Miller, Arthur: 1915-2005

The Crucible, 1953 - Information about the Play

General Information | Facts | Author | Commentary | Reviews | Explanations

General Information
- The play is a dramatized and partially fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during 1692/93; as well as an allegory for McCarthyism, when the United States government persecuted people accused of being communists.
- Information from Wikipedia
- Information from StageAgent
Facts
- Awards: Winner of the 1953 Tony Award for Best Play.
- In the early 1950s the USA was in the grip of a fear of Communists who may have been lurking in the American heartland. Senator Joe McCarthy devoted himself to rooting out these enemies within wherever they might be. It was in response to this climate of fear that Arthur Miller wrote his famous play, "The Crucible". Though set in 17th century New England the play focused on a similar kind of panic and hysteria three centuries before McCarthyism - the Salem Witchhunt,in which 19 people were executed for dealing with the devil. From the BBC
- Glossary
- Title
- Topics
  
  Hysteria and Mass Panic
  The play examines how fear and hysteria can grip an entire community, leading to irrational accusations and a breakdown of moral reasoning. The witch trials in Salem spiraled out of control due to mass hysteria fueled by superstition and scapegoating.
  Persecution and Intolerance
  Miller uses the witch trials as an allegory to comment on the persecution of innocent people and the intolerance of dissenting views or nonconformity. The play draws parallels to the McCarthyism of Miller's time, where suspected communists were aggressively targeted.
  
  Abuse of Power
  The Crucible highlights how those in positions of authority and power, like the judges and ministers, can abuse that power for their own gain or to persecute others. The court system becomes corrupted by lies and false accusations.
  
  Reputation and Honor
  Characters like John Proctor struggle with maintaining their reputations and sense of honor in the face of false accusations and pressure to confess to crimes they did not commit. The play explores the moral dilemmas they face.
  
  Guilt and Redemption
  Themes of guilt, sin, and the possibility of redemption are central to the play's exploration of Puritan society. Characters like John Proctor seek to redeem themselves through confession or resistance.
  
  Gender Roles and Misogyny
  The play examines the strict gender roles and patriarchal structure of Puritan New England society. It also highlights the misogynistic attitudes that allowed the persecution of women as alleged witches.
  
  Miller's powerful allegory in The Crucible tackles these complex topics through the lens of the Salem witch trials, providing a cautionary tale about the dangers of hysteria, intolerance, and the abuse of power.
  
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Author
- Why I Wrote The Crucible: Arthur Miller's answers to politics.
  - Explanation to Miller's "Why I wrote the Crucible"
- A Note on the Historical Accuracy of the Play by Arthur Miller, with questions about the article.
- Are You Now Or Were You Ever?: Arthur Miller describes the paranoia that swept America. From The Guardian/The Observer, Saturday, June 17, 2000
- Arthur Miller has said he believes his play The Crucible is as relevant today as it was on its release 50 years ago. "This threat from abroad is a very useful way of holding onto power," Miller said. "We've got it now with Bush and Iraqis." From the BBC; August 26, 2003
- Conversation With Daniel Day-Lewis And Arthur Miller
- Arthur Miller talks about the HUAC and The Crucible
  Part 1
  
  Part 2
Commentary
- Arthur Miller’s "The Crucible" is a powerful allegory that intertwines the events of the 1692 Salem witch trials with the McCarthy-era Red Scare of the 1950s. The play explores themes such as mass hysteria, reputation, integrity, and the dangers of theocratic governance. Set in a Puritan society, the story begins with accusations of witchcraft, which spiral into chaos as fear and personal vendettas consume the community. Abigail Williams, a central figure, manipulates this hysteria to seek revenge against John Proctor, with whom she had an affair. Proctor’s journey from guilt over his infidelity to his ultimate act of moral redemption is a poignant exploration of honor and personal integrity .
  The play critiques the dangers of unchecked authority and societal paranoia, paralleling the McCarthy trials where baseless accusations destroyed lives. Miller uses characters like Judge Danforth to highlight how rigid adherence to ideology can blind individuals to justice. Ultimately, John Proctor’s refusal to falsely confess underscores the importance of personal integrity over societal approval, making "The Crucible" a timeless warning against fear-driven decision-making.
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Reviews
- Review: "It is hard to describe characters when they were once living and breathing, and also to explain a plot when the general events are written in the history books". The Guardian; January 12, 2014
- A witch hunt for truth-denying times: "Part of Proctor’s story is that he is an immigrant, whose struggles to tame the land makes him vulnerable to all sorts of venalities". The Guardian; June 16, 2023
Explanations
- Symbols
- Remembering Arthur Miller: Into "The Crucible" Again by Gary Steven Corseri. February 8 2006
- Podcast
  This is Arthur Miller’s powerful, cautionary play, which recreates the real-life terror of the notorious Salem Witch Trials. The Play Podcast with Stephen Marino, founding editor of The Arthur Miller Journal. November 1, 2022
- The Crucible and the Classroom: An Examination of Arthur Miller's Technique of Dealing with the Devil
- Hysteria and Ideology in The Crucible from: Richard Hayes, "Hysteria and Ideology in The Crucible," Commonweal 57 (February 1953), p. 498.
- Play's tale of morality and mass hysteria still relevant today by Retta Blaney, National Catholic Reporter, May 10, 2002
- Intolerance and Hysteria