Similarities Between Mccarthyism And The Crucible

Miller's play is not only a portrait of the Salem Witch Trials but a criticism of contemporary America where people's political opinions were also put on trial? Consider this view in light of the critical anthology.

The Crucible is a play which revolves around the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, yet was written in 1953. When viewed, through a Marxist lens, it is evident this play is a condemnation of McCarthy through the process of allusion. McCarthyism relates to the actions of a Wisconsin senator named Joseph McCarthy, who used mass hysteria and fear of the Russians in order to further his own political career. As stated in the critical anthology by P. Barry an author of a Marxist text is “constantly formed by their social contexts in ways they

During McCarthyism, the media was targeted by McCarthy and accused of being run by communists, however, once being accused the media began to support McCarthy by running fear-inducing articles about communists and how they would destroy America. During the Salem Witch Trials outlined by the Crucible, the townspeople didn't lend any support for the suspected witches. “If Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing's left to stop the whole green world from burning” (Hale, Act 2), the townspeople were too afraid of being accused themselves (much like the media) to support the accused. In this, Arthur Miller once again demonstrates one of the key fundamental ideas of Marxism: the bourgeoisie will always oppress the proletariats. In this case, the bourgeoisie are using fear of punishment to exploit the proletariats to turn away from the plight of their friends. Furthermore, it can be argued that Miller is using the townsfolk as a representation of the media during the time of McCarthyism. This is echoed in the way Miller sets them up to be criticised for their lack of action which results in innocent people’s lives being affected. Alternatively, an even greater criticism of Marxist ideas is presented. Giles Corey (a proletarian) decides to rebel against the court and accuse a bourgeoisie (Thomas Putnam) of swaying the verdict of certain people in order to gain their land once they were found guilty and subsequently executed. From a Marxist viewpoint, Giles would be deemed a rebel (someone who rebels against the oppressive force of the bourgeoisie) and so is punished accordingly (he is crushed to death with rocks). Giles death reflects the class struggle that all proletariats undergo to be free from the bourgeoisie, instead of surrendering to the force of the bourgeoisie Giles would rather die. This could be seen as Miller criticising