Marks: Honors 10 English Michael Kelly
“Why I Wrote The Crucible”
Directions: Actively read, and answer (by typing in your answers) the in-text questions in bold, the following essay by Arthur Miller. When you are finished reading, type thoughtful answers (including concrete details) to the following discussion questions (one to two sentences each) in preparation for a class discussion:
1. What is Arthur Miller’s claim? How does he support it? His claim is that we, as citizens of the planet, need to take responsibility for our actions. We shouldn’t make them out of haste or fear, only through logic and processed thought. He wants this because when this type of decision-making doesn’t occur, disaster can strike. This message can be heard by everyone, since these disasters happen all of the time. He uses the phrase “darkly attractive” because this play is attractive to everyone in different ways, no matter where you reside. Everyone can take this message how they want, but more importantly, everyone should consider it and make sure power does not go to waste.
2. Why did Arthur Miller write The Crucible? Consider his motivations, personal experiences and historical setting in which it was written. He wrote the crucible not only to display the effects of an accusational event, like the Salem witch trials or the Holocaust, but to stop and prevent future happenings of the sort, such as the Red Scare. He wanted to touch the hearts of society by connecting our decisions with ones that cost 19 lives in 1692. The paranoia of the time period was one that we are all familiar with- not knowing. Not knowing something can drive us all to insanity and can certainly effect decisions of the court. However, if society ever reaches a time like 1692 in Salem ever again, Miller wanted to make sure we are well prepared.
3. Why do people continue to read, study and perform it? What makes The Crucible relevant from decade to decade?...