Examples Of Propaganda In The Crucible

The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller in 1953, is a play that depicts the Salem witch trials of 1692. The play is a commentary on the McCarthy era, during which Miller himself was accused of communist sympathies. The play uses propaganda to depict how the Salem witch trials were fueled by fear, hysteria, and the desire for power. This essay will explore the different types of propaganda used in The Crucible and how they serve to further the play's themes and messages.
One of the most prevalent forms of propaganda in The Crucible is fear-mongering. The characters in the play are constantly worried about their reputations, their families, and their lives. The idea of witchcraft and the devil's influence is used to create an atmosphere of fear and terror. The characters are afraid of being accused of witchcraft themselves and will do almost anything to avoid being labeled as such. This fear is used by the authorities in the play to control and manipulate the population. For example, when Reverend Parris discovers his daughter Betty and several other girls dancing in the woods, he immediately assumes that they were practicing witchcraft. He uses this fear of witchcraft to control the community and to gain power over his rivals.

The play depicts a society in which the accused are assumed to be guilty until proven innocent. The characters in the play are quick to assume that anyone who is accused of witchcraft is guilty and has made a pact with the devil. This assumption leads to the demonization of innocent people, such as Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor. Both of these characters are accused of witchcraft even though they have done nothing wrong. The demonization of these characters is used to create a sense of righteousness among the accusers and to justify their