crucible and puritans

predestination

The Puritan belief that God has already determined who will be saved and who will be damned.

city upon a hill

A Puritan concept describing a model Christian society meant to inspire others.

plain style

A characteristic of Puritan writing focused on simplicity and clarity, avoiding ornate language.

the red scare

A period of intense fear of communism in the United States during the 20th century, paralleling the Salem Witch Trials.

theocracy

A form of government where religious leaders rule in the name of God, as in Puritan society.

hysteria

A central theme in The Crucible, illustrating how fear and rumors can lead to mass panic and injustice.

reputation

A major theme in The Crucible, emphasizing the importance of one's name and public standing.

integrity

A theme represented by John Proctor, who values personal honesty over self-preservation.

irony in the crucible

Situational: Those who confess to lies are spared, while the truthful are punished.

the poppet

Represents manipulation and false accusations in The Crucible.

john proctor

A farmer who values integrity and struggles with guilt over an affair with Abigail Williams.

elizabeth proctor

John Proctor’s wife, known for her morality and forgiveness.

abigail williams

The niece of Reverend Parris; the primary instigator of the witch trials due to jealousy and a desire for power.

reverend parris

The paranoid and self-serving minister of Salem.

reverend hale

An expert in witchcraft who initially supports the trials but later denounces them.

judge danforth

A rigid and authoritative judge who prioritizes order over justice.

mary warren

The Proctors’ servant who is caught between truth and fear of Abigail.

tituba

Reverend Parris’s enslaved servant from Barbados, who is accused of witchcraft.

giles corey

A brave farmer who is pressed to death for refusing to plead in court.

rebecca nurse

A respected elder accused of witchcraft due to envy and spite.

thomas and ann putnam

Wealthy landowners who exploit the trials to gain land and settle personal grievances.

John Winthrop's "A Model of Christian Charity"

A sermon outlining the idea of a "city upon a hill," emphasizing unity, charity, and moral leadership.

john cotton’s sermons

Focused on the principles of Puritan theology, including divine grace, the covenant, and obedience to God’s laws.

Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

anne bradstreet

A poet who explored themes of faith, family, and personal struggle in the Puritan context.

discovery of the girls in the woods

Reverend Parris finds Abigail, Betty, and other girls dancing in the forest, sparking rumors of witchcraft.

betty’s strange illness

Betty Parris falls into a mysterious, trance-like state, fueling fears of witchcraft in Salem

abigail’s first accusations

To avoid suspicion, Abigail blames Tituba and others for practicing witchcraft, initiating the trials.

trial of elizabeth proctor

Elizabeth Proctor is accused of witchcraft after Abigail manipulates evidence to target her.

john proctor’s confession of adultery

John Proctor admits to his affair with Abigail in an attempt to expose her motives.

elizabeth proctor’s lie

Elizabeth denies her husband’s infidelity, unintentionally undermining his confession.

mary warren’s betrayal

Under pressure from Abigail and the court, Mary accuses John Proctor of consorting with the devil.

giles corey’s death

Giles Corey is pressed to death with stones for refusing to plead, symbolizing resistance to injustice.

proctor’s refusal to sign

John Proctor chooses death over signing a false confession, preserving his integrity.

the execution of rebecca nurse

Rebecca Nurse is hanged despite her innocence, representing the triumph of hysteria over reason.

Patrick Henry’s "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"

A passionate call for armed resistance against British rule, using emotional appeals and repetition to emphasize the urgency of freedom.

Thomas Paine’s "The American Crisis"

A persuasive essay urging perseverance in the American Revolution, using emotional appeals and repetition to inspire courage during hardship.

Frederick Douglass’s "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"

A powerful critique of American hypocrisy, highlighting the contradiction between celebrating liberty and enslaving millions of people.