The Crucible –
“Candle Essay”
Analyzing symbol and theme in
Arthur Miller’s play.
The Quote

“They believed, in short that they held in
their steady hands the candle that would
light the world. We have inherited this
belief, and it has helped and hurt us”
(Miller 1236).
The Prompt

In a one page essay, respond to the
quote. Explain what “we” (the modern
American audience and world) have
inherited, using examples from the past
and the present.
What are the parts of the candle
symbol?



The “Steady Hand” holding the candle.
The “Candle” itself (with the flame and its
capacity to light or burn).
The dark room or world that is implied in
the quote.
What does the candle image
(including the symbol of the candle)
represent?

The “Steady Hand” :





Confidence?
Courage?
Arrogance?
Inflexibility?
Something else?
The candle image (con’t)

The “Candle”:





Truth and justice?
Faith?
Judgmental behavior?
Scrutiny or persecution?
Something else?
The candle image (con’t)

The dark room or world:





Ignorance?
Superstition and fear?
Perceptions of the state of the world that is
“not us”?
The unknown?
Something else?
The Essay
• Choose one character from the play that best
•
•
•
represents the symbol of the candle in the dark
room (good or bad).
Focus on either the negative implications of the
symbol or the positive ones. Not both for this
essay.
Create a brief outline of your ideas for the one
page essay before you write it.
The essay falls into the “80% of your grade”
category…
Outline Suggestions
• Paragraph One:
– Attention Getter (quote, rhetorical question etc.)
– Background for reader understanding (Meaning of symbol,
title of play, author, time frame, context, etc.)
– Thesis Statement Example:
• “The Puritans presented in Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible,
thought that they were similar to a candle in a dark room
because [Insert your idea] and [this idea] still exists in
American society today.”
• NOTE: Do not just copy the thesis statement above if you
want full credit. Phrase it in your own words and with your
own ideas!
Outline Suggestions
• Paragraph Two:
– Discuss a character from the play that exemplifies the image of
the candle in a TWO CHUNK PARAGRAPH (minimum).
– “Positive” aspects of the candle symbol:
Rebecca Nurse represents some positive aspects of the candle
symbol as does John Proctor, Rev. Hale, Giles Corey and others.
(LIGHTING the world)
– “Negative” aspects of the candle symbol:
Dep. Gov. Danforth represents some negative aspects of the
candle symbol as does Abigail Williams, Rev. Parris, Thomas
Putnam and Rev. Hale. (BURNING the world)
Outline Suggestions
• Paragraph Three
– Tie your representative character and the symbol of
the candle into a theme that is present in the modern
world, particularly the U.S.
– Explain how the Puritan beliefs that they are a
“candle in a steady hand” have either hurt or helped
the modern world, particularly the U.S.
– Explain what the modern world (through modern
Americans) has “inherited” from the beliefs or
viewpoints of the Puritans.
“Symbol and
Theme” Essay
Due Dates:
• Outline is due no later than next
Friday.
• Final Essay to be completed in class
the following Monday / Tuesday! It
will require a rough (Monday) and
final draft (Tuesday). You will be able
to use your outline as a resource.
(one page – DETAILED!)