The Crucible - Video Notes (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key characters, themes, symbols, and concepts from The Crucible notes.

John Proctor

A Salem farmer who wrestles with guilt and the cost of moral integrity; embodies personal responsibility and the possibility of redemption through self-awareness.

Elizabeth Proctor

John's wife; demonstrates forgiveness, loyalty, and inner moral strength under strain.

Abigail Williams

A manipulative accuser whose fear-driven ambition shows how lies and power exploit societal vulnerabilities.

Reverend Parris

Minister who fears losing authority; his self-interest and hypocrisy reveal corrupt leadership.

Reverend Hale

Minister who begins with certainty but grows doubtful, illustrating the conflict between faith and reason and the pursuit of justice.

Mary Warren

Girl who conforms to groupthink; fear leads to moral compromise and betrayals.

Rebecca Nurse

Wise, compassionate elder whose integrity and faith inspire others amid injustice.

Giles Corey

Defiant elder who challenges oppression; his sacrifice underscores the power of legacy and loyalty to family.

Judge Danforth

Rigid judicial authority figure; inflexibility and ambition expose the dangers of enforcing order over justice.

Tituba

Marginalized slave whose vulnerability highlights oppression and the scapegoating of marginalized voices.

Allegory

A narrative device where a story conveys a deeper political or moral meaning; The Crucible mirrors McCarthyism through the Salem trials.

Hysteria

Mass fear and irrational social panic driving collective action and scapegoating.

McCarthyism

Historical period of anti-communist investigations; used as a real-world parallel to the play's hysteria.

Salem Witch Trials

1692 series of witchcraft accusations in Massachusetts forming the play's setting and events.

Perception

How individuals interpret reality; tension between appearance and truth in the play.

Truth

Reality as opposed to perception; central conflict between honest truth and deceit.

Relationship dynamics

How interactions and trust evolve under pressure among characters.

Identity

Sense of self and name; the motif of choosing and defending one’s name.

Objectification

Treating a person as an object or label rather than as a full human being; linked to social judgment and self-perception.

Guilt

A feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing that motivates character change, especially for John Proctor.

Integrity

Adherence to moral principles despite adverse consequences.

Redemption

Restoration of honor or self-respect after guilt or moral failings.

Reputation

Social standing and the fear of damage to one’s name within the community.

Power and Authority

Control structures that can be abused to suppress truth and enforce conformity.

Lies and Deceit

Falsehoods used to manipulate others and fuel accusations.

Paranoia

Excessive suspicion and distrust that contribute to social fragmentation.

Mass Fear

Widespread fear affecting a community’s actions and judgments.