CONSCIENCE & CONSEQUENCES

In a well-developed essay, analyze how one of the following themes is developed in Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, then use that theme to form a better understanding of a modern hysteria.

• When a community gives in to fear, hysteria is sure to follow.

• People will do terrible things in order to preserve their own reputations.

• An intolerant, black-and-white mindset can cause people to commit heinous acts.

• Being a good person means staying true to one's conscience, regardless of the consequences.

• In preparation for the assessment, students will be composing four fictional diary entries from the perspectives of characters in the story. These entries will enhance your comprehension of themes in the play.

• The thesis of your essay should identify a single theme you saw as you read and watched The Crucible. 

• Each body paragraph of the essay should discuss a piece of evidence from the play and how it conveys the theme, then discuss a piece of evidence about a modern example of hysteria and how the theme helps us better understand it. 

• Remember to use the Say/Mean/Matter strategy when talking about evidence. 

  • For evidence from The Crucible: What does that evidence mean? How does that evidence matter for the theme?

  • For evidence about a modern example: What does that evidence mean? How and why does the theme matter for that event?

• Your conclusion should summarize the main points of the essay, echo your thesis (theme), and explain why it is important for us to remember the lesson you have learned from the story.