The Crucible Notes - Characters & Quotes

GCSE English

Ways to introduce points:

Arthur Miller makes us aware...
Miller presents...
The author makes it clear that...
Arthur Miller evidently sympathises with...
Miller makes (character) say...
Miller tells us through (character)...
Miller wants the reader to know that...

Herrick

Arrests Elizabeth with “somewhat shamefaced”

General:

Spring sunlight streams through the window. The light contrasts with the dark, oppressive events.
The sunlight puring through the windows symbolises the light that the court hopes to shine on the accused but its also ironic as the court never discovers the truth or chooses not to rather.
The court sees itself as doing God’s work so undermining the court would be perceived as an attack on God.
The jail is dark and dirty, symbolising how events in Salem are driven by malice.
Morning sun symbolises hope, that the deaths will end the witch trials and eventually lead to the fundamental change in theocratic society that allowed these ‘murders’ to happen.
The simple, more or less identical appearance of the characters creates a mood of drabness and conformity that reflects the strict moral code of their theocratic community.
Miller invited the audience to see the parallels between Salem witch hunts and America and its investigations by HUAC.
People in Salem have a “predilection for minding other people’s business”
Good people like Rebecca Nurse and Elizabeth aren’t scared by witchcraft, Miller could be suggesting people’s fear is actually driven by their guilty consciences.
Miller uses language to dictate the pace of the play.
The Crucible is an allegory, in this case a story based on

Reverend Parris:

Act One opens with Reverend Parris “evidently in prayer” at his daughters bedside. The word evidently suggests he wants to make it obvious he’s praying. Appearances are very important to him.
Tells Proctor “there is a party in this church. I am not blind; there is a faction and a party.” He’s paranoid of people plotting to get rid of him.
Shows signs of doubt, is described as having a “mad look” Wants to postpone hangings so there is not a rebellion. He wants to do it for his own safety.
When he first out the girls ...

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Reverend Parris:

Act One opens with Reverend Parris “evidently in prayer” at his daughters bedside. The word evidently suggests he wants to make it obvious he’s praying. Appearances are very important to him.
Tells Proctor “there is a party in this church. I am not blind; there is a faction and a party.” He’s paranoid of people plotting to get rid of him.
Shows signs of doubt, is described as having a “mad look” Wants to postpone hangings so there is not a rebellion. He wants to do it for his own safety.
When he first out the girls conjured spirits he says “They will topple me with this!” His main concern is his job and reputation.

Abigail Williams:

Abigail’s tone of voice and actions reveal a lot about her. For example she “lowers her eyes” and talks “innocently” to Parris. But talks to Proctor “tauntingly”
People now “ part like the sea of Israel” for Abigail. This shows the authority she’s gained.
Says in an “open threat” to Danforth: “ Think you can be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits?”
Described as “strikingly beautiful”
A rebel “a wild thing may say wild things” Doesn’t conform to society.
An orphan, claims she “saw Indians smash my dear parents heads on the pillow next to mine.”
Never received any love from Parris. Parris had “no interest in children, or talent with them”
Description of Abigail shrouded in a “pearly light” is ironic as she is far from angelic.
The “new sun” pours onto Elizabeth’s face symbolises change dawning on Salem. Miller states the “power of theocracy...was broken” by the witch trials.

John Proctor:

Relationship with Elizabeth lacks passion and is cold. Elizabeth “receives” Proctor’s kiss rather than embracing it. Proctor complains “It’s winter in here yet”. The lack of warmth and joy in the house reflects problems in their relationship.
Proctor’s house is “low” and “dark”, which gives a feeling of being trapped. But there’s a door which opens to the fields, which gives a sense of hope for the relationship.
Ironically Abigail’s attempts to break up their marriage bring them close together.
They’re not honest with each other Elizabeth “would speak but cannot”. And Proctor lies about seeing Abigail alone. This lack of openness could symbolise the lies and secrecy within Salem.
Ironic he forgets commandment about adultery. The sin he’s most guilty of.
Won’t sacrifice his reputation to save women like Goody Osburn only when Elizabeth is accused he acts. Another flaw.
Has a fatal flaw – lust for Abigail.
Wants Elizabeth’s forgiveness but she reuses telling him her forgiveness isn’t important. He needs to forgive himself.
Drawn to Abigail who’s passionate and immoral shows there’s a part of him who doesn’t want to follow society.
“My wife will never die for me!”
Could represent Miller or others accused of Communism as they had to decide whether to confess or stay loyal to their morals.
Represents the struggle between obedience to society and individual freedom.
“Vengeance is walking Salem” Personifying vengeance makes it sound more frightening and powerful.
“God in Heaven, what is John Proctor, what is John Proctor?” Not worried about signing a false confession as he is “no saint” In the end he decides he can’t live with himself without his identity, the only thing he has left. “I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” At the end he can see a “shred of goodness” in himself.
Change in Proctors character contrasts with characters that don’t learn anything, Parris.

Elizabeth Proctor:

Described as someone who “cannot lie” but her love for John is so strong she lies to try and save his reputation even if it be that it goes against her morals.
“You are not open with me” to John.
By Act Four takes part of the blame of John’s affair.

Judge Danforth:

Describes the court as a “hot fire” that “ melts down all concealment”
“Do you know who I am, Mr Nurse?”
“the voices of Heaven is speaking through the children”
“I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law [God]”
“An exactly loyalty to his position and cause”
Uses Latin to seem more educated.

Hale:

Has a guilty conscience, describes himself as Proctor’s “murderer”
Describes girl’s accusations as “ the harlots cry” Shows how his opinions have changed.
Described as an “eager eyed intellectual”
“There is blood on my head”
Rather than trying to protect his reputation he admits his mistakes and tries to stop the hysteria.

Putnam’s:

When Tituba confessed to dealing with the Devil Putnam asks “Did you ever see Sarah Good with him?” He encourages to accuse her, this is the power of suggestion.
Glad the girls are ill. Goody Putnam is “shiny-eyed” and describes Betty’s illness as “a marvel”

Mary Warren:

Talks to Proctor with “impatience”
Is a “subservient, naive, lonely girl”

Rebecca Nurse:

“If Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing’s left to stop the whole green world from burning”
Uses her wisdom and foresight to foreshadow later events, which builds tension.

The Girls:

Describes each girl in a few words: Susanna Walcott is “a nervous, hurried girl”, and Betty Parris is simply “aged ten”. Their personalities and youth explain how Abigail intimidates them so easily.
Mercy Lewis is described as “fat, sly, merciless girl” – her personality is opposite of her name which is ironic.

Ezekiel Cheever