The Crucible as Allegory Encountering Conflict

What is an Allegory? Allegory: a story that is used to represent specific ideas or principles. Similar to an extended metaphor. The Crucible is written as an allegory to comment on what was happening in 1950s America under McCarthyism – it is not a direct representation, but shows many similarities. This means that The Crucible is allegorical. Another term is Analogy It is not an Allergy.

The Crucible and McCarthyism In writing The Crucible, Arthur Miller wanted to point out to the world the parallel between the unjust Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and fear of Communism that was at its height during the 1950s. He wanted to make a powerful statement about the dangers of hysteria that can result.

McCarthyism McCarthyism: is the term used to describe the approach that was taken in the 1950s to protect America from the threat of Communist infiltration. Communism: A system of government where the state owns and controls the economy through a central government. There is no private ownership and goods and property are shared. Anti-Communist feelings arose dramatically at the end of the 1940s and into the 1950s, after World War II, due to the growth of Communism from the USSR to Eastern Europe. The Atomic Bomb and development of nuclear weaponry also added to people’s fear of Communists.

The Rise of Anti-Communism The Communist influence was increasing in the US and both citizens and government wanted it addressed. In 1947 President Truman put the Truman Loyalty Oath into action, under public pressure, where government employees had to sign their loyalty to the government. Therefore, anyone who wanted to bring about change, such as advocates of Civil Rights, Women’s Rights etc, could be classified as communist!

HUAC - 1947 House of Unamerican Activities Commission Set up to investigate communist organisations in America. Specifically investigated Hollywood filmmakers suspected of promoting Communist ideas. Blacklisted approximately 300 writers, actors and producers.

Joseph McCarthy A U.S. Senator 1947 – 1957 Relatively obscure (unknown) until 1950 when he made his famous “Wheeling Speech” (in Wheeling, West Virginia) to the Republican Women’s club stating: “I have here in my hand a list of 205 — a list of names that were made known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who nevertheless are still working and shaping policy in the State Department.“

McCarthyism is born Though this speech was investigated and found to be unsubstantiated (unsupported), the public reaction was huge (as seen in the town of Salem with the talk of witchcraft) McCarthy became the public face of Anti-Communism, soon called “McCarthyism” (McCarthy is similar to Judge Danforth). He claimed there were many Communists, Soviet spies and sympathizers inside federal government departments He headed a committee that conducted hearings for accused Communists However, he had little evidence to back up his claims (as with the witches)

Whom did he accuse? No one was safe from accusation but certain people were targets: Over 300 actors, authors and directors known as the Hollywood blacklist (including Arthur Miller) – why? Certain politicians, state department, army, union leaders Civil Rights and women’s rights activists Artists, rock and roll bands, teenagers, the Girl Scouts and many more

What happened to them: People who refused to cooperate with questioning were blacklisted. Blacklisting meant that their professional reputation was ruined and no one would hire them in case they too were accused. Suspected communists were asked to confess and identify other “Red” sympathisers. Many people tried to save themselves through false confessions This created the idea that America was overrun with communists and increased the hysteria.

Propaganda McCarthy inspired a culture of fear, where people were encouraged to spy on and report their neighbours

Other Witch Hunts to consider McCarthyism came to be known as a witch hunt. This can be explained as a hysterical search for people who stand for ideas that are not mainstream, usually out of fear or moral panic, often without concrete evidence or fair trials.