Extended Essay
EXTENDED ESSAY
THE CRUCIBLE
In this extended essay I will undertake a detailed analysis of some of the major themes in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Hysteria and, the oppressive nature of society are all addressed by the playwright, However, the theme of the power struggle, principally, individuality vs society is paramount. I also wanted to discuss how relevant the themes and the characteristics in the crucible are in the real modern and social world. This vital theme dominates the play. In 1950, the United States and the USSR faced off against each other as enemies in the Cold War. The tensions generated as each vied for the title of Superpower continued unabated until the end the war in the early 1990's. The Americans wanted to keep Communism in check and prevent it from enroaching on their lives. In order to allay fears of another major dispute with Russia, all those suspected of supporting Communism were imprisoned by Senator McCarthy, irrespective of proof to the contrary. The incidence resembled the absurdity of the situation in Salem almost two centuries ago and McCarthy’s ludicrous actions were consequentially labelled as a “witch-hunt”. Miller opposed the techniques of McCarthyism, whose aims were to label opponents of his ideologies as communists just as those who opposed the authority of Salem were perceived to indulge in witch craft.
In 1692, the town of Salem was chiefly governed by the Church, which if not in total control, had most of the control of the town. Every church was supposed to be independent, but they all abided by the same precise rules of conduct and faith. Salem was ruled by theocracy. This is an area where religion is law. Salem was different from other Puritan colonies, as the law system and religion are two different things in those colonies. Thus, in Salem, the verdicts were made through how god would look at the crime, instead of doing it according to the situation and the apt proof. Salem was ruled by and was united
THE CRUCIBLE
In this extended essay I will undertake a detailed analysis of some of the major themes in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Hysteria and, the oppressive nature of society are all addressed by the playwright, However, the theme of the power struggle, principally, individuality vs society is paramount. I also wanted to discuss how relevant the themes and the characteristics in the crucible are in the real modern and social world. This vital theme dominates the play. In 1950, the United States and the USSR faced off against each other as enemies in the Cold War. The tensions generated as each vied for the title of Superpower continued unabated until the end the war in the early 1990's. The Americans wanted to keep Communism in check and prevent it from enroaching on their lives. In order to allay fears of another major dispute with Russia, all those suspected of supporting Communism were imprisoned by Senator McCarthy, irrespective of proof to the contrary. The incidence resembled the absurdity of the situation in Salem almost two centuries ago and McCarthy’s ludicrous actions were consequentially labelled as a “witch-hunt”. Miller opposed the techniques of McCarthyism, whose aims were to label opponents of his ideologies as communists just as those who opposed the authority of Salem were perceived to indulge in witch craft.
In 1692, the town of Salem was chiefly governed by the Church, which if not in total control, had most of the control of the town. Every church was supposed to be independent, but they all abided by the same precise rules of conduct and faith. Salem was ruled by theocracy. This is an area where religion is law. Salem was different from other Puritan colonies, as the law system and religion are two different things in those colonies. Thus, in Salem, the verdicts were made through how god would look at the crime, instead of doing it according to the situation and the apt proof. Salem was ruled by and was united