Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ and Hawthorne’s ‘The Scarlet letter’ (ppt notes)

Slide 1: ‘Through the telling and receiving of stories, we become more aware of ourselves and our shared human experiences.’ Through the transmission of stories, we can gain an appreciation and understanding of how society has universally dictated human actions and experiences and thus, may influence our own perceptions and actions within the framework of … Read more

How Power Rises and Falls in Miller’s ‘The Crucible’

 The desire to preserve and gain power pervades The Crucible as the witch trials lead to dramatic changes in which characters hold the greatest control over the course of events. Abigail’s power skyrockets as the hysteria grows more severe. Where before she was just an orphaned teenager, now, in the midst of the trials, … Read more

Link Between Mass Hysteria & The Orlando Nightclub Shooting &The Crucible

June 12, 2016 marked the day of the worst terrorist attack recorded, the Orlando Nightclub shooting. Many lives were lost, many victims were injured, and many loved ones were devastated. On the other hand, The Crucible was written portraying the Salem Witch Trials. The Crucible was written during the communist red scare in 1952. Mass … Read more

Hurricane Katrina: A Storm of Epic Proportions Compares to Arthur Miller’s The Crucible

 Hurricane Katrina came to be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. A category 5 hurricane lasting for 33 days, Katrina first made landfall on August 23, 2005, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With winds varying from 70-170 miles per hour. With very little warning, more than 1,800 lives were taken due to … Read more

The journey of marriage through "The Crucible": Love, Deceit & the Salem Witch Trials

 The Sacred Journey Of Marriage "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller is a story based on the study of the huge hysteria that led to the 1692 Salem witchcraft trials. The story is revolved around real events that happened in history that portray the way life was, in this particular era. In this play, Miller … Read more

Arthur Miller’s themes analysed

Arthur Miller is best known for his famous timeless plays. Some examples include “The Death of a Salesman” and “The Crucible”, which are his most famous plays. Miller was born in New York City in 1915, and had a successful family who own a clothing business. After the Great Depression in 1929, his family lost … Read more

“The Crucible” should NOT be performed

For many years, Burton Adventist Academy, the largest Seventh-day Adventist school in the Southwestern Union, has built a reputation for itself from its dynamic, original, and family-friendly drama productions. Every year, families across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex come and enjoy these productions. As Burton Academy decides on it’s next production to perform, Arthur Miller’s The … Read more

Arthur Miller’s Life & Impact on Colonial New England & Puritanism Unavailable

 Arthur Miller was an American playwright born in New York City on October 17, 1915. Miller’s talent, combined with the period of history he witnessed, gave him a unique perspective on the world. He was heavily influenced by the Great Depression because his father, a small-scale manufacturer, suffered from the financial upset. This exposed … Read more

John Procter is at fault for the Salem witch trails (argumentative essay)

John Procter is at fault for the Salem witch trails because he was guilty of sin of pride, adultery, and he cared more about his reputation over his integrity. In the play the crucible written by Arthur Miller, was about the Salem witch trails that took place in the Massachusetts bay colony. In the play … Read more

The Crucible Revisited: Arthur Miller & McCarthyism in Modern Day Society

Crucible repeated, AGAIN! Love, hate, religion, and reputation are all common themes in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. These themes play a large role in today’s society. Written in 1952 about Salem, Massachusetts in the year 1692, Miller uses the Salem witch trials as a clear indication that history repeats itself. America in the 1950s showed … Read more

Pilger’s ‘Breaking the Silence’/Demme’s ‘Philadelphia’/The Crucible

The essential purpose of any text is to teach one about the ontological (self) and sociological (world). Arthur Miller, in his 1953 play The Crucible, explores the political and social consequences of the argumentative ‘Cold War’ period in American history when the common fear of communism arose. John Pilger’s political documentary Breaking the Silence: Truth … Read more

Literary trends in Arthur Miller’s work

According to Christopher Caudwell, every artist has his or her own way of expressing their works. They tend to register a particular pattern in terms of the themes, styles, arguments and language use which seems prevalent in almost all of their works. Arthur Miller is among the prolific literature authors and playwrights in America with; … Read more

Writing essays on ‘The Crucible’

There are several key topics, themes, and points to consider when writing an essay on The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Here are some ideas:

The power of fear: One of the most prominent themes in The Crucible is the power of fear. The characters in the play are consumed by fear of witchcraft and the devil, which drives them to hysteria and causes them to make irrational decisions. You could explore how Miller uses fear to comment on the dangers of groupthink and the consequences of irrational behavior.

The role of reputation: Another important theme in The Crucible is the role of reputation. The characters are obsessed with maintaining their reputations and avoiding accusations of witchcraft, which leads them to make choices that are often in conflict with their values. You could analyze how Miller explores the theme of reputation and how it affects the characters’ decisions and relationships.

The danger of conformity: The Crucible also examines the dangers of conformity and the pressure to conform to social norms. The characters in the play are expected to conform to religious and cultural expectations, and those who do not are accused of witchcraft. You could discuss how Miller critiques conformity and its effects on individual freedom and identity.

The abuse of power: The characters in The Crucible wield power over others, often to devastating effect. You could explore how Miller critiques the abuse of power and the consequences it has for individuals and society as a whole.

The historical context: The Crucible is set in Salem, Massachusetts during the witch trials of the late 17th century. You could examine how Miller uses the historical context to comment on the political and cultural climate of his own time, including the anti-Communist hysteria of the McCarthy era.

These are just a few of the many topics, themes, and points that can be explored in an essay on The Crucible. Depending on your interests and focus, you may choose to delve into other aspects of the play, such as its characters, symbolism, or literary techniques. The key is to develop a clear thesis statement and use evidence from the text to support your argument.