The Crucible Group

Question:

kodysgink
kodysgink
Student
High School - 11th Grade

What are two examples of themes that appear in Act 1 of "The Crucible"?

Specifically human cruelty in the name of righteousness, individuality vs community, justice vs retribution and revenge, ignorance vs wisdom, and order vs individual freedom.

Rate question:

Posted by kodysgink on Monday October 27, 2008 at 2:45 PM and tagged with act 1, characters, the crucible, themes.

Answers:

  1. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Human cruelty/righteousness 

    Tituba being whipped by Reverend Parris, in order to get to the truth about what was going on in the woods.

    Tituba confesses to witchcraft, naming the names of innocent people because Parris and Hale demand it.

    Individuality/community

    John Proctor is acting in an individual way when he chooses to not attend church because he does not like Parris.  The community demands that all members attend church without question.

    The community rises up in an act of hysteria against those who are accused of witchcraft.  As individuals they are powerless against the community.

    Justice/Retribution 

    Thomas Putnam seeks retribution against Nurse because she did not vote for his candidate for Pastor.

    Mrs. Putnam seeks retribution for the death of her 7 infants, she claims it is justice, but it is revenge.

    Ignorance/wisdom

    The causes of things that the Puritans did not understand were blamed on witchcraft.

    Betty's illness, which is faked, Parris is too ignorant to see it. Rebecca Nurse is smarter she knows the girl is faking.

    Proctor has a singular wisdom regarding the whole witchcraft hysteria, he thinks that people will see the truth, but ignorance and fear win out.

    Order/individual freedom

    In an effort to restore order to the town hundreds are arrested and accused of witchcraft to protect the village.  Individual freedom has no value, people are simply thrown in jail.

       

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/crucible/critical-overview
    http://www.enotes.com/crucible/summary-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/crucible/themes

    Rate answer:

    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Monday October 27, 2008 at 3:30 PM