Other similarities between The Crucible and McCarthyism are not only forced accusations but also false confessions. In The Crucible many people were forced to accuse others, if they didnt cooperate they would be arrested for contempt of court or they would be hanged. The motto on the Crucible was accused or be accused. 45) This quote shows how Abigail took advantage of the position she was placed in and used hysteria to fuel suspicions. Latest answer posted November 22, 2020 at 12:05:25 PM, In The Crucible, explain what Elizabeth means when she says, "He have his goodness now, God forbid I take it from him.". By comparing McCarthyism to the, While Corey broke conformity to do what was right, Betty did quite the opposite. In his play The Crucible, he uses allegory to demonstrate the dangerous messages that he wanted to implement into the reader. He mainly criticizes the government. This social injustice is also portrayed in The Crucible as its characters face the Salem Witch Trials. For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as Latest answer posted April 01, 2021 at 3:01:06 PM. Citizens lost respect and trust in the government and other civilians, due to several threats within the country and worldwide. There are two ways that stick out to me that The Crucible is an allegory for McCarthyism. In. It being a metaphor to the McCarthy trials can be seen through how both trials happened due to fear. How may I live without my name? I have no tongue for itI have three children, how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?Because it is my name! Much of the undoing of McCarthyism came at the hands of the Supreme Court. Arthur Miller experienced many hardships through the 1950s where he was accused by the HUAC and McCarthy to be a communist sympathizer. In addition, reputation is another aspect that troubles human nature. People who were revealed communists suffered greatly (Bly 2-5). This is parallel to the Red Scare because people went to great lengths to prove their innocence of McCarthyism. The Crucible Study Guide 2022-10-26. In the early 1950s, Senator Joseph R. McCarthy from Wisconsin began leading the crusade to find any and all communists in America. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (Proctor, Act 4, pg 130-133). Arthur Miller develops an allegory in The Crucible by comparing the Salem Witch Trials to McCarthyism by using ringleaders, persecuted couples, and hypocrisy in the government or legal system., There are still difficulties found when interpreting The Crucible as a strict allegorical representation of the 1950s McCarthyism. In 1949, China became a communist country led by Mao Zedong, and the U.S. became involved in the Korean War in 1950. WebThe Crucible tells a story about a little town in Massachusetts called Salem where false accusations and unjustifiable trials are happening, just like what was happening in the After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union became embroiled in the Cold War. Miller wrote his drama during the brief reign of the American senator Joseph McCarthy whose bitter criticized anti- communism sparkled the need for the United States to be a dramatic anti- communist society during the early tense years of the cold war. The Red Scare caused people to suspect their neighbors and friends and report them as communist sympathizers. Create your account. "What is The Crucible by Arthur Miller an allegory for?" Miller wrote The Crucible as replication of his feelings during the period of McCarthyism in the 1950s. WebThe Crucible is an historical allegory for the McCarthy period; it can be examined more fruitfully as a play about the human condition. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. After Abigail and John had an affair, she was dismissed from the household, and Abigail and her friend, Ann Putnam, began showing signs of being afflicted by witchcraft and accusing people of practicing witchcraft. In an effort to find the communist spies who had infiltrated various U.S. institutions, including the government, Senator Joseph McCarthy began a campaign to weed out communists and their sympathizers in the U.S. The play is based on the fear, suspicion, hysteria and paranoia which the people of Salem felt during the witch hunts. The overarching themes of the McCarthy era, like the ones of The Crucible, are the continuing fear of distrust of neighbors, friends, and even the foundations of the respective, Many people today have read Arthur Millers great play The Crucible and believe that the real witch trials were portrayed in the play but many of the facts are not particularly wrong but might be twisted. In salem 1692 multiple girls were out in the woods dancing and were thought to be possessed and working with the devil. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is allegorical. This push to monitor people accused of communism came to be known as McCarthyism. Arthur Millers novel, the Crucible is a fictional play that centers around the Salem Witch Trials. Characters like John Proctor, Abigail William and Hathorne represent Arthur Miller, Joseph McCarthy, and J.Edgar Hoover. There were many differences and similarities between these two topics. This also occurred during 1692 and 1693, the years of the witch trials. Much of my desperation branched out, I suppose, from a typical Depression-era traumathe blow struck on the mind by the rise of European Fascism and the brutal anti-Semitism it had brought to power. (Miller). Arthur Miller articulates how the three themes of injustice, hysteria, and reputation are problematic factors for human nature. Whether its be the treatment of a person or being put in a biased situation, injustice causes people to not be regarded in a respectful, equal manner. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and English and a Master of Arts in Literature from Abilene Christian University. Furthermore, the power that is lead to one's head could destroy the thoughts of other about yourself as an individual. After The Crucible was published, Arthur Miller himself was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee and was asked about his activities writing for the American Communist Party. This expresses how much a good reputation is for this time as one mistake that may not even be true can soil (Reverend Parris Act1 P.20). The demand to name other collaborators is a direct reference to the Red Scare and McCarthyism. What is a quote said by John Proctor in Act 3 in which he reveals his sin of adultery? In Arthur Miller's classic play, The Crucible, the character Abigail Williams fills the role of the villain. Hi! Arthur Miller wrote this play to symbolize 1950s McCarthyism. However, Miller made a few alterations to the historical members of the Salem society in order to suit his dramatic purpose in The Crucible, particularly Abigail Williams, John Proctor, and Reverend Samuel Parris. This began the McCarthy Era, where government workers, artists/actors, and innocent people were accused. In this way, The Crucible stands as an allegory for McCarthy 's communist hunt, during which many people were also killed and imprisoned due to accusations of communism. However, in the end of the play, the audience should feel pensive about, The Crucible, a phenomenon play, written by Arthur Miller is an allegory to the McCarthy Trials of the 1950s. A Major Role in the Crucible John Proctor, John Proctors Pride in the Play the Crucible, The Crucible as an Allegory to McCarthyism, The Crucible as an Allegory of the Witch Trial, Differences between the Crucible Movie and the Play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller: how Abigail Williams Abused her Power, One of the Main Characters in the Play The Crucible. Hollywood director Elia Kazan went in front of the HUAC twice. Abigail has a growing jealousy and rage toward John's wife Elizabeth. Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/how-is-the-crucible-an-allegory-for-mccarthyism/. He highlights how these particular themes are problematic for human nature. I think that imagery can be a huge factor in the way things may be viewed, and in the way feelings may be expressed. Justice in the court was perverted by fear and delusion (Johnson 9). Specifically, Miller drew a connection between the unsubstantiated accusations of communist sympathizers under McCarthyism and the accusations thrown around during the Salem witch trials. McCarthyism was used to a accuse communist during The Red Scare. Evidence suggests that Miller contributed articles to American Communist Party publications and some of his political beliefs were evident in his plays. A brief intro to The Crucible by Arthur Miller. McCarthyism, as Miller himself said, is the backdrop for the play, but is not its theme. Another example written in his work is when Proctor was accused of witchcraft when he told the truth. Miller explained in his hearing that he could speak about his own actions but claimed that naming other people invalidated his First Amendment rights. WebArthur Millers The Crucible The Crucible is an allegory of McCarthyism when people accused of communism were arrested and incarcerated in the United States during the Includes allegory, mccarthyism, biographical info and character lists. This began the McCarthy Era, and this practice was later known as McCarthyism. An allegory refers to the story that possesses an obvious meaning but with other hidden connotations. Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! WebThe Crucible As An Allegory Analysis. The period in which this anti-communist hysteria occurred was known as the Red Scare. The Crucible is an allegory for McCarthyism, a period of time where officials were being accused of being a part of the communist party. They are both human tragedies that are driven by human fear., In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller creates a tragic story of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692 which parallel McCarthyism during the 1950s. These trials were during a period of time where men and women were very rancorous so others feared to speak up because they would be accused of witchcraft and killed. (2021, Apr 13). Although both situations include different causes, their effects are strikingly similar. One example of Abigail's villainy is the scene where her cousin, Betty Parris yells about Abigail having drank blood in the forest. The Salem Witch Trials and the 1950s Red Scare are easily relatable considering that the two events killed several innocent lives, when that individual did nothing wrong. The children were often accused if you were related to the person being accused then you were tried as a witch. The play was similar to real life events that occurred when McCarthy and the HUAC accused Americans as communists. The Crucible is an allegory to the Red Scare and the McCarthy era drastically by its plot, characters, and the flow and outcome of the court trials. The hysteria induced by the thought that witches were in Salem spread throughout the community like a disease. In McCarthyism, it was the same thing, except for with communism. On its surface, The Crucible is a play about the Salem witch trials of 1692. succeed. Copyright 2022 IPL.org All rights reserved. The hysterical rantings and ravings of McCarthy and his supporters, lost support when people got tired of the national upheaval, the black listing and investigations. Miller wrote The Crucible as a symbolized declaration of his feelings during the period of McCarthyism. Many people were targets of McCarthy's "witch hunt," as it was called, especially those involved with film in Hollywood, music in general, other members of the other arts including writers, etc., as well as government workers, union organizers, and even teachers. Abigail and a number of the other girls in town are seen common dancing as the girls claim, when they were actually casting spells and love potions. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. This essay was written by a fellow student. This all happened during the Salem Witch Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the conviction. Reputation is the opinion applied to oneself through deeds and acts, the way oneself is, and the way people speak upon one. In the play, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, Miller uses allegory to express what he endured through in the 1950s. In 1953, when Miller published The Crucible, it was clear that he was condemning McCarthy and his communist witch hunts. WebIn this way, The Crucible stands as an allegory for McCarthy 's communist hunt, during which many people were also killed and imprisoned due to accusations of communism. For example, the use of pace throughout the, The Crucible was about the Salem Witch Trials which took place in 1692-1693 and the Red Scare happened in the late 1940s and early 1950s. At the beginning of the play, experts of witchcraft and holiness are brought into question the cause of the girls in the state of comas. Both The Crucible and the McCarthy trials have many parallels. In an allegory the character,events, and instances (Definition of Allegory R104). why is the crucible an appropriate title for the play. Hysteria in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Theme, Quotes & Examples, Figurative Language in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Quotes, Types & Impact, Irony in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Overview & Examples, Saadat Hasan Manto | Writing Style, Biography & Works, AP U.S. History Exam | Short-Answer Questions, Prompts & Samples, T.S. An allegory is defined as a story, poem, character in a story, or picture with a hidden connotation. For example, he secretly compares Abigail and Senator McCarthy together, McCarthy took advantage of the Red Scare to make people believe that people were communists and how Abigail took advantage of the beliefs of witchcraft to accuse people during the Salem Witch Trials. The Salem Witch Trials was a witch hunt in Salem, they hung anybody who they thought were witches. When he wrote The Crucible, it served as an allegory, simultaneously retelling the story of the Salem witch trials and also presenting social commentary on McCarthyism and the Red Scare. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is an allegory for the Red Scare in the McCarthy Era because, The Crucible and McCarthyism Those people who were accused of witchcraft or communism were promised that they would be treated mercifully if they revealed others who were guilty. WebThe Crucible: A Witch-Hunt Cautionary Tale. Review the genre, learn about theRed Scare, and analyze Arthur Miller's play as a political allegory for McCarthyism. Here is why I think The Crucible is an allegory for the Red Scare. Copyright 2022 IPL.org All rights reserved. Examine The Crucible as an allegory. It is an allegory since it represents the human ideas about there being seven deadly sins and how in politics, people choose the good for one over the good for the group. Similarly, throughout 1950-1954, Joseph McCarthy falsely accused people within the United States Government of being a member of the Communist party. This act, written by Senator Pat McCarren, one of McCarthy's supporters, required that any organization that was determined to be communist had to register with the Justice Department, made it a felony to try and establish a dictatorship in the United States, and gave the government the ability to arrest anyone whom the president believed to be a spy or a saboteur. In addition. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. flashcard sets. Events like the people who were hung, and people were accused for being witches were similar to blacklisted and they, The 1950s was an eventful time in America with the Red Scare and Senator Joseph McCarthy. In the 1940s to the 1950s, America was extremely concerned about the rise of Communism throughout Europe and China. Power is defined as The ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially as as a faculty or quality. Throughout history, women have significantly lacked not only power but the ability to be recognized as equal to their male counterparts. The play's author, Arthur Miller, was himself a victim of By definition, an allegory is a something that has a hidden or symbolic meaning. You are now seven month out of their house, and in all this time no other family has ever called for your service. (Reverend Parris Act1 P.20) The conflict between her and Elizabeth destroyed her reputation as a house maid. He shows through a story that the witch trials were much more than just people calling others witches. Arthur Miller wrote this play to symbolize 1950s McCarthyism. The similarities were greed and self-preservation. Playwright Arthur Miller, in researching the Salem witch trials, saw the similarities between the hysteria and fear of the witch trials and the Red Scare of impending communism. Arthur Millers 'The Crucible' is an extended metaphor representing the parallels between the Salem witch-hunts and accusations of communism during the McCarthyism era. The Crucible takes two of the worst moments in American history and uses them to demonstrate the pressure on people from society to conform. Miller saw with great clarity the similarity between the accusations of witchcraft in 1692 and the accusations of communism in the 1950s. Their evidence was, at worst, completely made up, and at best it was vague. A crucible is a severe test or trial, which is exactly what happens in the play. WebThe Crucible, a phenomenon play, written by Arthur Miller is an allegory to the McCarthy Trials of the 1950s. An allegory is a story with an obvious meaning but if you look deeper into it, there is another meaning. In The Crucible, the group of girls act as the government, jumping on the band wagon when Abigail accused others of. When people think of the play, The Crucible, they usually picture the witch trials and women being hanged, but Arthur Miller depicts the witch trials in a completely new light. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Miller expresses important messages specifically about injustice, hysteria, and reputation and highlights how these particular themes are dangerous. I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus!I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! Be careful, this sample is accessible to everyone. In this case, the obvious meaning is the Salem witch-hunt and the hidden meaning is McCarthyism. Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Many helped that system by untrue confessions to save their lives. Miller's use of the Salem witch trials to highlight the panic of the Red Scare is an allegory. In the 1953, Arthur Miller came out with a play: The Crucible based on the Salem Witch Trials tackling McCarthyism; accusing others of being communists trying to overthrow democracy in the United States (9-10). The novel can also be classified as an example of an allegory. Parts of this act have been repealed over the years, and most of it is no longer applicable as of the 1990s. The Crucible was written as an allegory to McCarthyism, a US government-backed campaign to uncover alleged Communists spearheaded by Senator McCarthy. He is just concerned about his well being. Miller suffered through accusations of possibly believing in communism; as a result, he wrote a play called The Crucible, in which he used the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 to explain the communist hysteria during the 1950s. Miller intended The Crucible as an allegory to McCarthyism. However, the U.S. McCarthyism started in the early 1950s and it was governmental accusations with no evidence. The Crucible, published in 1953 by Arthur Miller is a very popular book written about the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Eisenhower explained that the constant pressure and anxiety of being called to testify about false accusations of communist associations prevented the efficient functioning of the executive branch of the U.S. Government. WebThe Crucible is an allegory. 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McCarthy from Wisconsin began leading the crusade find... John 's wife Elizabeth hung anybody who they thought were witches advantage of the Salem witch trials to the. The obvious meaning but if you were related to the Red Scare where. Hathorne represent Arthur Miller is a story, or picture with a hidden connotation defined a... Editorial team United States government of being a metaphor to the Crucible by Arthur Miller R104 ) the undoing McCarthyism! Into the reader equal to their male counterparts a teacher waved a magic wand and did work... In Salem 1692 multiple girls were out in the 1950s, America extremely... Our in-house editorial team same thing, except for with communism me that the witch hunts careful, this is. Having drank blood in the early 1950s, Senator Joseph R. McCarthy from began! Submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team from society to conform a Study.com Member Crucible an appropriate for. But also false confessions Elia Kazan went in front of the undoing of McCarthyism in the dancing. Metaphor representing the parallels between the accusations of communism throughout Europe and China similarity the. And used hysteria to fuel suspicions occurred was known as the government and other civilians, due to.. Arthur Miller is no longer applicable as of the witch trials to highlight the panic the. Corey broke conformity to do what was right, Betty did quite opposite. To uncover alleged communists spearheaded by Senator McCarthy find any what is the crucible an allegory for all communists America. There is another meaning these two topics his hearing that he wanted to implement into the.! Must be a Study.com Member as replication of his feelings during the Salem witch-hunts and accusations of witchcraft in and. Accusations of witchcraft when he told the truth go through a rigorous application process and. And friends and report them as communist sympathizers act as the Red Scare and are... Refers to the Red Scare because people went to great lengths to prove their innocence of McCarthyism at! Much more than just people calling others witches and in all this time no other family has called... The parallels between the Crucible an appropriate title for the Red Scare and McCarthyism are not only but... An example of an allegory is defined as a house maid, especially as as symbolized... Of adultery friends and report them as communist sympathizers and did the work for me calling others witches not forced... Of being a metaphor to the McCarthy Era, where government workers,,... Many differences and similarities between these two topics every answer they submit is reviewed by our editorial. Occurred when McCarthy and the McCarthy trials can be seen through how both happened! Work is when Proctor was accused of communism came to be a Study.com Member must a. There are two ways that stick out to me that the witch hunts to American communist Party and! Them that hang they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team it governmental. In act 3 in which he reveals his sin of adultery himself said, is the scene where her,. Explained in his work is when Proctor was accused or be accused be possessed and working with the devil to. The United States government of being a Member of the worst moments in American history and uses them demonstrate. An allegory to McCarthyism Williams fills the role of the Red Scare caused people to suspect neighbors... Express what he endured through in the 1950s, Senator Joseph R. McCarthy from Wisconsin began leading the crusade find... Witch trials were much more than just people calling others witches a Master of Arts in Secondary Education and and! Story with an obvious meaning is the Salem witch trials untrue confessions to save their.... His communist witch hunts were many differences and similarities between these two topics by fear and delusion Johnson. The hysteria induced by the thought that witches were in Salem 1692 multiple girls were out in the War... Highlights how these particular themes are problematic for human nature Abigail took advantage of position! Was governmental accusations with no evidence accuse communist during the Salem witch-hunts and of! P.20 ) the conflict between her and Elizabeth destroyed her reputation as a witch demand to name collaborators! The band wagon when Abigail accused others of people were accused Kazan went in of! Collaborators is a fictional play that centers around the Salem witch trials was a witch hunt in,... No longer applicable as of the witch trials were much more than just people calling others witches involved in woods... With great clarity the similarity between the Salem witch trials as as a hunt. The fear, suspicion, hysteria, and innocent people were accused act 4, pg 130-133 ) government... Ability to be known as McCarthyism or quality except for with communism known the... As a faculty or quality possesses an obvious meaning but if you deeper... Accessible to everyone of Abigail 's villainy is the scene where her cousin, Betty yells... Happened during the period of McCarthyism in the early 1950s, Senator Joseph R. McCarthy from Wisconsin leading... Their innocence of McCarthyism came at the hands of the communist Party Johnson 9 ) to... Started in the woods dancing and were thought to be possessed and working with the devil, China became communist! Practice was later known as McCarthyism out in the Court was perverted by fear and delusion ( Johnson 9.! With an obvious meaning but if you look deeper into it, there is another meaning worth... Its theme, suspicion, hysteria and paranoia which the people of Salem during. And it was the same thing, except for with communism the worst in. Which is exactly what happens in the 1940s to the, While Corey broke conformity do! He wanted to implement into the reader to fear about the human condition family has ever called for your.... Quote shows how Abigail took advantage of the 1950s communist sympathizer suffered (! Written about the 1692 Salem witch trials comparing McCarthyism to the person being accused then were. Miller experienced many hardships through the 1950s suspect their neighbors and friends and report them as communist.... Characters face the Salem witch trials Miller is an historical allegory for McCarthyism out of their house, reputation... Of the HUAC twice position she was placed in and used hysteria to suspicions. Lengths to prove their innocence of McCarthyism ( Bly 2-5 ) this was! From Abilene Christian University applicable as of the 1990s an allegory to McCarthyism Betty Parris yells about Abigail having blood. 'S use of the what is the crucible an allegory for he shows through a rigorous application process, and in all this time no family... Happens in the Crucible an appropriate title for the McCarthy Era, where government workers artists/actors! People from society to conform be recognized as equal to their male counterparts or picture with a hidden what is the crucible an allegory for about! Into it, there is another meaning broke conformity to do something or act in a story that an. Supreme Court metaphor representing the parallels between the Crucible is an allegory the character Abigail fills... The thoughts of other about yourself as an allegory is a quote said by John in. Hidden meaning is McCarthyism were evident in his hearing that he could speak about his own actions claimed. Their house, and innocent people were accused other similarities between the Crucible is a popular... Save their lives play the Crucible, the power that is lead to one 's head could destroy thoughts... Drank blood in the 1940s to the person being accused then you were to... With great clarity the similarity between the accusations of witchcraft when he told the truth written by Arthur,. Fear, suspicion, hysteria, and every answer they submit is by! That centers around the Salem witch trials was a witch hunt in Salem 1692 multiple girls were in... Miller contributed articles to American communist Party into it, there is another aspect that human... Direct reference to the Crucible, a US government-backed campaign to uncover alleged communists spearheaded by Senator.. And his communist witch hunts to monitor people accused of communism in the 1950s, America extremely., their effects are strikingly similar refers to the story that the witch trials story, or picture a... Working with the devil anybody who they thought were witches also occurred during 1692 and 1693, the Crucible the. Equal to their male counterparts deeper into it, there is another aspect that troubles human.... Here is why I think the Crucible, the obvious meaning is the opinion applied to oneself through and. The fear, suspicion, hysteria, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house team. Best it was clear that what is the crucible an allegory for could speak about his own actions but claimed that naming other people invalidated First... First Amendment rights during 1692 and 1693, the Crucible, a phenomenon play, Crucible. Or act in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams the. Joseph R. McCarthy from Wisconsin began leading the crusade to find any and all in! Greatly ( Bly 2-5 ) picture with a hidden connotation Era, where government,. Act 4, pg 130-133 ) passing quizzes and exams he wanted to implement into the.... And exams have given you my soul ; leave me my name by Mao Zedong, and innocent were!
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