Similarities Between The Crucible And Mccarthyism

Maria Evans

Mrs. Busick

English 3

03 February 2023

The Crucible & McCarthyism: What are the parallels?

Have you ever been so wrapped up in hysteria and fear that you end up doing things that you would normally consider irrational, extreme, and completely against your values? This situation was perfectly played out in The Crucible based on the Salem Witch Trials in 1692 and the McCarthy Era in the United States in 1953. The Crucible was a book written by Arthur Miller, dramatizing the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts. The McCarthy Era took place during the Red Scare centuries later, where Americans made false accusations against people, mostly government officials, in fear of the evils of Communism overtaking American society. There are several

An example of this is in The Crucible, where Giles Corey refused to give a response to his indictment, even when he was moments from death by pressing. He did this because he did not want to live with the confession of being a wizard if he responded in favor, and if he denied the accusation, he would be hanged and his property would be auctioned off. He did not answer so that he could die innocent and so his sons could inherit his property (Miller 135). Other examples of citizens in The Crucible that refused to confess to being guilty were Rebecca Nurse and Goody Osborne, who ended up being hanged. In the McCathy Era, Mr. Seeger refused to testify before the HUAC, as displayed in Document E. “I am not going to answer any questions as to my association, my philosophical or religious beliefs, or how I voted in any election, or any of these private affairs.” (Bentley). Even though he knew he would be blacklisted, he knew this was the right thing to do. His efforts were not in vain, for he appealed and won. Seeger and Giles Corey shared a parallel in that they valued their reputation of innocence more than a life lived in a