Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the play, and support their choices with details from the text. For best practices, see our article with specific lesson plan steps on setting up your classroom and activities for themes, symbols, and motifs.
The Crucible Themes to Look For and Discuss
Fear / Paranoia / Hysteria
Fear and suspicion can cause normal and peaceful people, neighbors and friends, to turn on one another. Throughout the play, it is fear that drives the lies and deceit and ultimately cause the downfall of many.
Witch-Hunting / Intolerance / Prejudice
When people make judgments, it is often irreversible. This is why prejudices are so lethal. In the play, each condemned person is only offered their freedom after they sell someone else out. For some, this is easy and for others, they know that what they are doing is wrong. Those who are different become easy targets. Naming people becomes an effective way to get revenge. Many people were seen giving false testimony about their neighbor, just to inherit their neighbors' land once they were hanged.
A Person's Reputation
Throughout the play, each person's reputation in town is mentioned. On several occasions, the people act a certain way solely to keep the up appearances. For example, Parris often is worried that Abigail will tarnish his reputation and with the antics in the woods, he begins to fear for his job. He attempts to protect his reputation by choosing to believe that Abigail has seen people consorting with the Devil. By helping to point the finger, no one is pointing it at him. Parris's reputation is exactly the opposite of John Proctor's. Proctor's reputation in town is fair. However, he is willing to tarnish it by exposing his adultery to ultimately save all in town who are accused. In the end, he refuses to confess to witchcraft; he asks Judge Danforth to take his soul, but leave his name. Rebecca Nurse's reputation as a good Christian make some question the validity of the accusations when she is named.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in The Crucible. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the theme(s) from The Crucible you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for the example(s) that represents this theme.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Theme(s), Symbol(s), and/or Motif(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. Symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. Motifs are correctly identified as important recurring features or ideas in the story. | Most themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. Some motifs are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. | Most themes are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most motifs are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No themes, symbols, or motifs are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motifs that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s), and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance to the story. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are accurate to the story and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are mostly accurate to the story. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are inaccurate to the story. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the story. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the story and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the story. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
How To Analyze the Development of Themes in The Crucible
Read the Story Thoroughly
Ask the students to read The Crucible multiple times to understand the plot. The story/ play should be read once in the class with the help of the teacher and once at home as an independent study. Encourage the students to highlight any confusing points or points they think require a detailed explanation for discussion later.
Identify and Discuss Themes
After reading the story thoroughly, students will be able to identify the central ideas discussed in the story. These themes are not always visible but are the driving force behind any conflict in the story. Help the students recognize this driving force and ask them to list down whatever comes to their minds.
Assess Character Growth
Compare the character traits and motivations at the beginning of the story and at the end of the story. Guide the students to discuss what sort of changes have occurred and what part the themes played in this change. Assess how certain things were perceived before and after the climax by the main characters.
Find Significant Events
Find key passages in the play when the themes are very evident or alter significantly. The students can comprehend the development of the ideas by understanding these turning points. These twists and turns in the story are somewhat unexpected and always take the readers by surprise.
Follow the Development of Themes
Ask the students to observe how each topic changes from the play's beginning to its conclusion. Note any changes in the degree of difficulty, significance, or severity. Students can also create a theme chart that visually depicts the development of themes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Analyzing Themes The Crucible
What are the most significant themes present in the story?
Hysteria and widespread terror, reputation and morality, authority and control, guilt and innocence, prejudice, and the tension between personal convictions and community norms are all common themes in "The Crucible." These themes are the backbone of the story and are responsible for all the significant events taking place in the story.
What function does integrity serve in the development of the narrative?
Integrity is a major subject, especially in relation to John Proctor's persona. The play's examination of morality revolves around his battle to uphold his moral standards in the face of cultural pressure. In contrast, Reverend Parris is the one who is the most concerned about his reputation and would do anything to save his face and his job even if it means pointing fingers at other people which creates a difficult situation for many people in the town.
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Crucible, The
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