Miller, Arthur: 1915-2005

The Crucible, 1953 - Information about the Play

General Information | Facts | Author | Commentary | Articles | Podcasts

General Information
- Good for Discussing:
  Mass Hysteria
  Abuse of Power
  Consequences of False Accusations
- "The Crucible" tells the story of a Puritan town consumed by fear and suspicion. Its Reverend Parris, consumed by fear for his reputation, sparks hysteria in Salem when he discovers his daughter and niece dancing in the woods. See Summary.
- 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.
- Reader Rating:
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
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- 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.
Articles: General Information | Detailed/Scholarly Information
- General Information:
- Review: "The article gives a personal reader’s perspective with some descriptive comments about its themes and writing". The Guardian; January 12, 2014
- A witch hunt for truth-denying times: "The article reviews the 2023 Gielgud Theatre production and offers some context about Miller’s 1953 play and its McCarthy‑era allegory". The Guardian; June 16, 2023
- What is the Play about: "The provides a clear summary of the plot, context, characters and themes, and explains Miller’s purpose (e.g., linking the play to McCarthyism), but it’s more descriptive than deeply critical." eGuide Drama (pdf 19pp)
- Symbols: "The video gives a basic overview of key themes like hysteria and symbols in The Crucible but is not deeply analytical."
- Remembering Arthur Miller: Into "The Crucible" Again: "The article briefly connects The Crucible to McCarthyism and Miller’s politics but doesn’t provide a focused, in‑depth analysis." Gary Steven Corseri. February 8 2006
- Hysteria and Ideology in The Crucible: "The article provides a reasonably informative critical analysis, discussing its themes such as hysteria, ideology, and John Proctor’s moral conflict." 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: "The article offers a clear, relevant summary with some context on its themes (mass hysteria, morality, politics) and contemporary connections (e.g., McCarthyism and modern parallels), but it is more descriptive than deeply analytical." Retta Blaney, National Catholic Reporter, May 10, 2002
- Intolerance and Hysteria: "The video gives a basic summary and thematic analysis with some contextual insight, but it isn’t particularly deep."
- Detailed/Scholarly Information:
- A Comparative Study of the Play and the Film: "The thesis provides a detailed, well‑structured comparative analysis in its literary and film forms, contextualizing Miller’s play within both its historical Salem setting and its political allegory of McCarthyism." Maïa Foulis; HAL (pdf 74pp)
Podcasts:
- 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 episode gives a good overview of The Crucible’s context, themes, and enduring relevance with expert discussion and historical background."