Ceja 1

Alberto Ceja

Mrs. Stier

Junior English, P. 2

10 October 2017

Final Assessment
The Crucible was mainly about a group of girls that go dancing in the forest with a black

slave named Tituba, while dancing they are caught by Reverend Parris. Parris is a Minister and

his daughter Betty falls into a coma. The Crucible by Author Miller takes place in Salem

Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1692. The Antagonist in the play is Abigail Williams who is the

niece of Reverend Parris that was also caught dancing in the forest. The protagonist in the play is

John Proctor who is a farmer who had an affair with Abigail Williams. The people feared the girl

fell into a coma because of witchcraft this fear caused them to behave in a crazy way.

In the 1600’s there was a type of religion called Puritanism and puritans were in the

Crucible. Puritans had different beliefs for example: man is sinful by nature “original sin”; man

can overcome this sinfulness by believing in Jesus and leading a good life, religion servers to

discipline, Believed that god might punish an entire community (with sickness, bad weather) due

to the sinfulness of some, and many more. This explain why the puritans panicked when

witchcraft was thought to be present in Salem, Massachusetts. They were so intolerant of

differences in region because of their beliefs like believing man can overcome this sinfulness by

believing in Jesus and leading a good life.

The Crucible was a tragedy because throughout the play, unfair and false accusation

happened in every direction. The fear of witchcraft contribute to sad ending. It all started with

the major event when Parris caught Betty and the girls dancing in the forest with Tituba. Then
 Ceja 1

Alberto Ceja

Mrs. Stier

Junior English, P. 2

10 October 2017

Abigail scares the girls so they will not speak the truth ever. Another example why this play was

a tragedy was when 99 people were accused of witchcraft in Salem. Abigail, along with the other

girls were taken to the courtroom with John and Elizabeth Proctor present. The last major

tragedy was when Proctor was going to be hung if he did not say the names the he signs a

document that stared that he was sentenced for witchcraft. These are examples of major events in

the Crucible mostly were tragedies.

The crucible had lots good examples of figurative language such as similes, metaphors,

imagery, hyperbole and many more. On Act II, there was two perfect examples of imagery that

create an image in your head by using descriptive words. “A wind, a cold wind has come.”

(Miller 188). This quote represents imagery because Author Miller uses “cold wind” to describe

the wind. Another example of imagery is, “We burn a hot fire here, it melts down all

concealment.” (Miller 179). This quote represents imagery because it describes the hotness by

using the word “melts”.

After Betty, fainted Parris is afraid that she will lose her and Parris thinks it is because of

witchcraft. Betty Parris, who was Reverend Parris daughter, was afraid of witchcraft and falsely

accused others of participating in it. Parris is scared about her daughter she proves it when she

cries, “Betty. Child. Dear child. Will you wake, will you open your eyes! Betty little one…”

(Miller 138). This quote represents that Parris is sad and afraid about Betty not waking up. Parris

cannot be convinced that witchcraft was not involved because he says, “Then you were conjuring
 Ceja 1

Alberto Ceja

Mrs. Stier

Junior English, P. 2

10 October 2017

spirits last night.” (Miller 142). He later finds out that there is no medicine because witchcraft

had to do with it, which he understands.

Abigail is a young girl who was dancing with her friends while they were dancing an

accident happened to Betty. Parris the minister thinks that accident happened because of

witchcraft but Abigail lies and acts that she thinks witchcraft was the reason. Abigail says, “We

dance, uncle, and when you leaped out of the bush so suddenly, Betty was frightened and then

she fainted. And there’s the whole of it.” (Miller 138). In frustration Parris says, “You call this a

sport? Abigail, if you know something that may help the doctor, for God’s sake tell it to me…”

(Miller 140). This line shows Parris frustration and not believing anything that Abigail is saying.

In conclusion, the Crucible was a deep tragedy story and had an interesting way to

explain how when people become extremely frightened of things they do not understand; they

can do horrible things to others. This relates to Parris who feared that Betty fell into a coma

because of witchcraft. This cause him to do horrible things to others. It also cause the people to

act in a crazy way this story gives a great example of how the puritans were.