Black Lives Matter.
Support the Equal Justice Initiative.
Menu
Shakespeare
Literature
Other Subjects
Blog
Log In
Help
Artboard
Created with Sketch.
Resubscribe
Perform Search
Shakespeare
Literature
Other Subjects
Blog
Log In
Help
! Error
Created with Sketch.
The Crucible
Arthur Miller
Study Guide
Summary
Plot Overview
Key Questions and Answers
What Does the Ending Mean?
Summary & Analysis
Act I: Opening scene to the entrance of John Proctor
Act I: The entrance of John Proctor to the entrance of Reverend Hale
Act I: The entrance of Reverend Hale to the closing scene
Act II
Act III
Act IV–Epilogue
Video Plot Summary
Characters
Character List
John Proctor
Abigail Williams
Reverend Hale
Elizabeth Proctor
Judge Danforth
Mary Warren
Giles Corey
Main Ideas
Themes
Plot Analysis
Protagonist
Antagonist
Setting
Motifs
Symbols
Genre
Allusions
Style
Point of View
Tone
Foreshadowing
Key Facts
Who is actually on trial in The Crucible?
Quotes
Important Quotations Explained
Quotes By Theme
Ownership and Property
Justice
Absolution
Consequences
Quotes By Section
Act I: Opening Scene to the Entrance of John Proctor
Act I: The Entrance of John Proctor to the Entrance of Reverend Hale
Act I: The Entrance of Reverend Hale to the Closing Scene
Act III
Act IV—Epilogue
Quotes By Character
Abigail Williams
John Proctor
Reverend John Hale
Elizabeth Proctor
Deputy Governor Danforth
Quotes By Symbol
The Witch Trials and McCarthyism
Further Study
Context
Arthur Miller and the Red Scare
The Crucible and Political Theater
Movie Adaptations
Full Book Quiz
Section Quizzes
Act 1, part 1
Act 1, part 2
Act 1, part 3
Act 2
Act 3
Act 4-Epilogue
Character List
Analysis of Major Characters
Theme, Motifs, and Symbols
Study Questions
Suggestions for Further Reading
Companion Texts
Writing Help
How to Write Literary Analysis
Suggested Essay Topics
Sample A+ Essay
How to Cite This SparkNote
Further Study
Theme, Motifs, and Symbols Quiz
Further Study
Theme, Motifs, and Symbols Quiz
1
of 5
What is one result of the severity of the Puritanical theocracy in Salem?
Everyone is at liberty to do what they think is right.
Everyone agrees about the nature of holiness and devotion.
Everyone is considered either good or evil with no middle ground.
Everyone is fundamentally happy with the government.
2
of 5
What does the hysteria enable the townspeople to do?
Disassociate from their religion
Get revenge on anyone they want
Feel guilty about their emotions
Impeach the religious leaders of the town
3
of 5
What is one way in which the witch trials can be read as symbolic of the McCarthy era in America?
Suspected Communists were treated much the same way as accused witches in The Crucible.
Both cases of hysteria were started by the unreliable and vindictive testimony of one woman.
The authority figures in both situations said God was directing their actions.
There were no real witches in Salem, and no real Communists in 1950s America.
4
of 5
What does John Proctor hope the revelation of his adultery will do to the witch trial system?
Prove that the witch hunts are actually productive
Prove that those accused of witchcraft have committed sins
Prove that he is the one who should be punished in the situation
Prove that accusations are not an accurate source of evidence
5
of 5
Where does Abigail's authority come from?
Her experience with married men
Her claims of religious righteousness
The townspeople's constant respect of her
Her powerful nuclear family
Previous section
Analysis of Major Characters Quick Quiz
Next section
Study Questions
Popular pages:
The Crucible
Character List
CHARACTERS
John Proctor: Character Analysis
CHARACTERS
Plot Analysis
MAIN IDEAS
Who is actually on trial in The Crucible?
MAIN IDEAS
Quotes by Theme
QUOTES
Review Quiz
FURTHER STUDY
Take a Study Break
Every Shakespeare Play Summed Up in a Quote from
The Office
Every Book on Your English Syllabus, Summed Up in Marvel Quotes
Pick a Greek God and We'll Tell You Your Biggest Flaw
If Fictional Characters Had Tinder
20 Literary Twitter Memes You'll Only Understand if You've Read the Book
Pick 7 Movies and We'll Tell You What Book You Should Read While You're Social Distancing
5 Disturbing Details You Never Noticed in Classic Novels
