by Lisa M. Hase

Created on: July 28, 2008

"The Crucible" by Arthur Miller was written during the early Red Scare stages of the McCarthy era. In the long tradition of ritual storytelling, this play is Miller's response to the current social climate affecting him. It is an explanation of current atrocities as drawn from the events of the past. American history and literature are particularly rich with examples of the demonization of whole populations of people through projections of evil onto their characteristics, which has proven successful in the pursuit of resources and wealth. The Salem Witch trials of the 17th century are an integral part of History and thus woven into American myth, the power of which has long been recognized to overshadow factual history. It is no surprise then that historical facts are not strictly adhered in this production. Miller adheres instead to the spirit of the event and seeks to emotionally edify his audience rather that to educate them factually. In addition, the Salem witch trials provide a rich source of analogy of demonization in context of ideology and must have posed a simply irresistible temptation to Miller.

Many pointed observations evidencing Millers correlation between the two events can be found in the overture of Act One.

"They believed in short, that they held in their steady hands the candle that would light the world. We (modern peoples) have inherited this belief, and it has helped and hurt us."

This comment clearly refers to our direct relation, whether or not blood related, with our predecessors who were involved in the witch trials of old, and makes direct observation of our inability to learn from past absurdities. Further these lines hint at the duality often present in strict adherence to any belief system. Neither pure good nor pure evil exist in anything, only a combination. Maintaining awareness of this fact is advisable.

Comparison of these two distinct eras can also be gleaned from the lines "The times, to their eyes, must have been out of joint, and to the common folk must have seemed as insoluble and complicated as do ours today." and acts as an accurate commentary on the Communist witch-hunt in our current century as that of 17th century Salem. As if to further pull his audience into the present, Miller continues in the overture with, "The witch-hunt was a perverse manifestation of the panic which set in among all classes when the balance began to turn toward greater individual freedom." When one rises above the individual villainy displayed,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>