Related Text

Angelica

Does anyone have recommendations for related texts for the crucible? My teacher doesn't want us to use novels, The handmaid's tale would've been my first option, I am so indecisive but really need to get started. I would prefer a film or poetry.

Also, the assessment is a comparative essay about how the composer tell stories about the personal and shared nature of human experiences.

literallylauren

Hey Angelica!

Some non-novel suggestions below. I've tried to focus on ones that emphasise 'shared stories' as a theme, but let me know if there's a more specific theme you'd like to focus on.

Station Eleven [TV series] - this is a dystopian story about the aftermath of a pandemic and how different people respond to such a challenge (e.g. with hysteria, by coming together, by devoting themselves to a 'prophet,' etc.) so could lend itself well to talking about the experiences of being 'in a crucible' - a boiling hot melting pot where circumstances alter everyone inside of it! (However, check with your teacher about using a TV series; you might have to just pick a couple of episodes?)
Hidden Figures [movie] - based on the true story of black female mathematicians/physicists working for NASA during the 1960s space race. This could let you focus on themes of discrimination and the role of women in society, as well as contrasting how the society of Salem in The Crucible tear each other apart vs. how the team of mathematicians in Hidden Figures (eventually) work together to achieve a common goal.
Emily Dickinson's poems [poetry] - she has hundreds to choose from, so I'd recommend browsing her collection online if you're interested. Some standouts include Faith is a fine invention which is about the importance of evidence/proof and various others could be linked to particular characters in The Crucible (e.g. They shut me up in prose for Abigail, or To fight aloud is very brave for Proctor). Again, check with your teacher about potentially using multiple poems and whether you have to nominate a certain number of them.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poems [poetry] - another classic Victorian poet, wife of Robert Browning (and arguably the more famous of the two!) who had a very interesting life. She doesn't have as many poems as Dickinson to choose from, but hers tend to be longer so probably a better choice if you just want a single poem to use. I'd recommend A Man's Requirements if you want to compare things like gender roles, devotion, duty, and equality, or The Lady's Yes for themes like truth/deception, fickleness, loyalty, and commitment.

Of these, I think Elizabeth Barrett Browning would be the best pick, but it really depends what dimensions of the human experience you're most interested in.

Hope this helps! 🙂