what is the significance behind the title??? and why did the author write it ?
2006-10-23 15:25:21 · 7 answers · asked by Lizzie_Oxford2010 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
The Crucible translated literally means "The Great Test". It signifies the test that the characters had to go through when judging people. The author wrote it because of McCarthyism. Although based on a true story, he wrote it in order to compare Joesph McCarthy's accusations of there being Communists in the US Government to the absurdity of the girl's accusations in the Salem witch trials.
Vote for the best response!
2006-10-23 15:34:08 · answer #1 · answered by IBHMC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A crucible is a vessel used to smelt metal ore for casting.
The play was an allegory of the Communist 'whitch hunts' of 50's America conducted by McCarthy where people were encouraged, as in the play set during the Salem witch trials of the 17th Century, to denounce friends and neighbours.
The name Crucible here symbolises a situation of intense heated emotions and motives swirling around.
2006-10-23 22:36:01 · answer #2 · answered by Stephen F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A crucible is a severe test/trial and it was significant because John Proctor was being tested. He was pressured to lie about being a witch to save his life but he told the truth. He didn't let all the pressure deter what he stood for.
He wrote it to show how unfair the Salem Witch Trials were. It was based on real events but NOT a true story.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crucible#Historical_Road_to_The_Crucible
2006-10-23 22:34:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The title symbolizes a situation of intense and heated emotions and motives swirling around.
The author wrote this book because at the time, the "witch hunts" of the 50s, or McCarthyism were happening. In the book, he compares Joseph McCarthy's accusations to the girl's fingerpointing.
2006-10-23 23:01:25 · answer #4 · answered by Lizzie 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Crucible is a severe trial or test, such as what the town went through.
2006-10-23 22:34:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read this a while i ago so i may be wrong...
but this was a true based story...
HE wrote to demonstrate that the puritans were suffering because of some girls that made up a story...
2006-10-23 22:28:01 · answer #6 · answered by Cutie77 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stephan likes to REPORT people!
2006-10-23 22:44:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋