Government

How is theocracy broken in the play?  How does the government as presented in the play differ from U.S. government today?

Title

Using both the dictionary defintion and associations of the word crucible, explain why Miller chose The Crucible as the title of the play.

Responsibility

Who holds the most blame for the events that occured in Salem?  Justify your response.

Character

Frequently in serious literature, one character assumes the role of the voice of reason.  Who would you classify in this role after reading The Crucible?

Character

Brainstorm and list human frailities found in the character(s) in the play and suggest who possesses each fraility.  Justify your response.

Allegory

Is the play a political allegory?  Explain.

The Puritan Myth

What is Puritanism?  Why did they come to America?  If the play is accurate, what myths do you find? 

Community

Who is part of the community in Salem?  Who is excluded?  How and why does the trial change they typical order of the community?  What happens to the community when the order is changed? 

Order Vs. Individual Freedom

Why did the Puritans come to America?  What level of individual freedom do you see in Salem?  What level of order?  What happens when one or other gets out of balance?  When does order become autocratic? 

Tragedy

Discuss whether or not the play is a tragedy.  Is there a tragic hero?  Who has a tragic flaw?  What moral weakness or psychological maladjustment do they see?  What social pressures are prominent?