Homework Task 5

The Crucible A severe searching, test or trial. (dictionary.com) A situation of severe trial, or in which different elements interact, leading to the creation of something new (oxforddictionary.com) How appropriate do you consider the title to be? Arthur Miller thought of the appropriate title of 'The Crucible' to reflect the trials and chaos unfolding in Salem in the time of the witch hunts. The word 'Crucible' refers to a situation of severe trial or the heating of metals in a pot to melt and purify them. The theme of the diversion of blame in Miller's play correctly represents the title and gives it meaning. The diversion of blame by Abigail, Marry Warren, Betty and many others majorly contributed to the situation of severe trials at the end of the play. Abigail's fight for authority and credibility ultimately results in the deaths of hundreds and imprisonment of even more, her actions of diverting the blame act a catalyst. Salem is very much related to the metaphor of heating metals in a pot as Salem is extremely heated with the havoc of the witch trials. It is efecting everyone and some are so heated they melt - they give up and crumble from their situations. The use of a crucible is to purify what is in it, the community in Salem was fighting to be purified but instead of being made pure by the execution of witches it was made pure by the stop to the idea that witches were the cause of the problems in Salem. The title is proven appropriate by the use of the theme of accusition and how the severity of the predicament continues to escalate resulting in numerous citezens melt under the pressure.