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The Crucible And Mccarthyism Analysis

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The Crucible by Arthur Miller is based on the true events of the Salem witch trials. Set in the 17th century The Crucible told the story of a town that ensued a hunt for witches, caused by the accusations of Salem 's young girls and their ring leader Abigail Williams. Arthur Miller wrote this play to symbolize 1950’s McCarthyism. Most readers are unfamiliar with McCarthyism. So for a brief explanation, McCarthyism was carried out under senator Joseph McCarthy during 1950-1954 against alleged communist in the US government and in other institutions. The Salem witch trials and McCarthyism have an uncanny relation to one another. In Salem people were afraid of not appearing christian enough, meanwhile during the 50’s Americans feared of being accused of communism. Also during the McCarthyism era and the witch trials innocent lives were ruined when people were forced to accuse others or be accused themselves. Though The Crucible is an allegory for McCarthyism, it focuses some of its attention on the question what is more important, your honor and reputation or your life? This is a question that John Proctor has to answer in his final act of The Crucible. Was refusing to give up his name an act of excessive pride or an act of honor. Proctor wasn’t a witch, but he wasn’t a saint either due to his sin of adultery. What gets John Proctor accused was his inappropriate relationship with his then servant Abigail Williams. Williams uses her new found power over her towns judicial
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