899297
Description
Mind Map by Monty Kirk, updated more than 1 year ago
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Created by Monty Kirk
over 10 years ago
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The Crucible Themes
- Religion: The lynchpin of
Salem, society. One of the
reasons why the accusations
of witchcraft are so easily
spread, believed and feared
- Integrity: People standing up for their
beliefs is an integral part of the play. It
ends with Proctor giving his life in
order to stay true to himself and his
children. Miller suggests that integrity
is difficult to necessary
- Fear: People of Salem are
superstitious and fearful, and it is
their fear of the unknown which
leads to many accusations. Miller
shows how the irrational fear of
witches leads to destruction
- Prejudice: People like Sarah Good,
Proctor, Giles Corey are
non-conformists who differ from the
majority are so are targets for
accusations (as are the old and
homeless). Miller shows that prejudice
is the universal evil of society
- Loyalty: Seen most in the Proctors. Although John betrayed her in
one sense with his affair with Abigail, and Elizabeth kept a 'cold
house', in the legal proceedings their loyalty is unchallengeable.
Proctor calls her 'my dear good wife; and then admits adultery
(tarnishes his name to save his wife). However, in Salem the
loyalty becomes a destructive force which destroys the Proctors
(e.g. when Elizabeth lies about John's relationship with Abigail)
- Reputation: Hugely important in theocratic Salem. The focus on maintaining public pressure is key in the play
with fears that their names will be tainted through association and so the characters' actions are to preserve
their names. Parris fears that Abigails' questionable actions and Betty being in a coma will tarnish his
reputation and force him from his pulpit. Early in the play he has the opportunity to testify against Abigail but
chooses not to for this reason. Proctor also (see integrity), he would sooner die than tarnish his name 'I have
given you my soul; leave my name'
- Hysteria: Idea that actions of one
person can influence the majority if
explored in the crying out scenes.
Hysteria can supplant logic and those
in Salem use it to express repressed
sentiments and act on long-held
grudges (Abigail v Elizabeth)
- Betrayal: Salem society
riddled with betrayal,
neighbours betray each other
for exterior motives (e.g.
Abigail v Proctors, Tituba)
- Conflict: Major theme with battles
between villagers over land as
important as indivduals v law (e.g.
Giles v Putnam, Abigail v
Elizabeth, Putnam v Francis
Nurse). Parris in particular
strengthens his position using
those who question his authority
as a scapegoat (e.g. Proctor)
- Greed and ambition:
Factions in Salem and a
struggle for power, Putnam
joins sides with Parris
(despite having no respect
for him) in an attempt to gain
power. Putnam also buys up
his neighbours' land after
they are arrested / executed
- Empowerment: The witch trials empower
characters who were previously marginalised
in Salem society. In general, women work as
servants until they marry at which point they
are controlled by the husband. As the
Putnam's greatest fear is the defiance of God,
the girls' claims dominate the court and their
word becomes virtually unassailable. Tituba,
whose status is the very lowest being black,
deflected the blame by accusing others
- Danger of Ideology: Since religious men ran the
government, the Puritans considered all actions
to be good or even 'sanctioned by heaven'.
Therefore any attempt to even question the court
is seen as an attempt to overthrow God. Danforth
and Hathorne believe they are emissaries of
God, while Abigail uses their narrow-minded
approach to her advantage
- Individual v Society
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