The Crucible Notes - EXT PDF

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Summary

Notes on the Crucible. Really detailed. Communist vs Capitalism and climate of the red scare. Fully detailed Notes. Enjoy...

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Boshin da crucible and Fahrenheit 451

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The Crucible ✝

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Section on linking to context McCarthyism is incomplete.

Act:Theme

Quote

Technique & Effect

Link to Context [Story/McCarthyism]

Act I Reverend Parris  Authority, Hysteria, Reputation

“They’ll howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house”

A metaphor is used to exaggerate the towns conformity to religion through Parris alluding to them as wolves with “howl”, illustrating how the town shares a similar pack-mentality. This coupled with the high modality present in “we cannot leap to witchcraft indicates that  Parris exhibits fear from the very thing that allows him power, the theocratic government.  That the hysteria that has crept into the town and affected him…  Highlights that the team must not leap to hysteria, however is done purely to protect his reputation as a Reverend.

Politically this is important to protec his position in church, similar to that of the Niatonalistic HUAC Hearings  Miller is representing the McCarthyis ideals to be wolf-like, representative o the context of when it was written.

Act III Danforth  Limits the human experience of freedom/fear.  Authority, Hysteria

“A person is either with this Arthur Miller utilizes strong emotive language court or against it, there be to distinguish the court as holy and defiance as no road in between.” the supreme evil, creating a stark contrast between the two possible options for the ordinary individual,  Illustrating the authority that Salem government has over altering individual perspectives.  Which highlights the control that the government is willing to ensue on the town in order to prevent hysteria.

Likewise, the HUAC hearings drew no distinguishable line. One was either to be communist, or not.

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Act IV Danforth  Authority, Hysteria

“I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law.”

The use a high register coupled with hyperbole  for the punishment for defiance, hanging, (or nonconformity) is able  To reveal the power the government exhibits and its tyrannical attitude. Furthermore, the addition of an absurd amount of hangings, “ten thousand more” emphasises the brutality the government is ready to conduct.  To reveal the influence that hysteria has on government officials, which with the addition of an absurd amount of hangings, “ten thousand more” emphasises the mass hysteria that is consuming the town.

Act I Reverend Hale  Authority, Religion, Reputation

“These books are weighted with authority”  OR  Through his mentions of ‘books’ that were ‘weighted with authority’

The literal form is to express the heaviness of the book, however the figurative meaning is of the spiritual power that the books possess, alluding to the power that the Bible possesses. 

Act II Reverend Hale  Authority, Reputation

“No-no I come on my own, without the court's authority”  Note: This scene Hale comes into the Proctor household without announcement.

The use of syntax reveals that his  reputation/p  osition as an authoritative figure has allowed him to gain autonomy, allowing him to pursue his own personal goals, illustrating the powerful nature of reputation/a uthority in Salem which is further showcased as he had entered unannounced, “We are not used to visitors after dark, but you are welcome here.”

Act II Mary Warren  Authority, Religion, Hysteria

“[Goody Osburn] couldn’t do all 10 commandments” and the judges deemed “hard proof, hard as rock”

This biblical allusion combined with the presence of the law (judges) reveals  That religion  is an integral part of the government i n Salem, highlighting the

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absurdity and weaknesses of the government system which is further reinforced by the use of simile to describe the evidence as hard as rock, further illustrating the cracks in Salem.  The effect hysteria has on individuals which is further reinforced by the use of simile by the judges to describe the evidence as hard as rock, further illustrating the cracks in Salem that are forming [ in an attempt to rush hysteria]/[through the effects of mass hysteria]. Act II John Proctor  Authority, Religion, Hysteria

“Is the accuser always holy now?”

Rhetoric is used to create a tone of critique Reflective of McCarthyism and the towards the [law]/[ governments handling of lack of basis in accusations. the hysteria], which reveals John Proctor’s growing concern over the powerful influence [religion has over authority in Salem]/[ hysteria has on the community.]

Act II John Proctor  Authority, Religion, Hysteria, R  eputation          Weak

John Proctor forgets 1 of his 10 commandments; adultery.

The inability to recite the commandments  foreshadow his hubris  ; pride. This is further exacerbated through the irony that the commandment he was unable to recite was adultery, which he was subject to. This coupled with his hubris ultimately leads to his death unveiling the fatal impact that  Non-conformity to the government can cause an individual's psyche.  religion has on the individual and law.  Hysteria can cause to an individual's psyche.  Reputation can cause an individuals psyche. 

Act II Reverend Hale 

“If Rebecca Nurse be tainted then nothing’s left to stop the whole green

This statement by Hale; a delegate for the government, highlights the immense power 

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Authority, Hysteria

world from burning.”

that the government possesses and reveals their destructive power that comes alongside it.  That hysteria has on affecting the public opinion on religion, a crucial part of the persecution process.  This is further exacerbated when it is revealed in Act IV that Rebecca Nurse had been hanged.

Act I Abagail  Religion, R  eputation

“She [Tituba] sends her spirits on me in church; she makes me laugh at prayer”

Heavy imagery and metaphor is utilized to highlight Tituba as a threat to Christ  , which when combined with the invalidation of a prayer by ‘laughing’ in a deeply Christian town, further strengthens her negative portrayal.

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Act I Reverend Parris to Abigail  Reputation

“Just when I got got some good name for myself, you managed to tarnish it”

Juxtaposition is used between “good name” and “you tarnish it”to emphasise the importance of reputation  to him.

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Act IV John Proctor  Authority, Reputation

“How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”.

Rhetoric and reputation  of of ‘my name’ has been utilized to highlight the importance of reputation to him

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Act I Giles Corey  Hysteria

“And then she closed her book and walked out the house and suddenly I could pray agai

Juxtaposition between “her book” and “pray” indicates the spiritual links between the two, signalling the spiritual significance of the book and prayage - alluding to witchcraft. However the juxtaposition between a book and something as powerful as God highlights the absurdity of the situation which reveals that hysteria has crept into the town.

This is reflective of the hysteria that ran rampant in America during the Red Scare in which the claims similarly had no basis.

Act III Reverend Hale

“There is a prodigious fear of this court in the

The 

Miller is directly addressing the HUAC Hearings, which was feared

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 Authority, Hysteria

country.”

by celebrities as it could lead to their blacklist.

John Proctor  Authority, Hysteria

“On what proof? What proof?”

John Proctor says this after the court accepts Abigail's confession without any proof whatsoever. Rhetoric is used to demonstrate that hysteria has taken over the courts and the extent of it, without the presence of the law, evidence and facts are not needed in order to accuse and convict people of crimes.

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Act I-IV Women  Gender Roles (?)

Women being referred to There is a repetition of calling men “Mr” and woman and men referred to women simply being called ‘woman’ that as Mr. highlights the misogyny present in the play.

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Act I Reverend Parris  Authority, Reputation

“You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba.”

The use of hyperbole (?) and a commandative register coupled with ‘whipping’ highlights the powerlessness of Tituba  In comparison to an authoritative figure; reverend. As a man of law he is expected to be just and fair which he fails to be, conveying his ulterior motives.   Due to her poor reputation in the town, restricting her from protecting herself.  

Forced confession, similar to one during McCarthy times which an individual would be put through immense pressure to admit to being a communist when they were not.

Act I Reverend Parris  Authority, Hysteria, Religion

“There is either obedience or the church will burn like hell is burning.”

The juxtaposition between ‘obedience’ and ‘hell is burning’ emphasises the conformity in Salem,  Highlights the government's desire to control individual consciousness.  Highlights the government to control individuals amidst the hysteria plaguing the town.

Reflective of the Red Scare which als used Christianity as a way to deter communism by labelling commies as threat to Christianity.

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 Highlights the importance of religion in the integrity of the town. Act I-IV Goodies  Reputation

[The fact that all characters are named ‘Goodie’ i.e. Goody Osburn, Goody Good, Goody Warren]

Furthermore, the repetition of Goody infront  of characters' names highlight the towns desire to upkeep their reputation/social status, highlighting the importance of social status in…

Act I Reverend Parris  Hysteria, R  eputation

“There are no unnatural causes here.. Put out all thought of unnatural causes here” which he follows up with “speak nothing of unnatural causes”.

When faced with the real chance of witchcraft  being present in his house, Parris, a reverend and a man of god, demands scientific proof. This coupled with the repetition of ‘unnatural causes’ emphasises the  Importance of his reputation to him as being the epicentre of witchcraft with the title of reverend would ruin his name in the community.  Hysteria dominating the individual as even a reverend is afraid of the accusations of witchcraft, despite being a man of god.  

Act IV Reverend Hale  Authority, Hysteria, Religion, R  eputation

“I come to do the Devil’s work. I come to counsel Christians they should belittle themselves. There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head?!”

Heavy imagery is used to highlight the extent of his faults; which he admits through his allusion of the false killings, which when coupled with rhetoric and metaphor for describing his motives highlight his changed attitude, in which he is seen relying on his imagination to describe his tretcheries.  And when juxtaposed with his initial self in Act I in which Miller describes him as a person who “relates to the works of science”, he is revealed to have a complete change in character

He is returning from Salem to advise prisoners to lie to save themselves. Reverend Hale is doing this to protec his own reputation and from guilt at this point as he feels responsible for the killings.  

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as he had previously believed in science, and not the works of Devils nor his imagination... Act III Danforth  Authority, Hysteria,

Repetition of “I have”, and “I tell you straight”.

Repetition of “I have” highlights that danforth  has a high view of himself, and privileges his own perspective over others. This is further illustrated through the beginning of the speech, “I tell you straight”, Danforth truly believes in the presence of the witches ironically and unfortunately, his overzealousness masks the error of his perception of ‘justice’.

Act III Danforth  Reputation

“Do you know who I am, Mr Nurse?”

Reflects Danforth’s arrogance.

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Fahrenheit 451 

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Chapter:Theme

Quote

Technique & Effect

Link to Context [McCarthyism]

Chapter 1 Guy Montag  Isolation

“Fascinated as always with the dead beast, the living beast.”  OR  Descriptions of his equipment as “the dead beast, the living beast”

Juxtaposition between the two conflicting  statements of the ‘dead’ and the ‘living’ coupled with the animalistic imagery of equipment highlight

Chapter 1 Guy Montag  Conformity   

“It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed.   (The use of fire)

Strong imagery is used to highlight Guy  Montag’s love for burning books; an illicit item, demonstrating his conformity to the government, portrayed through the ‘special pleasure’ of seeing things ‘blackened’ and ‘changed’. It demonstrates his love for destruction using fire. This is contrasted at the end of the book where he is standing around a glowing campfire, in which his respect and use for fire has changed from destroying things to keeping himself warm and happy. He has also become free thinking and an individual of his own 

Chapter 1 Guy Montag (?)  Conformity, Fear

“The public itself stopped reading of its own accord.”

The statement by (?) showcases the public’s conformity to the [tyrannical] government, as they stopped not due to law, but because of their own ‘accord’, highlighting how fear has consumed the public.

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Chapter (?) Faber  (Integrity) Reputation

“Do your own bit of saving,  and if you drown, at least die knowing you were heading for shore.”

Mirrors the morals of John Proctor, who kept his own integrity in midst of chaos and dying with it intact.  Also reflects the political atmosphere during the time it was written - authors were ready to be blacklisted in order to make books speaking against the Second Red Scare.

Chapter 1 Beatty  Conformity

“Any man’s insane who thinks he can fool the Government and us.”

The use of hyperbole by describing non-conformists as ‘insane’ highlights the conformity in the household and the extent of the oppression that the government imposes on its citizens, revealing it to be of great effect.

Reflective of the (ironic) attitude at the time towards the HUAC Hearings. (because they were being fooled)

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“Don’t step on the toes of the dog lovers, cat lovers

Animalistic metaphor is used to describe groups of people as animals, highlighting the banning of books in the story. (?????)

Can be viewed as an authorial intrusion due to the description of banned books. [The Crucible was a banned book]

Chapter 2 Guy Montag  Technology, D  eath

“I’ve got an awful feeling I want to smash things and kill things”

Hyperbole and imagery is able to highlight  the brutality and violence that plague the society in the story, which is further highlighted with Mildred’s response to ‘take the Beetle’ as she suggests ‘driving a car may kill rabbits’,  Highlighting the detachment from reality due to technology, which when juxtaposed with The Crucible highlights the devastating impacts technology may have on the individual.  Showcasing the commonality of death in the story, which when juxtaposed with The Crucible illustrates the difference in the meaning of death between the two texts.

Chapter 2

“Let’s talk politics to please

Politics is jokingly used as a way to calm

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Mildred  Community

Guy!”

down Guy, highlighting his deep connection with the government, however it also showcases the advancement of the community from a quiet and detached community into a talkative community.

Chapter 3 Guy Montag  Death

“There’s Beatty dead, and he was my friend once, and there’s Millie gone, I thought she was my wife, but now I don’t know.”

The juxtaposition between prominent  characters and the word ‘death’ showcase the grim nature of the reality, which when coupled with ‘I thought she was my wife’ highlights the detrimental effects of death, to the point where he cannot identify if she was his wife or not.

Chapter 3 Guy Montag  Death

“The sun and time and burning. Burning.”

Bradbury employs a polysyndeton to  highlight the exhaustive nature of Montag narrowly escaping his death by burning alive in his home. Repetition is used in conjunction to highlight the destructive nature of fire; burning.

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“Where’s your common sense? None of those books agree with each other. You’ve been locked up a regular damned Tower of Babel.”r

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Fahrenheit 451 vs The Crucible First Reading Notes Themes ●

Conformity ○

Clarisse’s non-conformity has a ripple effect; it forces Guy to question the status quo and her non-conformity brings about real change. ...