Theme

What is theme?

Let's watch this Nearpod video to get a quick review of theme.

Let's explore the themes present in the play, The Crucible.

A condition in which community-wide fear overwhelms logic and individual thought and ends up justifying its own existence.

(in other words: the community is full of fear, is unable to think clearly, and their actions cause the fear to intensify.

There have been many instances of mass hysteria throughout history.

In an effort to explain what is happening, people start to believe the fear must be legitimate.
This hysteria overrides logic and allows people to believe things that they never would believe otherwise.
Think toilet paper shortage of 2020
- The pandemic caused a hysteria, because it was so unknown and no one knew what to expect.
- When some people said that we'd run out of toilet paper, everyone started hoarding it for fear of running out. It was something they could control.

Reputation-The way that other people perceive you.

Integrity: The way that you perceive yourself.

Which is more important? Protecting your reputation or protecting your integrity?

In some society's, such as the Puritans, your reputation is critical.
- A bad reputation can result in social or physical punishment.
Association with those with a bad reputation can automatically give you a bad reputation.
Many times people act in a way that will keep their reputation in tact, whether its because of fear or revenge, they do not want the negative impact of worse reputation.
Integrity can be shown by acknowledging mistakes and standing up for what they believe in.
When people are more concerned with keeping up their reputation than by doing the right thing, there can be extreme consequences.

A rigid set of beliefs that defines what an individual or community thinks.

Based on both how one thinks the world is currently working, but also on how one thinks the world *should* be working.

In a small Puritan community, where the government is run by the church, expressing a different ideology can lead to rigid consequences.
When the government runs with such strict ideologies, it can be easier to fall victim to corruption or tyranny.
- If you have an extremely narrow view of what is acceptable, and who is acceptable, it can be easier to have a small few who can make any decisions.

Individuality is the quality or character that separates someone from the crowd.

In a Puritan society, there are very strict guidelines that all members must follow.
- This limits the individuality that members can have.
Those who act independently can be seen as a threat and attempts will be made to eliminate them.
This also eliminates ways for people to deal with their personal grievances.
- Over time, this built up resentments can lead to explosions.

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