What Does The Overture Serve In The Crucible

The Crucible

Pre-Reading

The setting is Salem, Massachusetts, in year 1692. Someone once said of the Puritans that they did not leave Europe because they were persecuted, but that they were thrown out of Europe because they persecuted everyone else. As you read the opening of Act Ⅰ, how do you suppose Miller would respond to that statement? On page four of The Crucible, Miller states: “To the European world the whole province was a barbaric frontier inhabited by a sect of fanatics who, nevertheless, were shipping out products of slowly increasing quantity and value.” This indicates that Miller’s view on the reason for the Puritans leaving of Europe was because they were infact, persecuted. This is suggested in the usage of words like barbaric and fanatics. Both of these words could be used by a group of people who were persecuting another group of people.

Act One

What purpose does the Overture serve? The

overture serves for multiple purposes. It informs the reader on a bit of history about the Salem witch trials, and informs the reader about how and why Arthur Miller chose to write a play on the based around the trials along with other information that analyzed the play as a whole and it’s connections to other literary sources. All of this information gives the reader a better outlook and understanding of the play.
When Abigail enters, she is described as “a strikingly beautiful girl...with endless capacity for dissembling.” What does the phrase “an endless capacity for dissembling” suggest? The dictionary definition of dissembling is: conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs. Therefore, this phrase suggests Abigail has an endless ability to be untrustworthy or manipulative.
When Susanna exits, Abigail makes a confession to Parris, which she recants near the end of the Act. What is the confession, and why does she change her mind? When Susanna exits Betty’s room. Abigail confesses to Paris that she and a few other girls had just been dancing in the woods for fun. Towards the end of the act, however, Abigail recants her confession by stating that she had been infact dancing for the devil. She does this because soon before her confession, Hale says to Tituba that if she confesses to interacting with the devil, that God will protect her, so Abigail, wanting to also be under God’s protection confesses to dancing for the devil.
Explain the relationship between Abigail and Goody (Elizabeth) Proctor.

Abigail and Goody Proctor’s relationship is not normal. The two do not like each other because Goody knows that Abigail and Goody’s husband, Proctor, had an intimate relationship. Goody also does not like Abigail because she is disobedient and does not act how a proper servant should.

What are Putnam’s motivations for his actions in Salem? Putnam is seen to be a bitter, depressed man with little good intentions. His past includes many cases of fraud and hatred. Because of his hard past, Putnam feels like since he suffered, everyone else in the town of Salem should as well.

Explain the dramatic irony when Parris says, “I know that you---you least of all, Thomas, would ever wish so disastrous a charge laid upon me.” The irony in this quote is relevant because Thomas Putnam is known to be deceiving and mischievous throughout the town, so really what Parris said is almost sarcastic because Thomas Putnam would infact be the perfect one to wish such a disastrous charge to be laid upon

Parris.
What role did Ann Putnam play in the dancing in the forest? Ann Putnam has a daughter named Beth but before her birth she had six failed pregnancies.
Explain briefly how Putnam coerces Parris to declare witchcraft.
What does Betty’s information about dancing in the forest reveal about Abigail’s true motivation?
What does the threat of a “pointy reckoning” reveal about Abigail’s true nature?
What does Miller mean by: “A Proctor is always marked for calumny”?
Describe Mary Warren’s personality.
Contrast Proctor’s verbal excuse about why he has come to Parris’s house with what his actions indicate may be his true motivation for coming.
Explain Proctor and Abigail’s relationship.
What does Abigail say that leads Parris, Putnam, and Mrs. Putnam to believe Betty is bewitched?
Describe Rebecca Nurse physically and by reputation.
What three grudges could the putnams have against the Nurses?
In Proctor’s argument with Rev. Parris, the theme of authority arises. What are the two points of view?
What does Giles ask Hale that shows his comical, innocent personality?
What effect does Miller create by lowering the curtain for this act during the girl's’ cries of witchcraft?