The Crucible- Test Review

Conflict

Conflict

Struggle between opposing forces.

External Conflict

Takes place between a character and an external force, such as society, nature, fate, or another person.

Internal Conflict

Takes place within a character who is torn by his or her ow competing or contradictory values or desires.

Biblical allusion

References to figures, stories, or settings from the Bible.

Characterization

Is the art of revealing characters’ personalities

Indirect Characterization

Characters’ traits are revealed through:

1. The character’s words, actions, and appearance

2. Other characters’ comments

3. Other characters’ reactions

Direct Characterization

The author simply tells the reader what a character is like.

Irony

Contrast between expectations and reality

Dramatic Irony

Contradiction between what a character thinks and what the audience knows

Verbal Irony

Contrast between what a character says and what is really meant

Allegory

A story with more than one layer of meaning: a literal meaning and one or more symbolic meanings.

Tragic Hero

Involved in a struggle that ends in disaster and a person of high rank who has the respect of the community

Tragic Flaw

Downfall that is usually the result of some combination of fate, an error in judgment, and personality weakness

Tragedy

[First developed in Greece] Characteristics:

1. Main character is involved in a struggle that ends in disaster.

   1. character, often called the tragic hero, is a person high rank who has the respect of the community

2. The tragic hero’s downfall is usually the result of some combination of fate, an error in judgment, and a personality weakness often called a tragic flaw

3. Once the tragedy is in motion, the downfall is usually inevitable

4. The tragic hero gains wisdom or insight by the play’s end

Crucible

Melting pot used for extremely hot chemical reactions & difficult trial or test

“…I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you…I’ve seen some reddish work done at night, and I will make you wish you had never seen the sun go down!”

• Abigail

• Act I

• It reveals that Abigail does not care for the people around her but only herself.

• The theme that this quote connects to is selfishness because it shows what lengths Abigail would go to for what she wants.

“Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”

• Proctor

• Act IV

• It reveals that Proctor’s pride is destroyed and that he is trying to protect his name from being

• This quote is significant because it shows John has chosen to keep the reputation of his name and his dignity. They have taken everything else dear to him and soon his life.

“He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him.”

• Elizabeth

• Act IV

• It reveals that Elizabeth is supportive of John even though his life is being sacrificed because John had finally forgiven himself.

• This quote is significant because it shows us that John had finally accepted his sins and found his worthiness to be hanged beside Rebecca

“Now Mr. Proctor, before I decide whether I shall hear you or not, it is my duty to tell you this. We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment.”

• Danforth

• Act III

• It reveals that Danforth does want to learn the truth because he is saying that he will find out if you are lying in court.

• This quote is significant because it symbolizes the title “The Crucible”. It is also ironic that even though he wants the truth he doesn’t want it if it will ruin his reputation.

“I have three children—how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends”

• Proctor

• Act IV

• It reveals that Proctor is caring about his family and their future. He knows that if he were to confess and his name be posted on the church’s door; his family would gain a bad reputation.

• The theme that this quote connects to is pride because it shows that even though he is in a life-or-death situation his pride for a good reputation is getting him through it.

Tragic Hero in The Crucible

• John Proctor → his Pride

• Struggles to find peace with himself in midst of the lies and chaos during this play.

• John Proctor possesses a tragic flaw that forces him to hide his prideful mistake, which eventually brings about his downfall.

• He redeems himself and restores his honor by the end of the play, ultimately sacrificing his life.