The Crucible by Arthur Miller?

Question

Can anyone tell me the significance of this novel like a motif or analysis and suggest any good parts I could illustrate for my summer reading project

Answer 1

It's about mob psychology, and what people are willing to lie and tell the truth for.

The scene where Tituba confesses might be good to highlight. It's a pivotal moment, and shows how easily the line between lie and truth is crossed when faced with consequences.

Answer 2

Arthur Miller wrote "The Crucible" during the Red Scare. Everyone accused each other of being communists because if they didn't, they'd get accused themselves. Lots of people in the entertainment industry were blacklisted like how Proctor was. Abigail is the equivalent of Senator Joseph McCarthy who accused people of being communists yet never had any proof.

I remember towards the end of the play, there were lots of good quotes so try to use those.  

Answer 3

i think the significance is like the mass hysteria and paranoia.

dont believe everything you hear type of thing

Answer 4

Unquestionable faith, without regard to what you read or see.  The folks in that town believed what they were told rather than what they read in their Bibles and what their hearts told them.  They followed like sheep.  It might be interesting to show how people now a days follow like sheep rather than research an issue themselves and then take action.  Most folks would rather just go along than stir up and trouble.

Answer 5

The paranoia- everyone's accusing everyone of talking to the devil.

And if you really want to show off, at the end of the play Proctor refuses to

sign a confession and pleads 'I will not put my name to this! Let me have my name!' In one of Miller's other plays, A View From The Bridge, Eddie meets tragedy because Marco refuses to 'let him have his name'.

This shows that a name is an identity, very important- basically by signing Proctor's name, he is giving away/ruining his identity