The Crucible, Essay Topic

Arthur Miller's play The Crucible is an allegory set in the theocratic Puritan settlement of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. The author uses actual historic events as a backdrop for his condemnation of the paranoia and hysteria over the threat of Communism that consumed the United States during the Cold War. The town of Salem was consumed by its own fear of witchcraft, which led to 150 people arrested and imprisoned, 29 people convicted of the capital felony of witchcraft, and 19 executed by hanging. Five more people died in prison while they awaited trial. Although the play has been slightly altered for literary and symbolic purposes, we can use the characters, their actions and motives, and the themes of the play to gain a better understanding of the history, and we can apply this knowledge to understand our modern world and contemporary issues. Choose one of the following three topics to write an essay:
I. Discuss three instances in which a character's concern for Reputation affects the action and events of the play.
II. Discuss three characters who use the hysteria of the witch hunt to express or release repressed feelings of anger, lust, guilt, jealousy, or frustration.
III. Play the part of Devil's advocate and defend three of the following characters: Abigail, Tom, Ann, Parris, Mary, Danforth, and John (regarding his affair and sin). Provide extenuating circumstances that may soften the readers' judgment of them.
This is a five-paragraph essay, size 11 font, 4-5 pages. You must provide at least 2 quotations for each body paragraph. The introduction of the essay is very important. You must demonstrate a solid understanding of Puritanism in order to establish yourself as someone who is qualified to write about the subject.