The Crucible By Arthur Miller

An allegory for McCarthyism What is an allegory? Like a symbol, an allegory is where something concrete represents something abstract. Unlike regular symbolism, an allegory must be a complete narrative. In The Crucible, accusing townspeople of being witches and trying them in cases that are impossible to win represents how Joseph McCarthy accused artists and and entertainers of being communists and tried them in cases that were impossible to win. Just like in The Crucible, McCarthyism relied on fear, hysteria, accusations, and hearsay. This led to people lying about the guilt of others to get out of their own punishment.

Background First performed on Broadway in 1953. Historical Fiction: Set in the Massachusetts Bay Colony around 1692, but written in the 20th century. Fictionalized true events – of what? The Salem Witch Trials Puritanism – extreme Protestants who wanted to get rid of Catholic influence, hence all the arguments about candles in the play. It depicts a catch-22 scenario in which those accused of being witches must either admit to being a witch and repent, or they will be hung. Here’s the problem: Puritans believe that lying like this is a sin that would cause them to go to Hell. The Choice: Lie and be saved from death OR tell the truth and die.

What is a Crucible?

Elements of a Script Dialogue: conversation between two or more persons. Monologue: a part of a drama in which a single actor speaks alone Soliloquy: the act of talking while or as if alone. (often used as a device in drama to disclose a character's innermost thoughts) Aside: An aside is a dramatic device in which a character speaks to the audience. Stage Directions: an instruction in the text of a play, especially one indicating the movement, position, or tone of an actor, or the sound effects and lighting. Exposition: the portion of a story that introduces important background information to the audience