Thematic Questions For The Crucible2
Thematic Questions
1. What is a crucible and how is it used? Justify Miller’s choice of title for his play.
A crucible is a ceramic container that can withstand very high temperature and is used for metal, glass and pigment production as well as a number of modern laboratory processes. Miller’s choice of the title “The Crucible” is due to the same reason as the courtroom being referred to as a crucible: using the heat of questioning and scrutiny, they burned away all the impurities, i.e. lies and half-truths, to get the purified product the “truth”.
2. How do Hale’s preconceptions influence his interpretation of events? How does his interpretation change? What are the implications of his conversion?
Hale’s preconceptions has influenced his interpretation of events in that he initially thought that he had the authority over the town due to his extensive knowledge of witchcraft. He expected to find witches, however his interpretation changes throughout the play as he realises that innocent townspeople are being falsely accused, such as John Proctor. The implications of his conversion are when he encourages the accused to confess, i.e. the good people to lie, even though he believes that he is doing the “Devil’s work”.
3. Proctor calls Hale “Pontius Pilate.” Explain the allusion. Do you agree or disagree?
The allusion is that Pontius Pilate was the ruler in Bethlehem who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at the order of the Jewish leadership, despite the fact that he knew Jesus was innocent and did not deserve to be killed in such a way. Considering the parallel, Elizabeth as Jesus and Hale as Pontius Pilate, the comparison is appropriate. Both Elizabeth and Jesus are innocent; and their accusers are assumed to be innocent from the beginning. Hale and Pilate have some authority, some say in their respective matters, and yet they both (although reluctantly) turn their accused citizen over to the local authorities. Just as Pilate found no real guilt in Jesus,
1. What is a crucible and how is it used? Justify Miller’s choice of title for his play.
A crucible is a ceramic container that can withstand very high temperature and is used for metal, glass and pigment production as well as a number of modern laboratory processes. Miller’s choice of the title “The Crucible” is due to the same reason as the courtroom being referred to as a crucible: using the heat of questioning and scrutiny, they burned away all the impurities, i.e. lies and half-truths, to get the purified product the “truth”.
2. How do Hale’s preconceptions influence his interpretation of events? How does his interpretation change? What are the implications of his conversion?
Hale’s preconceptions has influenced his interpretation of events in that he initially thought that he had the authority over the town due to his extensive knowledge of witchcraft. He expected to find witches, however his interpretation changes throughout the play as he realises that innocent townspeople are being falsely accused, such as John Proctor. The implications of his conversion are when he encourages the accused to confess, i.e. the good people to lie, even though he believes that he is doing the “Devil’s work”.
3. Proctor calls Hale “Pontius Pilate.” Explain the allusion. Do you agree or disagree?
The allusion is that Pontius Pilate was the ruler in Bethlehem who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at the order of the Jewish leadership, despite the fact that he knew Jesus was innocent and did not deserve to be killed in such a way. Considering the parallel, Elizabeth as Jesus and Hale as Pontius Pilate, the comparison is appropriate. Both Elizabeth and Jesus are innocent; and their accusers are assumed to be innocent from the beginning. Hale and Pilate have some authority, some say in their respective matters, and yet they both (although reluctantly) turn their accused citizen over to the local authorities. Just as Pilate found no real guilt in Jesus,