Section 1: The Crucible

Section 1: The Crucible

1. Key Moments

   • Act 2: The scene in the Proctor's house and Hale comes to question them
     • Mary: "I'm an official of the court, they say"
   • Act 4: The scene when Hale is arguing with Danforth, and John agrees to confess himself
     • Hale: "There is blood on my head, can you not see the blood on my head?"
     • Hale: "Better you should marvel how they do not burn your province!"
     • John: "Who is John Proctor, who is John Proctor?"
     • John: "I have give you my soul; leave me my name!"
   • Act 3: The scene when they're in the courtroom and the girls are mimicking Mary, forcing her to rejoin them

2. Context

   • Written by Arthur Miller

3. Themes and Issues

   • McCarthyism
     • People started accusing others of having communist beliefs and working with the Russians. Anyone could be accused, and getting accused could end your career and ruin your reputation completely. This took place during the 1950s and in America.