Often the title of a piece of literature will have significant implications in terms of the theme of that book. In Arthur Millers The Crucible and Harper Lees To the title had significant implications on the books theme. By definition a crucible is a trying, or testing situation. When approaching the theme of The Crucible it is painfully obvious that Miller wanted the reader to see a parallel between the title and the theme. The theme being that when the screws are tightened in a testing situation people often do things that they would not normally be apt to do. Whether it be doing any thing to save them selves or sacrificing their lives for the sake of a good name.
Miller presents this theme throughout the book. Early on the rumor of witches spread through Salem like wild fire; the court began interrogations with Abigail. When Paris asked Abigail if she was “conjuring up sprits last night. Abigail replied “Not I, sir- Tituba and Ruth.” (Act 1 Pg.
16). When Tituba was asked about the devil or if she had talked to him she said that it was Sara Good and Goody Osburn (Act 1 Pg. 47). The pressure changed hands and moved on to the next person.
Like a hot potato being passed around no one wanted the pressure, they would just pass the buck to the next person. On the flip side this testing situation brought out the redeeming qualities in several characters. In John Procter’s case he found his name and the passing on of his name more important than life itself. Rather than leaving a marred name to his children John Procter climbed the scaffold. Indeed this crucible brought out a righteous quality in John Procter.
Another work in which the author chooses a title that deliberately conveys a message to the reader is To Kill a Mockingbird. The message conveyed is that to kill a mockingbird is an unforgivable crime. This is because mocking birds are innocent creatures are here for our benefit. Attic said “It is a sin to kill a mocking bird.” (Pg.
94). They exist for the express purpose of enriching our lives. We can see the relation in the work. An innocent black man Tom Walker, is accused of raping May ella Ewell. Tom is obviously innocent but the town people are rather daft ignorant lot.
To kill Tom would be an abomination towards society. This is because Tom is a loving innocent human being that is here, as all people are, to enrich the lives of others. He is a gift to society as all people are. Taking this gift the world would be a morbid and twisted resolution to May ellas rape.
Whether it is an obvious relationship as in The Crucible or a more subtle one a sin To Kill a Mockingbird. We can see that authors do in fact relate the titles of their works and the themes of their works.