The Crucible and McCarthyism
The Connection
The Crucible
- written by Arthur Miller in 1971
- based on the Salem Witch Trials (1962)
- based on McCarthyism (1940s&1950s)
McCarthyism
- term to describe being disloyal to the US government
- initiated by Senator Joseph McCarthy
- coincided with the Red Scare
Gulity or Not
"Guilty until you confess" attitude was in both The Crucible & McCarthyism; however:
The Crucible
The Crucible
- people were hung if they didn't confess
- put in jail if he/she confessed and named others as well
McCarthyism
- was viewed as a communist either way
- incarcerated if found gulity
Falsely Accused
The Crucible (Abigail)
- made false accusations
- tried to cover up her secret of witchcraft
McCarthyism (Joseph McCarthy)
- made false accusations against alcoholics and sexual deviants
- tried to cover up his own drinking and sexual problems
Disloyalty
Victims of both accusations were accused of being disloyal to something.
The Crucible
- being disloyal to their religion (Puritans)
- dealings with the devil
McCarthyism
- being disloyal to the US government (Democracy)
- accused of being a communist (Russia)
Arthur Miller
The Crucible
- Arthur Miller wrote it
McCarthyism
- Arthur Miller was accused by Joseph McCarthy
- based his book on McCarthyism
Hysteria
The Crucible
- hysteria began with others being falsely accused in fear of being accused themselves
McCarthyism
- hysteria began with McCarthy accusing people in the government in fear of being accused themselves.