The Crucible is a timeless play that treats Salem witch hunts of 1692 as an analogy to McCarthy hearings of 1953. Beyond its historical interest, it emphasizes personal self-sacrifice for the good of humankind and the significance of honor in the face of betrayal. This unit not only focuses on the McCarthy hearings, but also deepens attention to the Puritan background. The Crucible bridges disciplines, connecting social studies and English in an unmistakable way. Throughout the study of the play, it is important to recognize instances of artistic license and the tampering of facts for the good of the story.

Students present dramatizations and role-plays. There are several opportunities for students to participate in small and large group discussions, writing activities, reading activities, and mapping and webbing. They conduct analysis of dialogue, plot, and characterization as well as explore structure, irony, allegory, symbolism, and themes.
Assessments include reading comprehension questions, an objective test with answer key, and essay topics.