Literature Analysis

Literature Analysis: The Crucible

1. Summary:

The story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, an extremely puritan town. There are a group of girls dancing in the woods with a slave. They are caught by Reverend  Parris and his daughter Betty, one of the girls dancing, faints. The town starts to rumor about witchcraft so they try and contact Reverend Hale, an expert on the subject. After the girls leader Abigail was interrogated and admits she did nothing she advises the rest of the girls to do the same. John Proctor whom Abigail once had an affair with approached her and told her to stop what she was doing. Betty finally wakes up and everyone in the household is flustered. Reverend Hale interrogates the slave Tituba. She admits to talking to the devil. Soon Abigail steps in and also says that she has seen the devil and shortly after that so does Betty. Then Betty starts to list people that are witches causing complete chaos. Proctor brings his servant Mary to court to testify against the girls and say they are lying. She does so but the girls say that they were just under a spell that Mary cast on them. Then Proctor is accused of being a liar so Mary turns on Proctor and says that he is a witch. In the end everyone on trial is hung by being accused of witchcraft.

2. Theme

The theme is that Religion or just the unknown can blind people which in turn causes fear. That fear turns into violence and soon everyone is scared and doing whatever they can to save themselves.

3. Tone

The author’s tone is very serious due to the fact that it is a very biblical topic based on puritan beliefs.

“I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation. Take it to heart, Mr. Parris. There are many others who stay away from church these days because you hardly ever mention God any more.”

4. Literary Devices

Irony – How Abigail said she was pure although she has done more wrong than anyone else in the play.

Symbolism – The poppet represented a voodoo doll.

Simile – “His eyes were like coals”

Personification – “Heaven and Hell grapple on our backs.

Allusion – “I have gone this three months like The Lord into the wilderness.”

Characterization

1. Direct/Indirect

Indirect (Abigail) – “I’d best be off. I have my Ruth to watch…. Good morning, Mister Proctor. (Mercy sidles out. Since Proctor’s entrance, Abigail has stood absorbing his presence, wide-eyed.)”

By the end of the play I did not like Abigail at all. Through indirect characterization she seemed like a manipulative person who only cares about herself.

2. When John Proctor is talking he is more serious and logical. When one of the Reverends or the Judge is talking they seem ignorant and abuse their power somewhat.

3. The protagonist John Proctor is static. His ideas and actions do not change throughout the play.

4. I feel like I met Abigail. If I had ever had to have a conversation with her it would be very unpleasant for me because she is a very conniving, manipulative person. She is the actual witch in the play.