BiographyArthur Aster Miller was born October 17, 1915 in New York City into a Jewish family. In 1929, his fathers business failed and the family had to move to Brooklyn. Miller graduated from high school there but quit college after only two weeks. He worked a variety of jobs until 1934 when he was accepted …
I cannot sleep for dreamin; I cannot dream but I wake and walk about the house as though Id find you comin through some door. -Abigail to John Proctor trying to entice him into resuming their illicit affair. Act I (page 23) There is a misty plot afoot so subtle we should be criminal to …
Theme AnalysisThe Crucible highlights the tendency in America to witch-hunt. Millers play came at an appropriate time in history. Once again, the court system was failing to safeguard our system of justice by allowing the HUAC to proceed in its witch-hunt for communists. The accused in Salem were essentially condemned before they went to trial. …
Character ProfilesReverend Parris- Pastor of the church in Salem. He is the father of Betty and the uncle of Abigail Williams. He believes that he is being persecuted and that the townspeople do not respect his position as a man of God. He secures his desires in the town by preaching fire and brimstone until …
Metaphor AnalysisThere is a large emphasis on purity in the lives of the people of Salem. There is a lot of imagery of darkness and dirt representing sin and evil. Reverend Parris for example, questions his niece Abigails purity by saying; Your name in the town-it is entirely white, is it not? She argues that …
Act 4The final act opens that fall in the Salem jail. Several hangings are scheduled for that morning, including those of John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse. Marshal Herrick enters and shoos Sarah Good and Tituba from the room. Danforth, Hathorne, and Cheever arrive and ask why Reverend Hale has been allowed in the prison. They …
Act 3Martha Corey is on trial in the Salem meetinghouse as Act III opens. She adamantly denies any involvement in hurting the children. Her husband bursts into the courtroom shouting that he has evidence of her innocence, accompanied by Francis Nurse. He is dragged out of the room by Herrick and joined by the other …
Act 2Act II opens in the house of John and Elizabeth Proctor, eight days later. They begin having dinner and it gradually comes out that Mary Warren has gone into Salem. John Proctor had forbidden her to do so and reprimands his wife for allowing Mary to override her. She tells John what Mary has …
Act 1Reverend Parris prays beside his daughters bed. Ten-year-old Betty Parris lies in an unresponsive state. She has been in this condition since her father discovered her and her cousin Abigail Williams dancing in the woods. Susanna Walcott enters to inform the Reverend that Doctor Griggs has been unable to find a medical explanation for …
