Theme: The Crucible, Act 1

Topic Sentence:
In Act 1 of  The Crucible, one theme that Arthur Miller supports is that lack of questioning often leads to misconceptions.

Chunk 1:
Miller introduces this theme page 26 when John Proctor attempts to question both Parris and Putnam on whether  they had "call[ed] a meeting" or not; they then proceed to avoid the question.

• Commentary:  By questioning the men, Proctor endeavors to backtrack the group as he reminds if they had followed the chain of command by "consult[ing] the wardens before you called this minister to look for devils" and "Did you call a meeting before you--?" then the Salem situation would not be even where it was at this point in act 1, which Rebecca Nurse, the voice of reason, further supports with she suggests that Reverend Hale be sent "back as soon as he come."  

Chunk 2

Later in Act 1 on page 40, Parris does question Tituba if she "called the devil" but fails to ask the right questions about the background and religious practices in Barbados.

• Commentary

Concluding Sentence
Thus, as these characters already suggesting that this horrific ordeal could have been avoided.