As Arthur Miller states in his autobiography,1 The Crucible has become his most frequently produced play. This great success of a conventional drama can certainly not be explained without regard to its political message. When the play was first performed in 1953, its audiences were quick to recognize the connections between the witch craze in 17th century Massachusetts and the American anti-communist hysteria of their own time. Like any literary text, The Crucible reflects the conditions under which it was produced, and Miller himself says that he could not have written it at any other time.2 Since in this case parallels between the events in both times are extremely striking, it seems necessary for the understanding and interpretation of the play to explain its dual historical context.
At the same time, it would be wrong to interpret Miller’s drama against this background only. Or, as Reitz puts it: “The Crucible ist kein Schlüsseldrama, das auf die vordergründige Aktualität von Wiedererkennungseffekten setzt und zu diesem Zweck Anhänger und Gegner McCarthys als Puritaner (...) kostümiert“.3 Miklos Trocsanyi argues similarly, pointing out that
Miller was glad, when in the contemporary criticism (…) less and less mention was made of and parallel drawn between the witchcraft hysteria and McCarthyism. It meant that the deeper message was more and more appreciated.4
Finding out about this “deeper message” is what the analysis of the dual historical context aims at. Therefore this research paper will, after explaining the historical circumstances of both the Salem witch hunt and the American anticommunism under McCarthy, focus on parallel phenomena underlying the events in both times. This comparison, which will be made from a psychological point of view, is intended to reveal why Miller’s play “is presently being approached more and more frequently as a cultural and historical study rather than a political allegory”.5
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. The primary historical context: Salem in 1692
- II.1. The political situation in 17th century Massachusetts
- II.2. Miller's view of 17th century Puritanism
- II.3. A comparison of historical and dramatic details
- III. The secondary historical context: America in the 1950s
- III.1. The McCarthy Era
- III.2. The impact of McCarthyism on Miller's personal life
- III.3. The Reception of The Crucible in the 1950s
- IV. A psychological approach to the events in 1692 and in the 1950s
- V. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper aims to analyze Arthur Miller's The Crucible by exploring its dual historical context: the Salem witch trials of 1692 and the McCarthy era of the 1950s. It seeks to understand how these historical events shaped Miller's play and contributed to its enduring success. The paper will also delve into the deeper thematic resonance of the play, moving beyond a simple political allegory.
- The political and social climate of 17th-century Massachusetts and its role in the Salem witch trials.
- Miller's portrayal of Puritan society and its inherent contradictions.
- The parallels between the Salem witch trials and McCarthyism, focusing on themes of mass hysteria and the suppression of dissent.
- A psychological examination of the motivations and behaviors of individuals involved in both historical events.
- The enduring relevance of The Crucible as a cultural and historical study.
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context for the analysis of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. It highlights the play's enduring popularity and its undeniable political message, particularly its resonance with the McCarthy era. The chapter emphasizes the need to consider both the historical context of the Salem witch trials and the 1950s to fully understand the play's deeper meaning. It also preemptively counters interpretations that solely focus on the superficial parallels between the two historical periods, suggesting a richer, more nuanced understanding is possible.
II. The primary historical context: Salem in 1692: This section delves into the historical events surrounding the Salem witch trials of 1692. It examines the political instability of 17th-century Massachusetts, marked by the revocation of the colony's charter and the subsequent imposition and overthrow of royal governors. This instability created an atmosphere of suspicion and fear, making the community vulnerable to the spread of mass hysteria. The chapter further details the role of spectral evidence in the trials and the devastating consequences of relying on such unreliable testimony, leading to the unjust imprisonment, torture, and execution of numerous individuals. The eventual questioning of spectral evidence and the subsequent repentance and compensation highlight the tragic consequences of mass hysteria fueled by political anxieties.
III. The secondary historical context: America in the 1950s: This chapter shifts the focus to the McCarthy era in the United States. It examines the anti-communist hysteria that swept the nation, creating an atmosphere of fear and paranoia not unlike that of Salem in 1692. The chapter discusses the impact of McCarthyism on Miller's personal life, highlighting how his experiences influenced his writing of The Crucible. The reception of the play in the 1950s is also analyzed, demonstrating how audiences immediately recognized the parallels between the Salem witch hunts and the contemporary anti-communist purges.
Keywords
Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Salem witch trials, McCarthyism, Puritanism, mass hysteria, political allegory, historical context, psychological analysis, cultural study, anti-communism, spectral evidence.
Arthur Miller's *The Crucible*: A Comprehensive Language Preview - FAQ
What is this document?
This document is a comprehensive language preview for a research paper analyzing Arthur Miller's play, *The Crucible*. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The preview is intended for academic use, facilitating the analysis of thematic elements within the play.
What are the main themes explored in the research paper?
The research paper explores the dual historical contexts of *The Crucible*: the Salem witch trials of 1692 and the McCarthy era of the 1950s. Key themes include the political and social climates of both periods, Miller's portrayal of Puritan society, the parallels between the Salem witch trials and McCarthyism (especially mass hysteria and suppression of dissent), a psychological examination of individuals involved, and the enduring relevance of the play as a cultural and historical study.
What historical contexts are examined?
The paper deeply analyzes both the Salem witch trials of 1692 and the McCarthy era of the 1950s. For Salem, it examines the political instability, the role of spectral evidence, and the consequences of mass hysteria. For the 1950s, it focuses on McCarthyism, its impact on Miller's life, and the play's reception during that time, highlighting the parallels between the two historical periods.
What is the approach taken in the research paper?
The research paper takes a multi-faceted approach. It examines the historical context of both the Salem witch trials and the McCarthy era, explores Miller's portrayal of Puritanism, analyzes the parallels between the two historical events, and delves into a psychological examination of the motivations and behaviors of the individuals involved. It aims to move beyond a simple political allegory to understand the deeper thematic resonance of the play.
What are the chapter summaries?
The preview provides summaries of each chapter. Chapter I is an introduction establishing the context and the need for a nuanced understanding of the play. Chapter II explores the historical context of Salem in 1692, including political instability and the devastating consequences of the witch trials. Chapter III shifts to the McCarthy era, examining its impact on Miller and the play's reception. Chapter IV provides a psychological approach to events in both time periods, and Chapter V is the conclusion.
What are the key words associated with this research paper?
Key words include: Arthur Miller, *The Crucible*, Salem witch trials, McCarthyism, Puritanism, mass hysteria, political allegory, historical context, psychological analysis, cultural study, anti-communism, and spectral evidence.
What is the overall objective of the research paper?
The research paper aims to analyze *The Crucible* by exploring its dual historical context, understanding how these events shaped the play and contributed to its enduring success. It seeks to go beyond simple political allegory to understand the play's richer, more nuanced meaning.
Who is the intended audience?
This preview is intended for an academic audience interested in the analysis of Arthur Miller's *The Crucible*, its historical context, and its enduring themes.
- Quote paper
- Kristin Hammer (Author), 2000, The Dual Historical Context of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/21381
