Name: ________________________ Block: ____
The Crucible Literary Terms
Allegory: is a form of extended metaphor, in which objects, persons and actions in a
narrative are equated with the meanings that lie outside the narrative itself. The
underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance and characters are
often personifications of abstract ideas as charity, greed or envy. Thus an allegory is a story
with two meanings, a literal meaning and a symbolic meaning.
After reading, be able to describe how The Crucible could be an allegory for McCarthyism.
Consider the motivation behind the accusations and confessions.
Foreshadowing: A writer’s use of hints or clues to indicate events that will occur in a
story. Foreshadowing creates suspense and at the same time prepares the reader for what
is to come.
What is Reverend Hale’s reputation prior to his arrival? What may Reverend Hale’s arrival
foreshadow based on his reputation? (p.172)
Stage Directions: These are the playwright’s instructions for the director, performers, and
stage crew. Usually set in italics, they are located at the beginning of and throughout a
script. Stage directions usually tell the time and place of the action and explain how
characters move and speak. They also describe scenery, props, lighting, costumes, music or
sound effects.
What do the stage directions reveal about how Abigail and John each feel about their
relationship in Act I? (p.176)
Foil: A character whose traits contrast with those of another character. A writer might use
a minor character as a foil to emphasize the positive traits of the main character.
Who in The Crucible is a foil to another character? Which traits do each character possess?
Irony: refers to a contrast between appearance and actuality; three types of irony are
verbal, situational, and dramatic.
Verbal irony occurs when someone states one thing and means another. Sarcasm is a form
of verbal irony.
Situational irony is a contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually does
happen, as in the poem “Richard Cory,” when a gentleman who is admired and envied
commits suicide.
Dramatic irony occurs when readers know more about a situation or a character in a story
than the characters do.