The CrucibleA haunting examination of groupthink and mass hysteria in a rural community The place is Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, an enclave of rigid piety huddled on the edge of a wilderness. Its inhabitants believe unquestioningly in their own sanctity. But in Arthur Miller's edgy masterpiece, that very belief will have poisonous consequences when a vengeful teenager accuses a rival of witchcraft—and then when those accusations multiply to consume the entire village. First produced in 1953, at a time when America was convulsed by a new epidemic of witch-hunting, The Crucible brilliantly explores the threshold between individual guilt and mass hysteria, personal spite and collective evil. It is a play that is not only relentlessly suspenseful and vastly moving but that compels readers to fathom their hearts and consciences in ways that only the greatest theater ever can. "A drama of emotional power and impact" —New York Post |
Contents
Introduction by Christopher Bigsby | 2 |
ACT | 47 |
ACT THREE | 77 |
ACT FOUR | 112 |
Echoes Down the Corridor | 135 |
Common terms and phrases
Abby ABIGAIL accused authority beginning believe Betty break bring charge CHEEVER child Christian church comes confess Corey court Crucible DANFORTH death deny Devil discovered door ELIZABETH enters evidence Excellency eyes face fear FRANCIS GILES girl give glances goes gone Goody HALE hand hang hard HATHORNE hear heard heart Hell Herrick Honor hope hurt John Proctor judge keep knew live look Marshal MARY WARREN mean Miller Mister morning murder never night Nurse PARRIS Pause play pointing poppet pray proof PUTNAM question raises Rebecca Reverend rises Salem Sarah seems seen sense silent sits soul speak spirits stands starts stop surely tell Thomas thought Tituba told turns village voice walks weeping wife witchcraft witches witness woman