Mrs. Angell
English 11
Name: ______________________
The Crucible – Essay Topics
1.
Discuss the role that grudges and personal rivalries play in the witch trial hysteria.
2.
How do the witch trials empower individuals who were previously powerless?
3.
How does John Proctor's great dilemma change during the course of the play?
4.
Compare the roles that Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams play in The Crucible.
5.
Why are Danforth, Hathorne, and the other authorities so resistant to believing the claim that
Abigail and the other girls are lying?
6.
Analyze Reverend Parris. What are his motivations in supporting the witch trials?
7.
Discuss the changes that Reverend Hale undergoes in the course of the play.
8.
What is your perception of the girls' allegations in the play? Do they really believe in witchcraft
or are they fabricating the events?
9.
Compare and contrast the characters of Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor.
10.
Discuss Miller's treatment of women in The Crucible.
11.
What is the function of Reverend Hale in the play?
12.
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.
13.
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.
14.
How are the characters tested and brought down to their essence?
15.
How does The Crucible portray justice or injustice?
16.
Compare the character of Elizabeth Proctor to that of Mary Warren. What value systems does
each represent?
17.
Discuss Elizabeth's reaction to John's infidelity. Is she being unreasonable?
18.
How are the "little crazy children jangling the keys of the kingdom"?
19.
What is Giles Corey's role in the play?
Mrs. Angell
English 11
Name: ______________________
20.
Examine Elizabeth Proctor as a symbol of truth. How has her husband "paid for" this
truthfulness?
21.
What motivates Elizabeth to lie? Is a good name more important than the truth?
22.
How is Mary Warren used by both sides? Does she have an individual identity?
23.
What is the role of gossip in the trials? How does Miller use gossip to implicate the whole town
in the events of the witch trials?
24.
Are the judges evil? Be sure to define what you mean by "evil" in your answer.
Sample claims:
#2 In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the witch trials empower individuals who were previously
powerless by allowing them to accuse others, striking fear into the community, and by
raising them above judgment.
#3 In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, John Proctor’s great dilemma changes during the course of
the play from respected to dishonored because of lust.
#19 In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Giles Corey’s role in the play encompasses frustration,
honesty, and justice.
#15 In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, injustice is portrayed through jealousy, greed, and
revenge.
Mrs. Angell
English 11
Name: ______________________
DUE DATE: _____________________
* Please include with delve-in and essay
THE CRUCIBLE ESSAY RUBRIC*
CATEGORIES
POINTS
1. Complete a delve-in for your essay topic.
50
1. Use the time given to work with your Reader
Response Group to revise your delve-in for
fluency.
2. Complete the essay
o Write an introduction that includes your
claim, which is found at the end of the
paragraph.
o Transition
o Use the idea for quote 1 to write a topic
sentence for body paragraph 1.
o Include quote 1 and analysis
o Include another quote and
analysis
o Transition
o Use the idea for quote 2 to write a topic
sentence for body paragraph 2
o Include quote 2 and analysis
o Include another quote and
analysis
o Transition
o Use the idea for quote 3 to write a topic
sentence for body paragraph 3
o Include quote 3 and analysis
o Include another quote and
analysis
o Transition
o Write a conclusion
o Add depth to your understanding
of what is important for the
reader to have learned by reading
your essay.
o Include your conclusionary
sentence; modify it if need be.
TOTAL
Comments:
50
20
20
20
20
20
200
SELFEVALUATION
TEACHEREVALUATION