Part one of term paper
A crucible is a severe test, as of patience or belief; a trial. Another definition of the word crucible is a place, time, or situation characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual, social, economic, or political forces. The title signifies the suffering and hardship that the town goes through. The town the story takes place in is ...

Part two of term paper
... Everything that happened in the book, all the events that led up to the execution of many innocent lives and led up to the breaking apart of the theocracy that the town was used to, contribute to make a difficult time or situation, which is a crucible. The title itself explains that the story is about a complicated time that will test the place the book is based on. The story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in the year 1692. It starts after a couple of girls have been caught dancing ...