Refer back to the definition of crucible on page 4 of the play, and explain the title of the play. Have you ever experienced being in a crucible?
1. a container made of a substance that can resist great heat, for melting, fusing, or calcining ores, metals, ect.
2. The hollow at the bottom of an ore furnace, where the molten metal collects.
3. A severe test or trial
I think that the book’s title is more obviously based on the definition “A severe test or trial”. That’s what the entire book is, its people putting each other on trial, word also comes from cross, or crucifix, so it’s a religious trial. I have been in a crucible many times, my time in the hospital was an extreme test for me, to see how long I could put up with it.