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Similarities Between The Oppressive Society In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

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In The Crucible, Arthur Miller uses characterization, setting, conflict, and motifs to explore the similarities between the oppressive society of the 1950s and the Salem Witch Trials of 1690. In Act IV of the play, Miller continues to build upon this commentary by demonstrating how the same tendencies of human nature can cause the same prejudice and suffering in both societies. In Act IV, the audience sees how the same human tendencies that drove the Salem Witch Trials continue to cause suffering in the McCarthy era. Miller uses Reverend Hale to demonstrate this. When Hale returns to Salem, he is initially hopeful that the court can be persuaded to abandon the trials. However, his hope quickly fades as he realizes that the court is too invested

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