WEEK 8 HOMEWORK

Look up the meaning of the word which constitutes the title of the play, "crucible", and give a dictionary definition. How appropriate do you consider the title to be? Write a paragraph in answer, referring to one of the play's themes to justify your response. Post on your blog before 8.20 Tuesday.  I was able to locate three variations of the definition for Crucible: 1. A vessel made of a refractory substance such as graphite or porcelain, used for melting and calcining materials at high temperatures. 2. A severe test, as of patience or belief; a trial. See Synonyms at trial. 3. A place, time, or situation characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual, social, economic, or political forces I believe the title is highly appropriate as The Crucible is a severe test of belief and patience, and it is certainly characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual and political forces. For instance, one theme strongly portrayed during the play is that of loyalty. Loyalty no doubt tests the commitment one has to their beliefs and their community. There are a few characters in the play who do show this character trait positively, for example, Rebecca Nurse, who despite the uproar and pressures to confess, remains loyal to God and her faith. Other characters do not possess such characteristics, instead having betrayed God and their friends. This is represented well in the character of Abigail Williams. Abigail betrays her beliefs, she lies and sins. Additionally, she blackmails and wrongs her friends, as she accuses innocent people in order to save herself. In terms of 'a situation characterised by the confluence of powerful intellectual and political forces', the Crucible shows this through the use of abuse of power and authority. This can be seen when Parris uses his role as reverend to make accusations and uneccessary input. The Salem trials is an event of total anarchy, and everyone uses the opportunity to blame those who they do not respect in any sense, abusing their given rights to save themselves. I think the title is highly relevant to the situation. It is undoubtedly a test of belief and a situation that is characterised by the powerful intellectual and political forces.

Write a paragraph explaining the connection between the McCarthy era and the play. Be concise and prioritise your ideas. Think and plan before you write! Post to your blog before Monday's lesson.

WEEK SIX HOMEWORK

Is John Proctor a hero or not? We have debated this in class. Now choose the most effective point in the argument for or against and write a paragraph on this point with a really effective topic sentence and evidence from the play in support. Include at least one correctly punctuated quotation. Post to your blog for tomorrow’s lesson.


I don't believe this is a fairly debatable topic and I myself would classify John Proctor as a 'tragic hero', due to the qualities he shows and the way he impacts the community of Salem. Whilst he does make some mistakes, these are only minor setbacks compared to the noble, honourable and righteous qualities John no doubt posesses. John, throughout the play, had always been one to seek truth and goodness. When the witch hunt began, while others were continually blaming friends and foes on the happenings at the time, never did John blacken someone else's name to protect himself. He didn't judge a single person, he was the one who proposed the idea that perhaps the girls were simply 'pretending' that the devil was amongst them. Proctor continually battled for justice for those who had been falsely accused. No denying, John certainly denounces those who abuse their powers, and he does not have trust in Parris or the church - he feels as though they do not have proper faith and their way of praising god and doing good is not right. John has a very good name in the village, many people admire the man he is, “In Proctor’s presence a fool felt his foolishness instantly” (p.142.) Toward the end, John eventually decides it is better to be honest and loyal to God than tell a lie and shame his friends. He goes against the crowd, he stands for what is good and right. John is a man of courage and greatness - and that is how he chose to die.

Week 5 Homework

Why do you think John Proctor decides to confess? Why does he change his mind? Give evidence for both your answers. Post on your blog before Friday's lesson.


I believe John Proctor decides to confess as he values his life very much, in particular his wife Elizabeth Proctor and family. He does not want to leave her, and admires her very much. In the early beginning of their conversation, John asks how the baby and his sons are going. After hearing about them, he decides he wants to confess, probably due to the fact he wants to be there for his family which he loves very much.  He was very confused about his decision, he asked Elizabeth for her advice on the situation, her reply simply being "I cannot judge you, John, I cannot!" It is his choice to sign his name on the confession documents. However, John has a change of heart as he begins to sign the confession. Rebecca Nurse, who along with John is also to be hanged that morning for involvement with the devil, says something to him that will question his next move. Danforth asks Rebecca to confess as John did. Rebecca, surprised and disappointed in John, replies, "Oh, John - God send his mercy on you!" Danforth repeats, a little frustrated, "I say, will you confess yourself, Goody Nurse?" but Rebecca replies with dignity, "Why, it is a lie, it is a lie; how may I damn myself? I cannot, I cannot." After this, and when Parris and Danforth announce his signed papers will be shown to all at the church window, John decides he would rather stand for the truth and support his friends. He couldn't bare to sign away his name and be damned to hell for lying and sinning. He decides he is a good, honest man, and that is the way he will die too.

Week 4 Homework #2

Re-read the final scene between John and Elizabeth. Elizabeth refuses to advise her husband but she clearly has a point of view on his situation. In her heart, what does she want him to do? What would she say to him if she could? Post to your blog before Monday's lesson.


In this scene, we see a strong display of hidden emotion from Elizabeth. When her husband refuses to confess, instead facing the harsh consequence of being hanged, Elizabeth remains quiet and composed. She does this as she realises the good and honest man her husband is. John is a faithful and loyal man with good morals, he would rather perish whilst standing for the truth rather than walk away a free man only carrying the conscience of having told a lie. Elizabeth knows this is a decision her husband must make, as if she were to convince him to confess then she knows quite well he would suffer his life with the burden of not having told the truth, and fought for justice. She would rather see him go as a good, kind man who did the rightful, honest thing and be proud of himself for it than see him suffer in his lies. So, although she does very much wish her husband would confess and live, she knows it is a choice he must make on his own and she respects that very much. 

Week 4 Homework

Read Danforth's speech to Elizabeth at the top of page 116. It begins "Goody Proctor, you are not summoned here for disputation." Danforth has asked Elizabeth to speak to John to try to get him to admit his guilt. Elizabeth does speak to John but she does not reply to Danforth. Construct a response to Danforth. What do you think she might have wanted to say to him in response to his accusation that she is "stone"? Make your response as long as Danforth's speech. Due Friday. Post on your blog.

HOMEWORK 2

The Crucible Act 1 In his introduction of John Hale starting on page 37, what attitude does Arthur Miller take to the belief in the devil/evil spirits? Write a paragraph response using quotations in support of your explanation. This is quite a difficult passage. You will need to read it carefully and give your response some thought. Post on your blog by Monday 8.20.


When John Hale is introduced into the script The Crucible on Page 37, Arthur Miller expresses his beliefs and opinions on the devil, and evil spirits that follow. Miller describes the Devil as 'a weapon designed and used time and time again in every age to whip men into a surrender to a particular church or church-state.' He conveys the idea that the church, or christian community, have moulded and enthused the idea that the devil is simply a creator and cause of death or unexplainable evil. He quotes that 'until the Christian era the underworld was never regarded as a hostile area', and it was seen that all gods were useful, important and generally kind to man. Miller proposes the idea that perhaps the discovery of the 'Devils work' is a tool, or a scare tactic, the church may have used to draw people into their community, to preach and pray so that they may not be condemned to hell. The Church community defies that everything pure, wholesome, and good to be related with God's work, whilst anything to do with wrong doings and evil, peculiar happenings must be the work of the devil. Miller supports this when he writes that "sex, sin, and the Devil were early linked.” As human beings, we look for a balance and we constantly seek answers and information behind the way things occur. In the play, there are an abundance of strange occurrences, with no explanation the village people are convinced into thinking that it is evil spirits taking over. Through the use of the character Mr Hale, Arthur Miller inflicts an opinion that the devil is more or so a creation grown by the Church from ancient beliefs that has been indented into our minds; and consequently as the curious creatures we are we have adapted to believing in such reasons for evil as we search for answers in all occurrences of our lives.