch Trials. It gives insight about what people had to deal with in this situation and how they handled it. The trials were basically a big test which helped figuring out whether or not people were guilty of witchcraft. This is an example of what a crucible is. In our world today we still have crucibles and even though they are different than back then, they all relate to each other because of what influence they have on people.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play which contains a multitude of complex characters . In the play, the characters’ motivations and inner processes are explored. Because of the historical setting, the characters live in a society of judgement and extreme religious devotion. This is a factor that places any of the characters’ choices and morals in a public balance to be judged by others. Abigail Williams is the main character of the play and acts with an utter selfishness and obsession.