The Crucible Unit Test Review
The Puritan Way of Life / The McCarthy Era
1. The term “elect” means what?
Those people selected by God to go to heaven.
2. The term “predestination” means what?
Whether or not you are one of the “elect” was established by God before you were born.
3. What do the Puritans believe about the Bible?
It is the literal word of God
4. What do the Puritans believe about the devil?
He is real, everywhere, a worldly threat.
5. Explain the concept of theocracy?
There is no separation between church & state. The church IS the government
6. The term “McCarthyism” refers to what?
The time on history during the 1950’s when hearings were held to determine if people were communist sympathizers
7. Playwright Arthur Miller was questioned during the McCarthy era and what else happened to him?
He was held in contempt of court (put in prison) for not naming people at meetings he attend to find out what communism was about.
8. After the McCarthy hearings, what happened to Senator Joseph McCarthy?
He was charged with Abuse of Power and dismissed from the Senate
9. Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible for what reason?
To show how the McCarthy hearings were nothing more than “witch trials,” that the Senate, just like Judge Danforth, was more about fear and power than real justice.
10. Explain how The Crucible is an allegory!
The characters and events in The Crucible represent (Or are a huge metaphor) for the Salem witch trials in 1690. Miller wanted people to see the parallel between the McCarthy hearing and the witch trials to show what happens when fear determines people’s actions and corruption is allowed to govern without being stopped.
Identify all of the following definitions/characters
11. allegory - an extended metaphor (story where the characters and events symbolize something else the audience will recognize.)
12. internal conflict - Conflict within a character’s own head/heart…. Proctor – to confess or not.
13. setting - time & place – Salem Massachusetts, 1690
14. climax - peak part of a story – when Elizabeth lies in court
15. external conflict - character in conflict with an outside force – Abigail v. Elizabeth
16. situational irony – we expect on thing an another happens – nobody will listen to Rev. Hale at the trials.
17. dramatic irony – we know something the characters in the play do not – Abigail is lying.
18. antagonist - obstacle or “bad guy” in the story - Abigail
19. allusion - reference to another known subject to make a point – “Pontius Pilate” / Crowds parted like the sea of Israel.
20. protagonist character who drives the action, the “good guy” – John Proctor
Review your Study Guide!!!
Review your character chart!!!