* To explore the psychology of mass hysteria. Miller was fascinated by the psychology of mass hysteria, and he believed that The Crucible could help illuminate how ordinary people can be swept up in a wave of irrational fear and violence.
* To tell a good story. Miller was a skilled storyteller, and he wanted to write a play that would be both entertaining and thought-provoking. The Crucible is a gripping drama that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, even though they know how it will end.