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Symbolism In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

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Arthur Miller shows the definitions of crucible in a brilliant way throughout the play The Crucible. There are many ways that Arthur Miller connected the title of the play to the characters and events in the play. The three definitions of crucible show a strong relationship between the two. The definitions are a severe test of belief, a container for melting metals at extremely high heat, and concentrated forces to cause or change development.
The first definition of Crucible is a severe test of belief, this is shown in the play in both religious and non-religious ways. In the play it is shown in a non-religious way because the people of Salem didn’t know what to believe because so many different stories were being told. Abigail made up a plan to get rid of Elizabeth by stabbing herself with a needle, Hail …show more content…

At first the girls altered society when they were caught by Paris dancing in the forest, Abigail defended herself by saying “She always sings her Barbados songs, and we dance” (Miller 11). Later in the play Abigail brought more changes to Salem when she said “I want to open myself! I want the light of god, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the devil; I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss his hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the devil! I say Bridget Bishop with the Devil” (Miller 48) Betty and Abigail then continue saying names of people they saw with the devil. The title of the play the Crucible has many different meanings that are shown throughout the play. The definitions shown in the play are a severe test of belief, concentrated forces to cause or change development, and a container for melting metals at extremely high heat. The characters and events in this play help to connect the meaning Arthur Miller was trying to give to the play through the

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The Crucible was written in 1952 by Arthur Miller, the play delivers many messages and carries many themes throughout. Nearly every character in the play is put to the test to display an act of courage, weakness, or truth. Some characters lack these traits and never learn to have courage or display honesty. However, most characters are very courageous and demonstrate these acts throughout the whole play. Overall the theme of the The Crucible boils down to being about honesty, weakness, and courage.

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A crucible can either be defined as a vessel of heat resisting material used for high temperature chemical reactions, or a test or trial of the most severe and decisive kind. In the Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller, takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, during the Salem Witch Trials. Witchery is thought of as evil by the puritans living there. Witchery was believed to be linked with the devil, and bad luck. In the film version of the crucible, when someone was accused of witchery, by a group of girls who claimed to be able to see the devil with them, they were brought to court.

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A crucible can be defined in two definitions and one being, a piece of laboratory equipment used to hold and heat up liquids. How does this relate to the story? It only relates to science. On the contrary, this definition is relevant to the story. In one of the scenes, Parris and Hathorne are talking about the Salem community and what is happening due to the witchcraft trials.

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1. Miller, Arther. The Crucible. New York: Penguin, 2003. Print.

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