what is a thesis statement for the crucible

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What Is a Good Thesis Statement on “The Crucible”?

One thesis statement for Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” would be that the book uses the Salem witch trials to explore what happens when someone accuses someone else of treason or subversion without having proof. Another thesis would be that the play also shows the affect extreme behavior has on society and how quickly widespread fear and panic spreads.

To avoid punishment, several young girls caught conjuring spirits in the woods blame a slave woman for corrupting them. These girls also accuse other women in Salem of practicing witchcraft. With no one knowing who is and isn’t a witch, despite no evidence that anyone is practicing witchcraft, the residents of Salem are soon gripped by fear and demand the accused be put on trial. “The Crucible” draws from the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s, where U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy oversaw large-scale investigations into Americans accused of being communists.

These witch hunts hide several hidden agendas, much like the McCarthy hearings did. For example, Thomas and Ann Putnam use the paranoia in their community to increase their landholdings. They accuse their neighbors of witchcraft and buy their land after their executions. Abigail Williams, who spearheads the initial accusations, does so after her lover, John Proctor, ends their relationship. By accusing his wife, Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft, Abigail clears the way to resume her relationship with John and ultimately marry him.

John Proctor is one of a few people who doubt the accusations. He worries about coming forward because he knows that Abigail will reveal their affair. He also fears her accusing him of witchcraft. He represents a common fear during the McCarthy era, where people feared retribution for coming forward and clearing the names of their neighbors.

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Ideas for a Thesis on "The Crucible"

Jana sosnowski.

Abigail Williams and John Proctor become ensnared in a tale of guilt, false accusations and condemnations in Arthur Miller's 1952 play, "The Crucible." The play depicts Abigail's accusation against Proctor's wife after Abigail's affair with the farmer, and it is believed that Miller penned the play in response to the anti-Communist "witch hunt" of the 1950s.

Explore this article

• Thematic Theses
• Historical Relevance and Setting
• Character Analyses
• Miller and McCarthyism

1 Thematic Theses

Developing a thesis based on themes of "The Crucible" presents an opportunity to support or refute common themes associated with Miller's play. Puritan culture and its conflict with individualism may be developed into theses about the ability of individuality to exist in Puritan culture or how religious beliefs influence day-to-day life and affect individuals. The town-wide hysteria of the play also presents a theme for discussion, as Miller himself acknowledged the dangers of hysteria. The idea of hysteria may be developed into a thesis about human nature and the need to follow along with the masses or how standing up against the larger group presents problems for the individual.

2 Historical Relevance and Setting

"The Crucible" takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692 during a historical period known for witch hunts, which Miller researched extensively, according to commentary by Harold Bloom. Theses that compare the play to the historical city may consider how Miller chooses to represent the early Puritan society or the commentary Miller seems to be making about the society. Additionally, you may research the witch trials of this era and develop a comparison between the historical facts and images presented in Miller's work.

3 Character Analyses

Another area for discussion is Miller's use of the protagonist and antagonist, John Proctor and Abigail Williams. Theses focusing on the characterization of each can look at the perceived gender roles of the Puritan era. Additionally, Proctor and Williams can be compared in terms of their acceptance of responsibility for their actions and how that ultimately manifests into the conclusion of the play. Analyst Karen Bovard looks at the more general scale -- the varying representations of the male and female characters. The two main characters can be compared in terms of what they might signify about the gender roles in Puritan society. Comparisons between those who hold varying social statuses, including ministers and servants, may be developed into theses about social stratification and truth.

4 Miller and McCarthyism

While "The Crucible" depicts Puritan society during the witch trials, Miller's experience with the Communist red scare of the 1950s, including the House Committee on Un-American Activities, is often said to be the basis for the hysteria portrayed in the play. Theses comparing the play to the McCarthy era may focus on the governmental condemnation that results when rumors are started about a fellow citizen. An argument may also be developed that Miller was, in fact, talking about himself in the writing of this play. A thesis might also focus on the power of one person to create false accusations in a community.

• 1 Bloom Guides; Arthur Miller's The Crucible; edited by Harold Bloom
• 2 Women in Literature: Reading Through the Lens of Gender; edited by Jerilyn Fisher and Ellen S. Silber
• 3 Critical Companion to Arthur Miller: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work; Susan C. W. Abbotson
• 4 The Crucible: Penguin Edition; Arthur Miller

About the Author

Based in Los Angeles, Jana Sosnowski holds Master of Science in educational psychology and instructional technology, She has spent the past 11 years in education, primarily in the secondary classroom teaching English and journalism. Sosnowski has also worked as a curriculum writer for a math remediation program. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism from the University of Southern California.

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The Crucible by Arthur Miller Essay

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Introduction

What issues are being adressed, how the issues are handled, works cited.

The crucible is a play written in the McCarthyism era by Arthur Miller. McCarthyism was a movement in the nineteen-fifties led by Senator Joe McCarthy in search for communists in the government of the United States. A crucible as defined is a vessel whereby heating and melting of metal using high temperatures take place for sole purposes of casting.

Metaphorically, a crucible can also refer to an era in history where the society seems to be melted down and remolded into a new castby the forces of great cultural, social, and political changes. The same word has remarkable similarities with crucifixion, which is the major intention of Miller by choosing it to be the title of his play.

The plays interweaves Christ’s crucifixion with the picture of a bubbling crucible in it a man and a society: the predicament of arriving to the right choice of morality and the inevitability of attaining redemption through sacrifice. These two themes, certainly, occur in the amplified struggle between good and evil.

The crucible puts to lime light countless enduring issue that affects our society at large. These issues include honor and integrity, power issues and its abounding corruption, the characteristics of excellence and wickedness, and the likelihood to evade all sorts of problems by creation of scapegoats. This paper aims at showing how the crucible exposes the above named issues in a dramatic fashion.

The issues of honor and integrity are depicted very well in the Crucible. Conscience is an inward sense of decency which propels most people towards what we term as being right(Miller 1). Nevertheless, in moment of public discord, we end up give our consciousness the rear seat which is naturally expected of us.

For one to stand up for the right thing even in the most challenging opposition, it asks for a strong will of conscience(Miller 2). Although taking such an action is perceived as noble and honorable in retrospection, it is rarely received well by the majority in real and actual events. Miller handles the issue of integrity and honor by bring the character of proctor.

The reason as to why proctor was hanged, it was because he chose to uphold his integrity at the end. If proctor had chosen to compromise his integrity by confessing thus lying, he would not have been blamed by the audience. Proctor realized that by compromising he would betray his close friends therefore he chose to sacrifice his life for his conscience.

By following his conscience, and sacrificing his life, proctor became a real martyr before the audience eyes (Miller 3). This trend repeats itself even in our day to day life. We are very quick at applauding those who chose to uphold their integrity but we do not have enough strength of moral fiber to do so. The death of proctor turns out to be a moral exclamation point, and the modern audiences would be affected profoundly(Archer 5).

A large part of the play is dominated by the issues of power. Domineering criminals in the play have power possession and this prompt Miller to sound a warning on the corrupting qualities behind power. This is depicted clearly when Abigail and the other group of girls after realizing that they posses great power, they seek to use it for their own benefits.

Danforth possessesthe greatest power in the play, and he had the capacity to declare the proceedings at any one given time for the irrationality they were in (Archer 7). However, even at the final point when his actions were plainly and clearly not upright he preferred to proceed with his judgment.

The crucible playdisplayed how excess power is harmful and dangerous, since the temptation is ready waiting to be abused. The individuals in power in Salem, when scrutinized under theocratic government justification are found to absolutely abuse power, and in process destroying innocent people. This gives a clear illustration of how the law is not always correct, and if that is the case, we are supposed to stand up to it(Bly 2).

Proctor did exactly that by challenging the court. Power does not usually land on the principled or the prudent, but rather in the control of self centered individuals. Today In our very democratic governments, the authorities are responsible to the entire society for the things they decide to do, and therefore, are under control to a given degree. From the play, we can see clearly that a position assuming excess power and having no oneto be responsible to tends to be corrupted by that power.

It has always been noted that,numerous societies come up with some sort of scapegoat for any atrocity that they face. At that particular time,Salem was notan exception (Bly 5).

At that period, the population was becoming uncomfortable with the extreme measures taken by the government to ascertain that they never deviated, and this caused general crisis. Danforth desire to control this crisis could have led him to execute the condemned ‘witches’ to a point far beyond any comprehension of therational mind would know that the actions were not right(Miller 2).

Danforth might have desired to show the population how rebels like Proctor were punished and the execution through hangings could have acted as warning to anyone planning to carry out a social upheaval. As a matter of fact, the devil has always served as a very easy scapegoat. Thebehavior to always find a scapegoats goes on even today, and there is always someone who takes the blame on our behalf.

Much had to be offered to the audience by the play Crucible in 1996. The issues addressed by the play are very much similar to the issues facing our modern world. There is much the modern audience canidentify with the issue of corruption and power, integrity and honor,the issue of rule governing the society and the methods used to condemn those people who deviate from the rulestogether with our burning desires to blame others by creating a scapegoat.

Important issues to the Americans were addressed by the Crucible. The crucible exposed what the world in general is facing in real sense, people in power are manipulating powers bestowed on them to control other people and impose ideologies which are not sensible. Hunger for power and control have led to people committing crimes against humanity.

Also, the inability of people to withhold their integrity has caused innocent people to suffer in the place of those guilty for committing an atrocity. People in power hide under the shadow of authority to oppress the weak and vulnerable. The crucible has played a very important role in addressing what is actually happening in the world.

Archer. The Crucible : Theme. Web.

Bly, William. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible . USA: Barron’s Educational Series, 1984.

Bradford, Wade. The Crucible – A Challenging Masterpiece . 2011. Web.

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible . A&C Black, 2010.

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Bibliography

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Higher English > The Crucible Critical Essay Introductions and Conclusions > Flashcards

The Crucible Critical Essay Introductions and Conclusions Flashcards

What is the summary of the play?

Set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, the play focuses on the protagonist John Proctor as he struggles to overcome his past transgressions, prior to the play, when he committed adultery with Abigail Williams which subsequently controls and influences the outcome of the play. Abigail charges various citizens of practising witchcraft, leading to Proctor’s death.

What is the introduction to the play for the question - Choose a play in which there is a central character brings about his or her downfall because of a weakness within their character.

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ explores a character who possess a significant weakness. John Proctor, the antagonist, is unwilling to forgive himself after committing adultery with Abigail Williams. It is this inability to forgive himself that prevents him from revealing Abigail’s lies before they gather momentum and ultimately lead to his downfall in the play’s denouement.

What is the introduction to the play for the question - For a play you have studied, choose a scene in which a character is forced to face up to the truth about himself/herself?

Arthur Millers ‘The Crucible’ is a play where a character is forced to face up to the truth about themselves. John Proctor is a crucial character in the play who’s actions influence the outcome of everyone else. John’s struggles and worries of his tainted past are clearly shown throughout the play. Only through the personal sacrifice and matyrdrom can the constraints of Salem’s society be broken

What is the sentence for the techniques to convey the ideas in the play?

Through the use of characterisation, key scene and dialogue Arthur Miller successfully conveys/demonstrates and refer back to question.

What is the introduction to the play for a question about setting?

Arthur Miller’s the crucible is a play that makes use of setting to make the main ideas of the play more comprehensible and believable. After accusations of witchcraft, hysteria breaks out in Salem. Only through the use of setting can the main ideas be conveyed to the reader and the outcome of the play be explained.

What is the introduction to the play for a question on choose a play in which a central character struggles to cope with social convention or financial difficulties or family duties?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ contains a central character who struggles to cope with social convention. The protagonist John Proctor, is unwilling to forgive himself after committing adultery - an act frowned upon by the Puritan community. It is his inability to forgive himself and need for self preservation that subsequently controls and influences the outcome of the play, resulting in Proctors death.

What is the introduction for choose a play in which the concluding scene provides effective clarification of the central concerns?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘ The Crucible ‘ concludes with a scene that provides effective clarification of the central concerns in the play. The protagonist John Proctor, is unwilling to forgive himself for committing adultery with Abigail Williams. Proctors need for self preservation and unwillingness to forgive himself influence the outcome of the play and result in his death in the denouement of the play.

What is the introduction for choose a play in which the conflict between two characters is an important feature?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ explores a conflict between two important characters which influence the outcome of the play. John Proctor ,the protagonist, is tortured and weighed down by the guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Due to this, Proctor life is influenced by Abigail who is ultimately the cause of his death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play which focuses on a relationship which is destructive or is in crisis?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ focuses on a relationship which is destructive. The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, ultimately leading to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play in which a major character behaves in an impulsive or calculating or emotional manner?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ focuses on a character who behaves in a calculating way.The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, ultimately leading to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play in which there is a scene which influences the course of future events?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ contains a scene which influences the course of future events.The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, by accusing her of witchcraft, ultimately leading to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play which deals with the theme of honour or shame or betrayal?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ explores the theme of betrayal. The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life and not betray his wife again. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, by accusing her of witchcraft, ultimately leading to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play which has an effective opening scene or concluding scene?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘ The Crucible ‘ which has an effective opening scene. The protagonist John Proctor, is unwilling to forgive himself for committing adultery with Abigail Williams. Proctors need for self preservation and unwillingness to forgive himself influence the outcome of the play and result in his death in the denouement of the play.

What is the introduction for choose a play in which a major character’s actions influence the emotions of others?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ contains a major character who influences the emotions of others. The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, by accusing her of witchcraft, ultimately leading to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play in which there is a scene involving a moment of conflict or of resolution to conflict?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ contains a scene involving a moment of conflict. The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured and weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, by accusing her of witchcraft. Proctor attends court in the hope of pleading his wife’s innocence, which results in a conflict, that ultimately leads to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for choose a play which explores an important issue or issues within society?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ explores the issue of suppressed desire in the Puritan community of the 1690s. The protagonist John Proctor, is unwilling to forgive himself after committing adultery - an act frowned upon by the Puritan community. It is his inability to forgive himself and need for self preservation that subsequently controls and influences the outcome of the play, resulting in Proctors death.

What is the introduction for a character who, makes a vital error?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ contains a scene where a character makes a vital error. The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured and weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, by accusing her of witchcraft. Proctor attends court in the hope of pleading his wife’s innocence but when presented with the chance to save herself and her husband, Elizabeth’s natural lie to protect her husband ultimately leads to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the introduction for a scene that acts as a clear turning point?

What is the introduction for choose a play where the emotions of one or more characters reach a climax?

Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ contains a scene involving a moment of conflict. The protagonist, John Proctor, is tortured and weighed down with guilt of his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor tries his hardest to remove Abigail from his life. However it is his rejection of her that results in Abigail seeking revenge on his wife, by accusing her of witchcraft. Proctor attends court in the hope of pleading his wife’s innocence, which results in a climax of his emotions, that ultimately leads to Proctors death in the plays denouement.

What is the conclusion to the play?

To conclude - refer to question. Had Proctor been able to overcome his excessive pride and forgive himself for the the adultery he committed and not been so preoccupied with his past transgressions and reputation in Salem, he could have revealed his knowledge of Abigail earlier in the play and prevented the deaths of many people, as well as his own. Ultimately his inhabiting to forgive himself which was his fatal weakness and Miller successfully conveys the power conscience has over us. The play as a whole provides a powerful message about the dangers of being swept up in hysteria as well as the difficulties placed upon an individual to conform to society.

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Themes and Analysis

The crucible, by arthur miller.

Through 'The Crucible,' Miller explores several important themes, such as the power of fear and superstition and the dangers of religious extremism.

Article written by Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

Arthur Miller’s ‘ The Crucible ‘ is one of the most powerful and poignant plays ever written . Set in the Puritan town of Salem during the 1690s, the play focuses on a series of trials that ultimately reveal the dangers of fear and ignorance. The play is filled with important symbols and themes that drive the narrative, many of which are highly relatable, even today.

The Corruption of Power

In the story of ‘ The Crucible ,’ power corrupts absolutely. In the village of Salem, the court proceedings are directed by those in authority, such as Reverend Parris and Deputy Governor Danforth. They misuse their power to further their own personal agendas, leading to false accusations and wrongful executions. The corruption of power serves as a warning against allowing authority figures to control everyday life without consequence.

The Dangers of Hysteria

‘ The Crucible ‘ demonstrates how quickly hysteria can spread and affect a community. With the accusations of witchcraft, fear and paranoia spread like wildfire among the citizens of Salem. This leads to even more accusations and further isolation of those thought to be guilty. The play warns readers against succumbing to hysteria and shows the real danger it can pose when left unchecked; this relates directly to McCarthyism in the 1950s in the United States.

Ignorance and Intolerance

Many of the characters in ‘ The Crucible ‘ are ignorant and intolerant of others , especially those they view as outsiders. This is demonstrated through the character of Reverend Parris, who is deeply suspicious of anyone who is different or opposes him. Similarly, intolerance is shown when those accused of witchcraft are assumed to be guilty despite a lack of evidence. The play emphasizes the need for tolerance and understanding in order to prevent further strife.

Key Moments

• Reverend Parris discovers his daughter and niece dancing in the woods with Tituba, his slave, and other girls from the village. Betty falls into a coma.
• Parris questions the girls about witchcraft.
• It’s revealed that Abigail had an affair with her former employer John Proctor. She still wants to be with him.
• Betty wakes up screaming.
• Tituba confesses to witchcraft. Abigail joins her.
• Abigail and the other girls begin to accuse various citizens of Salem of witchcraft.
• Mary Warren, now a court official, testifies against John Proctor in court. 
• Elizabeth urges John to go to town and convince them that Abigail is not telling the truth. She is suspicious of their relationship.
• Mary gives Elizabeth a poppet.
• John is questioned by Reverend Hale.
• The town marshal arrests Elizabeth and finds the poppet, which has a needle in it.
• Mary admits she made the poppet in court, and Elizabeth claims she’s pregnant.
• The girls start screaming in court, saying that Mary is sending her spirit to them.
• Elizabeth convinces John to admit to witchcraft.
• John Proctor signs a confession but then rips it up before it can be used as evidence against him. 
• John Proctor is put to death after refusing to lie about being a witch.

Tone and Style

The tone of Arthur Miller’s ‘ The Crucible ‘ is serious and intense due to the subject matter of the Salem Witch Trials. Miller captures a sense of urgency and fear that pervaded the small town of Salem at the time, which amplifies the drama and tension between the characters. This serves as a reminder of the underlying paranoia that can quickly infect a community.

The writing style of Miller’s play is direct and succinct. Miller deliberately focuses on dialogue and action, allowing for a natural flow to the story as it unfolds. He also uses strong language to draw attention to the ways in which fear and paranoia can lead to injustice. Through this approach, Miller effectively conveys the consequences of these events. In part, this is due to the format of the story. It’s a drama, meaning that it is almost entirely composed of only dialogue.

Witchcraft is the most obvious symbol in ‘ The Crucible ‘, representing the fear and paranoia of the characters during the Salem Witch Trials. Miller uses it to reflect the rampant hysteria of the time and how quickly false accusations spread throughout Salem. Witchcraft can also be seen as a metaphor for the powerlessness of individuals in the face of a repressive and superstitious society. 

Proctor’s House

John Proctor’s house serves as a symbol of both the struggles and the strength of his marriage to Elizabeth. It is not only a physical representation of their relationship but also an example of their commitment to one another. As their relationship unravels, so does their home, until it is eventually burned down by the townspeople. This symbolizes the breakdown of their marriage and the ultimate downfall of their relationship. 

The forest is a symbol of freedom in ‘ The Crucible .’ It represents the escape from repression, control, and oppression in Salem. By venturing out into the woods, characters like Tituba, Abigail, and Parris are able to reject societal norms and restrictions, allowing them to find their own paths. It is also a sign of hope for those who are struggling against the unjust and oppressive nature of Salem society.

What is the most important theme in The Crucible by Arthur Miller?

The most important theme in “The Crucible” is the power of public opinion and hysteria. It demonstrates how an environment of fear and superstition can be manipulated to create a situation of paranoia and distrust. 

Why is The Crucible by Arthur Miller important?

‘ The Crucible ‘ is important because it explores themes of morality, justice, and personal responsibility. It also examines the effects of unchecked hysteria and paranoia on individuals and society as a whole.

Why did Arthur Miller write The Crucible ?

Arthur Miller wrote ‘ The Crucible ‘ as a metaphor for McCarthyism, which was a period of intense anti-communist sentiment in the United States during the 1950s. He wanted to illustrate how similar events could happen again if unchecked fear and paranoia were allowed to spread.

Who are some of the main characters in The Crucible ?

Some of the main characters in The Crucible include John Proctor, Abigail Williams, Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Parris, Reverend Hale, and Judge Danforth.

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