Overview
This lecture covers Act 1 of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," focusing on the setting, main characters, early plot developments, and central themes.
Setting & Context
- The play is set in 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts, during the Salem witch trials.
- A strictly theocratic society shapes the fears and behaviors of the townspeople.
- The community is tense due to fear of witchcraft and underlying personal grievances.
Main Characters Introduced
- Reverend Parris discovers his daughter Betty and other girls dancing in the woods.
- Abigail Williams, Parris's niece, is a central figure in the accusations.
- John Proctor, Thomas Putnam, Rebecca Nurse, and Reverend Hale are significant townspeople.
- Tituba, Parris’s slave, is accused of witchcraft and pressured to confess.
Plot Developments
- Rumors of witchcraft spread after Betty falls into an unresponsive state.
- Abigail denies witchcraft but manipulates the truth to avoid punishment.
- Rivalries and grudges between families surface as accusations begin.
- Tituba, under threat, confesses and implicates others to save herself.
- The scene ends with many girls naming supposed witches, escalating mass hysteria.
Themes & Motifs
- Hysteria: Fear spreads quickly and overrides reason.
- Reputation: Characters are deeply concerned about social standing.
- Authority: Religious and governmental power dictate actions and justice.
- Lies and Deceit: False accusations and confessions drive conflict.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Theocracy — A system where church and state are combined, and religious leaders hold power.
- Witchcraft — The practice of magical skills, seen as a crime in Puritan society.
- Hysteria — Collective fear and panic that spreads through a community.
- Accusation — A claim that someone has done something wrong, often without evidence.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read Act 1 of "The Crucible" in full.
- Identify motivations of key characters introduced.
- Prepare discussion points on how fear and reputation influence actions.