Thematic Analysis: The Crucible
Historical Connection Essay
In both The Crucible and McCarthy's situation with communism, there is a theme of widespread paranoia and the devastating effects it can have on innocent people. The historical context of this play has given me a better understanding of false paranoia and to what extent people can act upon it.
By definition, McCarthyism is a "paranoid hunt for infiltrators." (McCarthyism) When Arthur Miller wrote the Crucible he used events in the play as symbols for what had been happening to the country in the 50's. "McCarthy's false accusations heightened political tensions of the times." (McCarthyism) The group of girls in The Crucible represented McCarthy by making similar false accusations and raising paranoia amongst the town. Seeing that McCarthy himself could send a country into turmoil is further convincing that a group could instill paranoia on a small town. If one knows how to harness effective manipulation, it does not seem far fetched they could influence a group.
Arthur Miller even proposed that the play can relate to several situations other than his own. "I have had immense confidence in the applicability of the play to almost any time, the reason being it's dealing with a paranoid situation. But that situation doesn't depend on any particular political or sociological development." (The Demons Of Salem With Us Still) This shows paranoia can exist in any situation if you allow it to. It proves that paranoia is a fragile thing and like a spark creating a large fire. This frightening thought increases my appreciation for the play because of it's relativity to my own life that I had not realized while reading.
To not include oneself in these situations, one must have strong sense of rationality. In Millers memoir, Timebends, he describes how he came about comparing McCarthy to The Salem witch trials. "My own rationality was too strong, I thought, to really allow me to capture this wildly irrational outbreak." Miller describes
In both The Crucible and McCarthy's situation with communism, there is a theme of widespread paranoia and the devastating effects it can have on innocent people. The historical context of this play has given me a better understanding of false paranoia and to what extent people can act upon it.
By definition, McCarthyism is a "paranoid hunt for infiltrators." (McCarthyism) When Arthur Miller wrote the Crucible he used events in the play as symbols for what had been happening to the country in the 50's. "McCarthy's false accusations heightened political tensions of the times." (McCarthyism) The group of girls in The Crucible represented McCarthy by making similar false accusations and raising paranoia amongst the town. Seeing that McCarthy himself could send a country into turmoil is further convincing that a group could instill paranoia on a small town. If one knows how to harness effective manipulation, it does not seem far fetched they could influence a group.
Arthur Miller even proposed that the play can relate to several situations other than his own. "I have had immense confidence in the applicability of the play to almost any time, the reason being it's dealing with a paranoid situation. But that situation doesn't depend on any particular political or sociological development." (The Demons Of Salem With Us Still) This shows paranoia can exist in any situation if you allow it to. It proves that paranoia is a fragile thing and like a spark creating a large fire. This frightening thought increases my appreciation for the play because of it's relativity to my own life that I had not realized while reading.
To not include oneself in these situations, one must have strong sense of rationality. In Millers memoir, Timebends, he describes how he came about comparing McCarthy to The Salem witch trials. "My own rationality was too strong, I thought, to really allow me to capture this wildly irrational outbreak." Miller describes