The Crucible Study Guid
Summary by: SAF004
Sold on: Stuvia
,The Crucible Study Guid
Summary by: SAF004
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 2
The Crucible Study Guide................................................................................................................ 5
1. Historical background: Salem Witch Trials ............................................................................... 5
2. Causes and early accusations ....................................................................................................... 5
3. Accused people and executions .................................................................................................... 5
4. The court and legal irregularities ................................................................................................ 5
5. The end of the hysteria ................................................................................................................. 5
6. The Crucible as a parable ............................................................................................................ 6
7. The McCarthy era......................................................................................................................... 6
The Crucible Plot Summary ................................................................................................................ 8
Act 1: The Beginning of the Witchcraft Accusations ..................................................................... 8
Act 2: Elizabeth Proctor Is Arrested ............................................................................................... 8
Act 3: The Courtroom and the Truth ............................................................................................. 8
Act 4: John Proctor’s Final Decision............................................................................................... 8
Main themes to remember ............................................................................................................... 8
Character List ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Main characters ................................................................................................................................ 9
1. John Proctor .............................................................................................................................. 9
2. Elizabeth Proctor ...................................................................................................................... 9
3. Abigail Williams ....................................................................................................................... 9
4. Deputy Governor Danforth ...................................................................................................... 9
5. Reverend Samuel Parris ........................................................................................................... 9
6. Reverend John Hale ................................................................................................................ 10
Supporting characters .................................................................................................................... 10
Important character relationships ................................................................................................ 11
Quick revision: Who represents what? ......................................................................................... 11
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, The Crucible Study Guid
Summary by: SAF004
Glossary Summaries
Word Simple meaning
Adamant Refusing to change your mind.
Affidavit A written statement made under oath.
Autocracy Government controlled by one person with unlimited power.
Bowlegged Having legs that curve outward.
Clod A lump of earth or clay.
Contention A disagreement or conflict.
Contiguous Touching or next to each other.
Crucible A container for heating substances; also a difficult test or trial.
Defamation Damaging someone's reputation with false statements.
Deposition A written statement given under oath for court.
Excommunicate To officially exclude someone from a church.
Faction A group within a larger group that disagrees with others.
Gibbet A structure used to display the bodies of executed criminals.
Grapple To struggle or wrestle with someone.
Intimation An indirect hint or suggestion.
Lechery Excessive sexual desire.
Licentious Showing a lack of sexual restraint.
Magistrate A civil official who administers the law.
Obscene Offensive or indecent.
Pallor Unusual paleness, often caused by fear or illness.
Parish A local church community or its area.
Pilgrimage A journey made for religious or important personal reasons.
Plaintiff A person who brings a legal case to court.
Poppet A small doll.
Predilection A preference or liking for something.
Pretense Pretending; something that is not genuine.
Prodigious Extremely large or impressive.
Propriety Proper or socially acceptable behaviour.
Providence God's care or guidance.
Reproach To blame or criticise someone.
Struck dumb Suddenly unable to speak.
Subservient Obedient or in a lower position.
Titillated Excited or aroused; made interested or stimulated.
Trepidation Fear, worry or nervousness.
Vengeance Revenge for a wrong or injury.
Sold on: Stuvia
Summary by: SAF004
Sold on: Stuvia
,The Crucible Study Guid
Summary by: SAF004
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 2
The Crucible Study Guide................................................................................................................ 5
1. Historical background: Salem Witch Trials ............................................................................... 5
2. Causes and early accusations ....................................................................................................... 5
3. Accused people and executions .................................................................................................... 5
4. The court and legal irregularities ................................................................................................ 5
5. The end of the hysteria ................................................................................................................. 5
6. The Crucible as a parable ............................................................................................................ 6
7. The McCarthy era......................................................................................................................... 6
The Crucible Plot Summary ................................................................................................................ 8
Act 1: The Beginning of the Witchcraft Accusations ..................................................................... 8
Act 2: Elizabeth Proctor Is Arrested ............................................................................................... 8
Act 3: The Courtroom and the Truth ............................................................................................. 8
Act 4: John Proctor’s Final Decision............................................................................................... 8
Main themes to remember ............................................................................................................... 8
Character List ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Main characters ................................................................................................................................ 9
1. John Proctor .............................................................................................................................. 9
2. Elizabeth Proctor ...................................................................................................................... 9
3. Abigail Williams ....................................................................................................................... 9
4. Deputy Governor Danforth ...................................................................................................... 9
5. Reverend Samuel Parris ........................................................................................................... 9
6. Reverend John Hale ................................................................................................................ 10
Supporting characters .................................................................................................................... 10
Important character relationships ................................................................................................ 11
Quick revision: Who represents what? ......................................................................................... 11
Sold on: Stuvia
, The Crucible Study Guid
Summary by: SAF004
Glossary Summaries
Word Simple meaning
Adamant Refusing to change your mind.
Affidavit A written statement made under oath.
Autocracy Government controlled by one person with unlimited power.
Bowlegged Having legs that curve outward.
Clod A lump of earth or clay.
Contention A disagreement or conflict.
Contiguous Touching or next to each other.
Crucible A container for heating substances; also a difficult test or trial.
Defamation Damaging someone's reputation with false statements.
Deposition A written statement given under oath for court.
Excommunicate To officially exclude someone from a church.
Faction A group within a larger group that disagrees with others.
Gibbet A structure used to display the bodies of executed criminals.
Grapple To struggle or wrestle with someone.
Intimation An indirect hint or suggestion.
Lechery Excessive sexual desire.
Licentious Showing a lack of sexual restraint.
Magistrate A civil official who administers the law.
Obscene Offensive or indecent.
Pallor Unusual paleness, often caused by fear or illness.
Parish A local church community or its area.
Pilgrimage A journey made for religious or important personal reasons.
Plaintiff A person who brings a legal case to court.
Poppet A small doll.
Predilection A preference or liking for something.
Pretense Pretending; something that is not genuine.
Prodigious Extremely large or impressive.
Propriety Proper or socially acceptable behaviour.
Providence God's care or guidance.
Reproach To blame or criticise someone.
Struck dumb Suddenly unable to speak.
Subservient Obedient or in a lower position.
Titillated Excited or aroused; made interested or stimulated.
Trepidation Fear, worry or nervousness.
Vengeance Revenge for a wrong or injury.
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