The Crucible

1. Compare the roles that elizabeth proctor and abigail williams play in the crucible?

2. What kind of government does salem have? What role does it play in the action?

3. Discuss the changes that reverend hale undergoes in the course of the play.

Please understand that no one here will do your work for you. However, we will be happy to read over whatever you come up with and make suggestions and/or corrections.

Please post what you think.

This site may help you.

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/crucible/

1. To compare the roles of Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams in The Crucible, you can analyze their character traits, motivations, relationships, and impact on the storyline. Here's how you can approach answering this question:

- Study their character traits: Elizabeth Proctor is known for her moral integrity, loyalty, and struggle with forgiveness. Abigail Williams, on the other hand, is characterized as manipulative, deceitful, and vengeful.
- Consider their motivations: Elizabeth is primarily motivated by protecting her family's reputation and preserving her marriage. Abigail, on the other hand, is driven by jealousy, a desire for power, and her personal vendetta against Elizabeth.
- Examine their relationships: Elizabeth is married to John Proctor and their relationship is complicated by John's affair with Abigail. Abigail, on the other hand, is infatuated with John and seeks to eliminate Elizabeth to have him to herself.
- Evaluate their impact on the storyline: Elizabeth's role in the play mainly revolves around her husband's affair and her eventual honesty about it. Her refusal to lie contributes to the tension and conflict in the story. Abigail, on the other hand, starts the witch hunt and fuels hysteria in Salem with her false accusations, creating chaos and leading to many unjust executions.

By comparing these elements, you can better understand the contrasting roles and contributions of Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams in The Crucible.

2. To understand the type of government in Salem and its role in the action of The Crucible, analyze the historical context and the events depicted in the play. Here's how you can approach answering this question:

- Historical context: The Crucible is set in the town of Salem, Massachusetts, during the late 17th century. At that time, the colonists in Massachusetts were governed by a system known as the Puritan theocracy, which blended religious beliefs with governmental control.
- Role of government: Salem's government was heavily influenced by Puritan beliefs and religious leaders, who held significant power. The government played a central role in enforcing Puritan morality and punishing those considered deviant or sinful.
- In the play: The government's influence is evident in Salem through the strict moral code enforced by figures like Reverend Parris and the court officials. The witch trials, which form the central conflict of the play, are fueled by the government's desire to maintain religious purity and eradicate perceived evil.
- Impact on the action: The government's power and influence contribute to the atmosphere of fear and oppression in Salem. The intense scrutiny and suspicion maintained by the authorities drive the characters' actions, as they must navigate the consequences of deviating from societal norms set by the government.

By considering the historical context, role of government, and its impact on the action in The Crucible, you can better understand how the government in Salem influences the events and characters in the play.

3. To examine the changes that Reverend Hale undergoes in The Crucible, you will need to analyze his initial beliefs, motivations, and how they evolve over the course of the play. Here's how to approach answering this question:

- Initial beliefs: Reverend Hale initially arrives in Salem as an expert on witchcraft with a strong belief in the existence of witches. He sees himself as a devout and knowledgeable authority figure, dedicated to discovering and rooting out evil.
- Motivations: Hale's motivations stem from his genuine concern for the well-being of the community and his desire to protect it from perceived evil. He genuinely believes he is fighting for righteousness and is committed to bringing justice.
- Changes: As the play progresses, Hale begins to question the validity of the witch trials as he witnesses the manipulation, false accusations, and wrongful executions. He starts to doubt the fairness of the proceedings and the credibility of the court. These doubts lead to a crisis of conscience for Hale, causing him to question his own role in perpetuating the hysteria.
- Evolution: Hale undergoes a transformation from an unquestioning believer to a more critical and empathetic individual. Recognizing the flaws in the legal system and the destructive consequences of the trials, he eventually denounces the court and attempts to save the accused individuals.

By analyzing Reverend Hale's initial beliefs, motivations, and the changes he undergoes throughout the play, you can gain a better understanding of his character arc and the impact it has on the story.