SHORT ANSWERS - THE CRUCIBLE
Answer the following questions.
(i) What is a crucible?
Ans. A crucible is a container that can withstand very high temperatures and is used for metal, glass, and pigment production as well as a number of modern laboratory processes. It's a little container full of violent reactions. It is a good metaphor for the violent hysteria that the little village of Salem contained during the witch trials.
(ii) What is an overture? Why does Miller use on in 'The Crucible'?
Ans. An overture is a dramatic instrumental musical opening, and also a prelude. In "The Crucible", the first Act is named "An Overture" because it is the beginning of a series of dramatic events that will occur throughout the course of the play. It provides relevant and interesting background information on the events that occurred during the Salem witch trials.
(iii) Why did Arthur Miller write "The Crucible"?
Ans. The McCarthy hearings, which sought to root out communists in the U.S. government during the early 1950s inspired Arthur Miller to write "The Crucible". However, the most obvious reason Arthur wrote "The Crucible" is because he had a story to tell. Without that, he would not have been inspired to write.
(iv) Why does Miller open Act IV of 'The Crucible' with a scene of madness?
Ans. By opening Act IV with its chilling, yet pitiful scene of madness among the prisoners, as seen especially in Tituba's ravings, Miller powerfully conveys the depth of the misery, suffering, and insanity wrought by the witchcraft trails. This scene also creates a dark atmosphere and a somber tone of the tragic final events that are about to unfold.
(v) Why was Abigail dismissed from her job at the Proctor's house?
Ans. Abigail was dismissed from her job at the Proctor's house when Elizabeth discovered her affair with her husband John Proctor.
(vi) What does fire symbolize in 'The Crucible'?
Ans. The play's title is a reference to fire, in that a "crucible" is a vessel made to withstand extremely high temperatures. The symbol of fire is a potent one for this play. It symbolizes wild emotions, emotions suppressed, lust, sexual undertones, sexual desires, chaos, vengeance, deceit and destruction.
(vii) Interpret 'Them that will not confess will hang'.
Ans. This line is from "The Crucible" spoken by Danforth when some people were about to be hanged for witchcraft. People were asked to sign a crime list as a confession to save their lives. John refused to confess to something he had not done. The statement is ironic because none of them actually had committed witchcraft. It means the lairs would live and the honest would be hanged.
(viii) How does Abigail thrives on the attention of all in the court and become the centre of excitement?
Ans. Abigail thrives on the attention of all in the court and becomes the centre of excitement by pretending witch hunting.
(ix) What does Abigail do when suspicion that she might be pretending falls on her?
Ans. When Abigail is suspected of pretending, she denies it and actually threatens Deputy Governor Danforth, the man presiding over these proceedings. She says to him that he could be the next accused by her, that he is not exempt from the Devil's power of hers. Moreover, Abigail turns against Mary Warren, claiming that the girl has sent her spirit out.
(x) Why does Abigail accuse Proctor's wife?
Ans. Abigail accuses Proctor's wife of witchcraft, most likely because she is in love with John Proctor. Accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft may get Elizabeth out of the picture and make room for her. A second reason for accusing her of witchcraft includes protection. If John's own wife is accused, he will be less inclined to condemn all the girls.
(xi) What are Abigail's feelings towards John Proctor?
Ans. Abigail is in love with John Proctor. When she worked for the Proctors, she and John had a brief affair. She has brooded over her sexual encounter with Proctor for seven months. The more she thinks about the affair, the more Abigail convinces herself that Proctor loves her but cannot express his love because of his wife, Elizabeth.
(xii) Why does John Proctor confess his act of adultery?
Ans. Proctor confesses his act of adultery with Abigail to defend his wife, Elizabeth; Abigail has a motive for wanting to accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft. Moreover, he wants to discredit Abigail in the eyes of the court.
(xiii) Why has Proctor refused to let Parris baptize his third child?
Ans. Proctor has serious issues with Parris. He thinks that Parris is overly concerned with money; he preaches about getting golden candlesticks, and wants the mortgage to the meetinghouse. He does not really think that Parris is a good representative of God so he refuses to let Parris baptize his third child.
(xiv) How has Proctor earned his death?
Ans. "The Crucible" ends with John Proctor marching off to a martyr's death. By refusing to lie and confess to witchcraft, he sacrifices his life in the name of truth. In fact, Proctor has in some way regained his goodness. Thus he has earned his death by asserting his individuality against the authority of the court.
(xv) Why is Cheever both astonished and afraid when he finds the puppet with the needle in it?
Ans. Cheever has not once doubted the Proctors. He did not believe Abigail's story that Elizabeth's spirit stabbed her in the stomach. When he finds the poppet, he is astonished because it is evidence enough for him to believe that Abigail was telling the truth and Elizabeth is a witch. He is afraid both by the thought of what will happen to her and the thought of how rampant the witchcraft in his own town.
Ans. A crucible is a container that can withstand very high temperatures and is used for metal, glass, and pigment production as well as a number of modern laboratory processes. It's a little container full of violent reactions. It is a good metaphor for the violent hysteria that the little village of Salem contained during the witch trials.
(ii) What is an overture? Why does Miller use on in 'The Crucible'?
Ans. An overture is a dramatic instrumental musical opening, and also a prelude. In "The Crucible", the first Act is named "An Overture" because it is the beginning of a series of dramatic events that will occur throughout the course of the play. It provides relevant and interesting background information on the events that occurred during the Salem witch trials.
(iii) Why did Arthur Miller write "The Crucible"?
Ans. The McCarthy hearings, which sought to root out communists in the U.S. government during the early 1950s inspired Arthur Miller to write "The Crucible". However, the most obvious reason Arthur wrote "The Crucible" is because he had a story to tell. Without that, he would not have been inspired to write.
(iv) Why does Miller open Act IV of 'The Crucible' with a scene of madness?
Ans. By opening Act IV with its chilling, yet pitiful scene of madness among the prisoners, as seen especially in Tituba's ravings, Miller powerfully conveys the depth of the misery, suffering, and insanity wrought by the witchcraft trails. This scene also creates a dark atmosphere and a somber tone of the tragic final events that are about to unfold.
(v) Why was Abigail dismissed from her job at the Proctor's house?
Ans. Abigail was dismissed from her job at the Proctor's house when Elizabeth discovered her affair with her husband John Proctor.
(vi) What does fire symbolize in 'The Crucible'?
Ans. The play's title is a reference to fire, in that a "crucible" is a vessel made to withstand extremely high temperatures. The symbol of fire is a potent one for this play. It symbolizes wild emotions, emotions suppressed, lust, sexual undertones, sexual desires, chaos, vengeance, deceit and destruction.
(vii) Interpret 'Them that will not confess will hang'.
Ans. This line is from "The Crucible" spoken by Danforth when some people were about to be hanged for witchcraft. People were asked to sign a crime list as a confession to save their lives. John refused to confess to something he had not done. The statement is ironic because none of them actually had committed witchcraft. It means the lairs would live and the honest would be hanged.
(viii) How does Abigail thrives on the attention of all in the court and become the centre of excitement?
Ans. Abigail thrives on the attention of all in the court and becomes the centre of excitement by pretending witch hunting.
(ix) What does Abigail do when suspicion that she might be pretending falls on her?
Ans. When Abigail is suspected of pretending, she denies it and actually threatens Deputy Governor Danforth, the man presiding over these proceedings. She says to him that he could be the next accused by her, that he is not exempt from the Devil's power of hers. Moreover, Abigail turns against Mary Warren, claiming that the girl has sent her spirit out.
(x) Why does Abigail accuse Proctor's wife?
Ans. Abigail accuses Proctor's wife of witchcraft, most likely because she is in love with John Proctor. Accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft may get Elizabeth out of the picture and make room for her. A second reason for accusing her of witchcraft includes protection. If John's own wife is accused, he will be less inclined to condemn all the girls.
(xi) What are Abigail's feelings towards John Proctor?
Ans. Abigail is in love with John Proctor. When she worked for the Proctors, she and John had a brief affair. She has brooded over her sexual encounter with Proctor for seven months. The more she thinks about the affair, the more Abigail convinces herself that Proctor loves her but cannot express his love because of his wife, Elizabeth.
(xii) Why does John Proctor confess his act of adultery?
Ans. Proctor confesses his act of adultery with Abigail to defend his wife, Elizabeth; Abigail has a motive for wanting to accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft. Moreover, he wants to discredit Abigail in the eyes of the court.
(xiii) Why has Proctor refused to let Parris baptize his third child?
Ans. Proctor has serious issues with Parris. He thinks that Parris is overly concerned with money; he preaches about getting golden candlesticks, and wants the mortgage to the meetinghouse. He does not really think that Parris is a good representative of God so he refuses to let Parris baptize his third child.
(xiv) How has Proctor earned his death?
Ans. "The Crucible" ends with John Proctor marching off to a martyr's death. By refusing to lie and confess to witchcraft, he sacrifices his life in the name of truth. In fact, Proctor has in some way regained his goodness. Thus he has earned his death by asserting his individuality against the authority of the court.
(xv) Why is Cheever both astonished and afraid when he finds the puppet with the needle in it?
Ans. Cheever has not once doubted the Proctors. He did not believe Abigail's story that Elizabeth's spirit stabbed her in the stomach. When he finds the poppet, he is astonished because it is evidence enough for him to believe that Abigail was telling the truth and Elizabeth is a witch. He is afraid both by the thought of what will happen to her and the thought of how rampant the witchcraft in his own town.
No comments:
Post a Comment