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Discuss the role that grudges and personal rivalries play in the witch trial hysteria.
How do the witch trials empower individuals who were previously powerless?
How does John Proctor's great dilemma change during the course of the play?
Compare the roles that Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams play in The
Crucible.
Why are Danforth, Hathorne, and the other authorities so resistant to believing the
claim that Abigail and the other girls are lying?
What kind of government does Salem have? What role does it play in the action?
Analyze Reverend Parris. What are his motivations in supporting the witch trials?
Discuss the changes that Reverend Hale undergoes in the course of the play.
Compare and contrast the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism.
Understand the living conditions in Massachusetts in the 1700s.
Examine the dynamics of Puritanism in 1692.
Gather historical perspectives of American Colonial period.
What is your perception of the girls' allegations in the play? Do they really
believe in witchcraft or are they fabricating the events?
Examine the historical facts regarding the Salem Witch Trials and Joseph
McCarthy's hearings. In what ways does Miller employ these facts in the service
of his drama? How do the two historical events compare to...
What social and religious factors are given to account for the harsh response to
witchcraft?
Compare and contrast the characters of Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor.
Discuss Miller's treatment of women in The Crucible.
Explain why the play is a tragic comedy.
Explain the symbolic characters and how they develop the themes.
Discuss how the themes of The Crucible make it both universal and enduring.
What is the function of Reverend Hale in the play?
Miller originally wrote The Crucible as a critique of McCarthyism, but he
distanced his narrative by using the Salem witch trials as the setting for the play.
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this approach.
At the end of the play, John Proctor recovers his sense of goodness by tearing up
the confession that would have saved his life. Given his character and the events
which have led up to this moment, do you find this act believable? Fully explain
your response.
In The Crucible, Miller suggests that sacrifices may be necessary to restore the
social order. Discuss the sacrifices made by the play's characters and whether you
think they are necessary.
How does the title relate to the story?
In The Crucible, Arthur Miller is making pointed comments about individuals and
how we should operate in society'. Discuss with reference to the text.
How are the characters tested and brought down to their essence?
What three characters are responsible for the trials and why?
How does the Crucible portray justice or injustice?
Compare the character of Elizabeth Proctor to that of Mary Warren. What value
systems does each represent?
Discuss Elizabeth's reaction to John's infidelity. Is she being unreasonable?
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How are the "little crazy children jangling the keys of the kingdom"?
What is Giles Corey's role in the play?
Examine Elizabeth Proctor as a symbol of truth. How has her husband "paid for"
this truthfulness?
What motivates Elizabeth to lie? Is a good name more important than the truth?
How is Mary Warren used by both sides? Does she have an individual identity?