Arthur Miller was struck by the incredible similarities between the hysteria in Salem in 1692 and the hostile life in American society after World War II. He decided to write a play that would explore 'the mystery' of the handling over of conscience,' which he viewed as 'the central and informing fact of the time.' In The Crucible, Miller uses the Salem witch trials to address this problem and to show why it is imperative that one not let his or her 'name' be used to hurt others. The following activities have been selected with national and state learning outcomes in mind, across the key learning areas of English, Drama and Media. Secondary teachers are encouraged to select and modify activities according to the needs of their students.