It powerfully depicts people and principles under pressure and the issues and motivations involved. The crucible is a 1953 play by american playwright arthur miller. Few serious american playwrights have captured the imagination of the theater public all over the world as has arthur miller. Arthur millers classic parable of mass hysteria draws a chilling parallel between the salem witchhunt of 1692 one of the strangest and most awful chapters in. Arthur millers classic play the crucible is an allegory for mccarthyism, set in the salem witch trials. In his 1953 play the crucible, playwright arthur miller employs a fictionalized account of massachusetts bay colonists accused of witchcraft in 1692 as a metaphor for government persecution of suspected communists during the mid20th century. A haunting examination of groupthink and mass hysteria in a rural community i believe that the. The crucible by arthur miller is a very well written account of the salem witch trials and provides an incredible portrait of the complexities of the human soul. It is ostensibly based on the witch trials in salem in the seventeenth century, but is truly inspired by the persecutions of communists and unamericans by senator mccarthy. Heres where youll find analysis about the book as a whole, from the major.
Explore a character analysis of john proctor, plot summary, and important quotes. The crucible is a play written by arthur miller in 1953, about the destructive nature of superstition, ignorance, fear, corruption, greed and vengeance. The crucible by arthur miller goodreads share book. Before leaving, giles fatefully remarks that he has noticed his wife reading unknown books and asks hale to look into it. A bedroom in reverend samuel parris house, salem, massachusetts, in the spring of the year, 1692. Detailed summary, analysis and reading guide bright summaries.
The first edition of the novel was published in 1953, and was written by arthur miller. The main characters of this classics, plays story are rev. At the same time, it is also a parable for the events of the mccarthy era in the usa of the 1950s when anyone suspected. Its hard to believe that people allowed this travesty to occur. However the printondemand industry and the widespread publication of books that are protected. Act two the common room of proctors house, eight days later. The crucible is a study in the mass hysteria which led to the 1692 salem witchcraft trials, concentrating on the fate of some of the key figures caught up in the persecution. Collected plays penguin classics deluxe edition arthur miller. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 143 pages and is available in paperback format. It is a dramatized and partially fictionalized story of the salem witch trials that took place in the massachusetts bay colony during 169293. At the right is a door opening on the fields outside.
A fireplace is at the left, and behind it a stairway. Arthur miller has 184 books on goodreads with 857324 ratings. I believe that the reader will discover here the essential nature. Free download or read online the crucible pdf epub book. In his 1953 play the crucible, playwright arthur miller employs a fictionalized.