The Crucible:
Themes
Mr. Feraco
American Lit
October 3rd, 2007
Things to Remember
When is the play taking place?
Where is the play taking place?
What group of people are we
observing?
Why is the play taking place in this
place, at this time?
More Things to Remember
What was Puritan life like at this
time?
Why was it like this?
What are some of the core beliefs of
Puritan ideology?
And…
What is The Crucible allegorically
describing?
Why did Miller write The Crucible?
Why did Miller choose to compare
these specific periods of time?
Themes List
Prejudice/Persecution/Panic
The Nature of Good and Evil
Justice
Fear of the Unknown
Trust
Themes List, Part II
Loss and Regret
Unforeseen Consequences (Physics)
Degeneration and Decay
The Nature of Power
Faith – and the Faithful
However…
There is one theme that plays a larger
role in The Crucible than any other.
This theme is not listed in our list of
ten themes and motifs.
It is deeply related to the reasons that
Miller wrote the play.
Do you know the theme?
Identity
Identity is the big issue at the heart of
The Crucible.
How do we see ourselves?
How do we define ourselves?
What do you do while defining someone
else? What’s most important to you when
you’re forming your opinion of someone?
More Identity Questions
Do your perceptions of others
influence the way you treat them?
Is your behavior towards a person
influenced by the treatment he/she
receives from others?
Do names, labels, etc. influence your
opinion of someone?