English Topic

Crucible Act III --Reader’s Journal

Directions: As you read Night by Elie Wiesel, please complete the following Reader’s Journal

WHAT: Quote from Text Please include page number

Suggested focus: conforming influences

HOW: ● Identify: specific word or phrase ● determine device ● define

Choose One

A. Literary Device ( please specify the word/phrase)

● diction ( word choice)-- what word is important? Why define

● forms of imagery ( word that creates an image): o hyperbole ( exaggeration)-- what word is being

exaggerated? why define? o simile ( comparison using like or as)-- what

two things are being compared? Why? o metaphor ( straight comparison)--what two

things are being compared? o synecdoche (body part/represents the whole)--

what metaphor is created with the use of the synecdoche?

o personification ( making inanimate things alive)-- what is being personified?

● symbol ( represents ideal)-- what is represented?

● allusion (specific reference)-- to what specific item?

● alliteration (repetition of first letter)-- what words are the focus?

● repetition-- what is repeated? define it ● parallel sentence structure-- what

structure is similar?

WHY:

Choose One

A. Importance to the work ( rhetorical appeals/audience reaction)

● helps create ethos ( trust in the author’s words)

● lends to pathos ( emotional reaction to narrative)

● lends to logos ( logical response to narrative)

B. Creates the allegory ● parallel events to 1950’s to create

social commentary on: American conformity, prejudice

● subtly expose the hypocrisy of American propaganda versus reality( hypocrisy)

● archetypal character to make commentary regarding 1950’s behavior/individuals

C. Creates Miller’s message ● wants to warn audience of the harm

to individual freedom ● report his experience/educate

Ex. ( Judge Danforth to Proctor) "But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between."

Ex. “with this court”= Avoid: concrete summary: Hawthorne wants Proctor to be with the court

Critical Analysis: “with” represents a conforming view, “counted against it” poses a veiled threat

Ex. Allegory: parallel events to 1950’s to create social commentary on: American conformity

Quote #1

(Danforth to Francis Nurse, et al, when the court’s legitimacy is questioned)

“And do you know that near to four hundred are in the jails from Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature?”

“And seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature? …”

“near to four hundred”=

Critical analysis: ellipsis ( missing word-people, implies not important) diction 400=implied threat, symbolic representation of power

“in the jails”=

Critical analysis: diction “jails”-isolation, trap, punishment, symbol of power of the dominant class/threat

“signature”=diction ( legal entity/acknowledgement), symbol of power

“72 condemned to hang “=diction condemned (negative connotation-punishment), murder

WHY? ● parallel events to 1950’s to create

social commentary on: American conformity, prejudice

Quote #2

( Danforth-- a conservative Calvinist allied with Putnams-- to Proctor) Indeed not, but it strike hard upon me that she will dare come here with such a tale. Now, Mr. Proctor, before I decide whether I shall hear you or not, it is my duty to tell you this. We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment. 183

● Identify: specific word or phrase ● determine device ● define

“I ( Judge Danforth) decide whether I shall hear you or not”=

“decide”=diction ( choice) power

“hear”=diction ( listen) power

“decide”= diction/word choice ( choice), symbol of power

WHY? Miller is trying to teach his audience about the abuses of political power in 1950’s Red Scare

“hear”= diction ( listen), symbol of power

“We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment.”= burn= representation of threat of hell, metaphor ( ot really burning, pressure and heat) “melting down”= refers to title/Crucible-- pressure to conform

Quote #3 (Danforth to Francis Nurse): “No, old man, you have not hurt these people if they are of good conscience. But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between. This is a sharp time, now, a precise time - we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now, by God’s grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it”

“ that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, “=diction/word choice “ with” “count against” ( meaning difference, contrast), “counted” metaphoric ( emotional feeling, geographical, enemies)

“there be no road between”: no road ( diction/word choice-- path, metaphor ( journey, choice of allegiances)

“dusky afternoon when evil mixed”= dark images

good and befuddled the world.= metaphor “good” metaphor for those allied with Putnams

WHY? Miller is trying to teach his audience about the abuses of political power in 1950’s Red Scare

Quote #4

Abigail (in an open threat). Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it! There is—(Suddenly, from an

● Identify: specific word or phrase ● determine device ● define

“ Let you beware, Mr. Danforth.”=”beware” diction (look out), symbol of her power

Miller is trying to teach his audience about the abuses of political power in 1950’s Red Scare

accusatory attitude, her face turns, looking pg 192

Quote #5

Mary Warren ( originally tried to tell the truth about the girls, but she’s forced to lie-- says this to Proctor). I’ll not hang with you! I love God, I love God. (hysterically, indicating Proctor). He come at me by night and every day to sign, to sign, to— (hysterically, pointing at Proctor, fearful of him). My name, he want my name. “I’ll murder you,” he says, “if my wife hangs! We must go and overthrow the court,” he says!(her sobs beginning). He wake me every night, his eyes were like coals and his fingers claw my neck, and I sign, I sign . . (screaming at him). No, I love God; I go your way no more. I love God, I bless God. (Sob- bing, she rushes to Abigail.) Abby, Abby, I’ll never hurt you more!

● Identify: specific word or phrase ● determine device ● define

“I’ll not hang with you ( Proctor)!”= diction “hang” ( support, be harmed alongside Proctor)

“Abby, Abby, I’ll never hurt you more!”=

diction “hurt” ( harm feelings, or power)

Miller is trying to teach his audience about the abuses of political power in 1950’s Red Scare