Question Option 9 – Explain the significance of the play’s title to the drama as a whole.
The play “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller is a tragedy drama set in 1692 about a group of girls that go dancing in the forest and are caught by a local minister. One of the girls falls into a coma-like state which spreads rumours of witchcraft in the town, sending everything and everyone into chaos. But how does the title “The Crucible” refer or relate to the story of this play? Well, a crucible can be defined as a container capable of withstanding intense heat. It can also be seen as a severe test or trial, which is exactly what happens in the play. A number of characters finds themselves having …show more content…
Reputation plays a big role in Salem, with some people even willing to die to maintain it. A number of characters from the play take certain actions just to protect their respective reputations. Out of all the characters in the play, Reverend Parris seems to know the importance of reputation and having a good name better then everyone. Reverend Parris is portrayed by Miller as a selfish person that wants nothing more than to protect his own reputation, even while standing other his daughter’s deathbed. The only thing that he seems to be able to think about is how the events taking place will affect his reputation. Parris’ selfishness is best displayed of page 11 of Act 1, where he is questioning Abigail about the suspicious behaviour and actions he had caught her participating in the night before. She denies all rumours of witchcraft, but Parris is not convinced and says “Abigail, I have fought here for three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character. Your name in the town, it is entirely white, is it not?”. This shows that Parris is far more concerned about all the time and hard work he has put into creating a good, respected reputation for himself, rather than the outcome of his family and friends.
Another important theme used in “The Crucible” is hysteria, and the role