Themes
What would be a theme in The Crucible about the topic : religion?
Sample themes may include:
Religion should not blindly be followed
Religion is only as good as the people in it
Religion does not guarantee morality
Et cetera
Which two characters have the most severe internal conflicts inside of The Crucible?
Hale and Proctor
What is Arthur Miller's opinion on how society treats the balance between safety and security?
He does not think a balance has been found yet.
Who would have likely said a quote like this:
"You see, sir, I-I can't properly remember what happened."
Mary Warren
Which biblical figure do characters use as a metaphor for the evil in man?
The devil
What would a theme be for The Crucible about the topic : power?
Sample themes may include:
Power corrupts men
People will do unspeakable things to gain power
Those that hold power will eventually crumble
Et cetera
Which character, despite causing conflicts with many of the other characters prior to the beginning of the play, was still respected?
Giles Corey
Would Miller be more in support of liberal freedom or social order?
Liberal freedom - his whole story is about how harsh rules cause groups to fracture from the pressue.
Who would have likely said a quote like this:
"Me love me children. I never do nothing to harm them."
Tituba
What is the significance of someone "signing the devil's book?"
It means they have sold their soul to the devil
What would be a theme in The Crucible about the topic: law?
Sample themes may include:
The law does not always protect the innocent
The law does not guarantee morality
The law can be a tool for evil in the wrong hands
Et cetera
Name two conflicts that exist inside of The Crucible that include groups of people as opposed to individuals.
Anti-Church v. Church
Accusers v. Accused
Topsfield v. Salem
Andover v. Courts
Et cetera
There were four judges in The Salem Witch Trials; why does Miller only choose to focus on two of them?
Sample answers (there are many):
Danforth as the most powerful, is the one he needs to represent corruption in the law
It simplifies the story
He is only showing a fraction of the court cases held
Et cetera
Who would have likely said a quote like this:
"You do not understand! There are enemies all around me trying to drive me from my station!"
Parris
If The Crucible is allegory, which two characters best represent Arthur Miller's critique of the society he lives in?
Hale and Proctor
Construct two thematic statements that appear as if they are opposing messages, but explain why they are not.
Example:
The law does not guarantee morality
Those in power must do the right thing
Since The Crucible speaks on corruption, it shows people in power doing the wrong thing. These themes support the exact same line of reasoning.
How does Proctor's internal conflict evolve over the course of The Crucible?
He shifts from grappling with his own hypocrisy in Act 1 to debating whether or not he is willing to trade his safety (and other's) for the reputation that he has yet to tarnish.
What is Arthur Miller's solution to a moral and just society?
There are different possible answers, but mine is that he believes everyone has an individual responsibility to do the right thing if they are able.
Isolate two elements from the fake quote below that are aspects of Hale's characterization:
"She clearly has no sign of the devil in her! Mr. Danforth, you surely can't be suggesting that she is possessed!"
It is someone who can comfortably address Danforth defiantly
It is someone who feels comfortable evaluating signs of the devil
It is someone who is attempting to convince someone else they are wrong
Et cetera
Name two different instances in which characters have used metaphor and/or allusion to The Bible to make a point.
Some examples:
Proctor with the story of Raphael to convince Mary Warren to do the right thing
Proctor accusing Herrick of refusing to do the right thing by comparing him to Pontius Pilate
Danforth using the story of Cain and Abel to make the point that good people can do terrible things
Et cetera
Argue for what you believe to be the most important theme inside of The Crucible.
My response:
Ideology is dangerous and must be fought at every turn is the most important theme in The Crucible. Arthur Miller shows a system that has gotten out of control because of the ideas that drive it. Those who were originally the voice of those ideas are discarded in lieu of the hysteria that follows.
Determine which character you believe is responsible for most of the conflict in The Crucible and justify your answer.
My response:
Danforth is responsible for the most conflict in The Crucible. While readers might suggest Abigail causes all of the problems in the play, the real root issue at hand, supported by Arthur Miller, is Puritan society. Danforth is the only character the represents the inflexibility of Puritan culture and law to the point where he is a metaphor for all that is wrong in the town.
Bearse Hinkley - the man who essentially forces Fuller to overcome his ignorance and do the right thing.
Construct a quote that can only have been said by Betty Parris and explain why that is true.
My sample:
"I want to fly Abby! I want to go to mama!"
By including the missing mother figure, I am able to distinguish Betty from the adult figures who claim they are witches in the back sections of the play.
A possible answer (there are many):
The paper that Proctor refuses to sign is a symbol for legacy. While Proctor would allow his words, which will not last, to be used to save his life, he refused any steps that would make his confession more permanent than that. Miller establishes the idea of legacy and the permanence of the written word in Proctor's final moments.