Boost your understanding of The Crucible with detailed, easy-to-read notes! Perfect for students, these notes cover key themes, character analysis, and major plot points, helping you ace your literature exams. Whether you're revising or looking for quick summaries, these notes will make studying si...
THEMES
AND
INCIDENTS FROM
THE DRAMA
COMPILED BY MORGAN MOODLEY
, THEMES AND INCIDENTS FROM THE DRAMA
‘THE CRUCIBLE’
1. Mass Hysteria and Mob Mentality:
The town of Salem becomes consumed by mass hysteria as accusations of witchcraft
spread.
People are easily swayed by rumours and fear, leading to the persecution of innocent
individuals.
INCIDENTS :
The accusations of witchcraft snowball after Tituba and the girls name other supposed
witches, creating a climate of fear and suspicion.
The girls' fainting fits and their claims of seeing spirits spark a frenzy of accusations
against various individuals in the community.
The scene in the courtroom where people are arrested based on flimsy evidence and
spectral evidence shows how hysteria leads to unjust persecution.
The town's growing belief in the existence of witches fuels an environment where
people are quick to believe any accusation.
The public hangings and executions of those accused of witchcraft highlight the extreme
consequences of the mass hysteria.
2. Intolerance and Conformity:
The rigid Puritan society enforces strict rules and punishes any deviation from norms.
Non-conformity is seen as a threat, and those who question authority are labelled as
outsiders.
INCIDENTS :
John Proctor's refusal to attend church regularly is seen as a sign of his non-conformity
and becomes a point of suspicion.
Giles Corey's refusal to name his informant in court demonstrates his resistance against
conforming to the authorities' demands.
The strict moral code of the Puritan society forces characters to hide their true thoughts
and feelings to fit in.
Proctor's confession of his affair with Abigail showcases how individual choices are
judged by societal norms.
Characters like Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey are accused of witchcraft simply
because they don't conform to the norms of the society.
3. Fear and Paranoia:
The fear of the unknown and the supernatural drives the events of the play.
Characters are motivated by their fear of being accused or implicated in witchcraft.
INCIDENTS :
The girls' initial fear of being punished for dancing in the woods leads to them accusing
others to deflect blame.
The fear of being accused of witchcraft causes characters to turn on each other and
make false confessions.
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