The Crucible, in Summary:
The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller and published in 1953, is a play set during the Salem witch trials. Many critics believe that this play was written with the intent to criticize the American anticommunist witch hunt of the 1950s, or the McCarthy era. The majority of accusations of communism were brought on by Senator Joseph McCarthy, and he proceeded to host unfair trials against those accused (many of whom were innocent). Arthur Miller's play symbolically portrays the events of this era. Overall, the play tells the story of John Proctor, a real victim of the Salem witch trials who was altered within the play to fit the author's purpose. In the story, John Proctor's wife, Elizabeth Proctor, is accused of committing witchcraft and is sentenced to hang unless she will confess. This accusation has been brought about by Abigail Williams, with whom John had an affair before the start of the play. Jealous of Elizabeth and rejected by John, Abigail selfishly had condemned Elizabeth and several others with false claims against them. To defend his wife and friends, John Proctor speaks the truth in the Salem court with great fervor. Ultimately, his case is denied by the one-sided court led by Deputy Governor Danforth. When John is asked to confess, he struggles with the issue and eventually decides to die with like others who are already hanged. This decision is glorified in the story as an honest act against a dishonest, unfair, and hysterical society. Such elements connect the message of The Crucible with the basic events of the McCarthy era. Both situations condemned the innocent with irrational accusations, emotionally reactive courts, and underlying corruption of the respective societies' leaders.
Page Links:
-The Salem Witch Trials: /the-salem-witch-trials.html
-The McCarthy Era: /the-mccarthy-era.html
-Arthur Miller, the Author: /arthur-miller.html
-The McCarthy Era: /the-mccarthy-era.html
-Arthur Miller, the Author: /arthur-miller.html
Sources:
Willhelm, Jeffrey D, et al. Literature: South Carolina Treasures: American Literature. Columbus, Ohio: McGraw-
Hill Companies, 2010. Print
Latham, Amanda, Oh, Joyce. “Senator Joseph McCarthy, McCarthyism, and the Witch Hunt.” Cold War Museum.
n.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.
Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York: The Viking Press, 1953. Print.
Hill Companies, 2010. Print
Latham, Amanda, Oh, Joyce. “Senator Joseph McCarthy, McCarthyism, and the Witch Hunt.” Cold War Museum.
n.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.
Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York: The Viking Press, 1953. Print.
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