The Crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller. This play occurs in Salem, Massachusetts, as suspicions rise of witchcraft. John Proctor, one of the main characters, created false accusations of Abigail (a teen) partaking in witchcraft. This leads to a string of accusations that causes hysteria in the entire town. These accusations find their way to court, where false “evidence” and faulty claims overpower the truth that few dare to speak out loud.
It was really intriguing to read this book knowing that Arthur Miller had written this play as an allegory of the Red Scare. While both situations were sparked by different events, they both involved mass hysteria and resulted in false accusations. I generally do not enjoy reading plays, but I liked reading The Crucible and noting parallels between the Salem Witch Trials and the Red Scare. I think Miller wrote The Crucible to warn others of the danger that mass hysteria can result in; many individuals lost jobs and were wrongly accused of being something they were not. I think the message that Miller conveys through his play is important because it is a warning to not let fear cloud your judgment. I enjoyed reading this and gave this play a 4 out of 5 stars.