Examples Of Allegory In The Crucible

In the play “The Crucible”, the Author Arthur Miller using allegory cleverly describes the hypocrisy and hysteria of the 1950s with the backdrop of late 17th century Massachusetts, while using some Key characters to convey his message of what happens when fear over runs us. The play takes place in salem Massachusetts 1692. In its most basic form the play is about a town that becomes overrun with hysteria after people believe witchcraft has run amok. During the time it was written in post world war two America. The USA conducted trials and hunted for communists. Most of these trials were unfounded and the men in charge used bully tactics in order to get a grip on the society back then using fear to help their cause. Now knowing this about the book there are several characters that convey Miller’s double message.

Putnam shows how people can manipulate a trend of fear to their advantage. In the play he and his wife are the first to make the jump to witchcraft after their, and the reverend's daughter become sick. Thomas Putnam in the play used “witchcraft” as fuel to get his way. As Miller put in the above quote; “Thomas Putnam is a vindictive man.” In the play he is known to make shady decisions. The character Giles Corey gives us insight to that “You have a habit of taking land from others that isn't yours,” One of Thomas Putnam’s rivals are the prestigious Nurse family. He uses the fear of the time to get Nurses in trouble so he can prophit. Miller’s purpose with Thomas is to show how fear can be exploited, and how quickly people will scapegoat others when it befits them. He is a good parallel to the politicians at the time who accuse someone of communism in order to get rid of rivals. Miller shows through this how fear breeds