Question

The setting of Arthur Miller's contemporary play The Crucible in Puritan New England is key to your understanding of Miller's message. With a partner, summarize what you now know about the historical context of the play.

Answer 1

The historical context of Arthur Miller's play The Crucible is essential for understanding its message. The play parallels the fear-mongering and wild accusations of the Puritan New England with the Cold War hysteria of the 1950s.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Historical Context of Arthur Miller's The Crucible

The historical context of Arthur Miller's play The Crucible is essential for understanding the play's message. The setting of the play in Puritan New England during the 17th century provides a backdrop of fear-mongering and wild accusations that parallels the Cold War hysteria of the 1950s.

During the 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy used aggressive techniques to target individuals he suspected of having Communist sympathies, creating an atmosphere where few people dared to challenge him. Miller's play serves as a critique of McCarthyism and draws attention to the dangers of mass hysteria and the erosion of civil liberties.

By exploring the historical context of the play, students can gain a deeper understanding of Miller's intention to expose the parallels between the Puritanical Salem Witch Trials and the Red Scare during the Cold War.