The Crucible Anticipation Guide

​The Crucible
Anticipation Guide

Unit 3: Redemption and Reform - Exploring Themes from The Crucible

Poll

Given the chance, most people will choose what is right over what is easy.

• Agree

• Disagree

Poll

Telling the truth is always the right thing to do, even if it has serious consequences.

• Agree

• Disagree

Poll

If someone is accused of a crime, it's their responsibility to prove they're innocent.

• Agree

• Disagree

Poll

Fear is a far greater motivator than hope.

• Agree

• Disagree

Poll

Remaining silent when you know the truth is a form of dishonesty.

• Agree

• Disagree

Poll

Your personal reputation is worth protecting at any cost.

• Agree

• Disagree

Poll

Your classmate, Billy, has been accused of cheating on a recent test. You know for a fact he didn't cheat because you sat next to him the entire time. However, your teacher seems convinced of his guilt, and several students have already agreed with the teacher's suspicion. Billy will receive a write-up for this. Speaking up would mean contradicting an authority figure and your peers.

What would you do?

• Immediately go to the teacher to defend Billy's innocence.

• Wait to see how the situation develops before getting involved.

• Privately tell Billy what you know but stay silent publicly.

• Say nothing to avoid conflict and protect your social standing.

Poll

You've been falsely accused of vandalizing the school bathroom. You face both suspension and legal action for damages. However, the school says they'll lighten the punishment if you simply confess. You'll receive an even lighter punishment if you list your accomplices. You have nothing to prove your innocence except your word. Even your parents are pressuring you to just take the school's deal to make the problem go away.

What would you do?

• Confess to the crime to avoid the harsher punishment and appease your parents.

• Refuse to confess and fight to prove your innocence, no matter how difficult.

• Confess to the crime and list your "accomplices" to receive the lightest punishment.

• Ask for a lawyer or a trusted adult to help you with the situation before making any decisions.

Poll

There is a rumor that the school will ban the use of bookbags for safety reasons. Your peers and their parents feel very strongly about this. Some claim the rule is needed and overdue while others complain and accuse the school of making nonsense rules. The fire of the issue is being fueled by speculation on social media. You personally have doubts about whether the panic is justified. However, expressing those doubts makes you seem like you don't care about safety or that you're defending a ridiculous rule.

What would you do?

• Publicly question the panic and ask for evidence.

• Privately express your doubts to close friends but go along with the majority in public.

• Stay silent at the risk of seeming like you don't care about the issue.

• Actively participate in the speculation to show you care about the issue.

Poll

You overhear several students plan to jump another student, Rachel, after school. You don't know Rachel or the situation that well, but the others sounded like they really wanted to hurt her. Speaking up could mean becoming a target yourself. Rachel might not even know you overheard this. Staying silent keeps you safe.

What would you do?

• Report what you heard to a trusted adult, even if it makes you a target.

• Tell Rachel about it so she can handle it herself.

• Say nothing at all to avoid getting involved and to protect yourself.

• Join the other students in their plan to hurt Rachel.