The Crucible

The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play based on the witch trials that took place in colonial Massachusetts from 1692 to 1693. The four act play is an allegory of McCarthyism, the investigation into communist influence and presence in American society that took place in the 1950s. Many alleged communists were accused and then jailed or blacklisted. Not all suspected were truly communist, however; many were wrongfully indicted, hence the ‘witch hunt’ of the era. 

The play follows the inhabitants of the small town of Salem as their community descends into a mass hysteria throughout a series of witch trials. There are various undertones present within the society, including vengeance, fear, and distrust. 

The Crucible holds as much political and social relevance today as it did in the 1950s.

In Salem, panic spread rapidly, and accusations were bestowed upon many. Today, similar patterns can be found when misinformation goes viral online or when false information is believed without verification by online communities. Social media can amplify panic quickly, sometimes creating modern ‘witch hunts’ in which people are judged harshly before truth fully emerges. Miller’s depiction of this pandemic of accusations serves as a reminder that all societies, whether in the 1690s, 1950s, or 2020s, can be overcome by miseducation and fear.

The political divide depicted in Salem holds a weighty commentary on the current state of our modern societies. The society in The Crucible crumbles under suspicion, bias, and an “us versus them” mentality. Today, strong political divides are present within citizens as well, which often creates a tense environment. Throughout the witch trials that took place, the struggle to decipher truth and lie plagued the town and court. Characters lie to gain power and heighten the sense of panic within the community, making many others faithful to share the truth. Today, it is not uncommon for public or political figures to lie in order to gain support from less educated individuals who are more susceptible to misinformation.

Miller’s commentary on various complex societal crises, such as the ever present struggle between truth and lie, and the challenge in deciphering it. The play serves as a reminder that a society’s internal struggles must be recognized, in the effort of avoiding widespread divides and subduing the potential results and their effects on society.