Analyzing Themes and Devices in The Crucible for Modern Societal Reflections
Explore the enduring impact of the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism on contemporary society through an analysis of themes like paranoia, fear, and historical context in The Crucible. Delve into the causes behind the Salem witch hunt and consider the human capacity for evil reflected in historical events and modern parallels.
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On Tuesday, we will have our final assessment of The Crucible; the assignment is being introduced now so you have time to think about what you will write for Tuesday. As you answer your chosen prompt, keep in mind that you while you are giving your opinion, you are not an expert on your topic.
Choose one of the following prompts to write about. You must include at least three of the themes and devices that we have discussed as a class for The Crucible, such as setting, irony, characterization, symbolism, historical context, and religion to support your opinion. 1. To what extent do we still see the impact of the Salem Witch Trials, McCarthyism, paranoia, and fear in our own society? Point to specific examples from the text and class discussion. You should also write about specific examples in today s society. 2. Historically, what do you think caused the witch hunt in Salem? Consider whether the brutality of the witch hunt had supernatural or biological causes or whether it simply reflects the human capacity for evil.
witch hunt 1. a search for and subsequent persecution of a supposed witch (historical) 2. a campaign directed against a person or group holding unorthodox or unpopular views (informal) Witch hunts can refract, rebound and replicate indefinitely because we each contain within us the hunter, the witch, the rack and the pyre. And fear, like fire, catches. - New York Times Magazine, Annalisa Quinn https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/06/magazine/how-did-witch-hunt-become-the-complaint-of-the-powerful.html
Choose one of the following prompts to write about. You must include at least three of the themes and devices that we have discussed as a class for The Crucible, such as setting, irony, characterization, symbolism, historical context, and religion to support your opinion. 1. To what extent do we still see the impact of the Salem Witch Trials, McCarthyism, paranoia, and fear in our own society? Point to specific examples from the text and class discussion. You should also write about specific examples in today s society. 2. Historically, what do you think caused the witch hunt in Salem? Consider whether the brutality of the witch hunt had supernatural or biological causes or whether it simply reflects the human capacity for evil.
Discussion Questions Why does John refuse to confess? Why does Elizabeth not succeed in convincing him? Why did the filmmakers choose to end with John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey reciting the Lord s Prayer? What significance does this hold?
