Final answer:
The historical context of Arthur Miller's play 'The Crucible' includes the Puritans' self-perception as God's chosen people, parallels with McCarthyism, and the role of Puritan values in shaping American society. These elements are critical to understanding the societal commentary on fear, authority, and moral absolutism inherent in the play.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the historical context of Arthur Miller's play The Crucible is essential to grasp not only the setting of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials but also the parallels it draws with the McCarthy era of the early 1950s. Here are five pieces of historical context from the play's overture that help illuminate the story:
Puritanical fear-mongering: 'The Puritans, those of Massachusetts Bay as well as the Pilgrims of Plymouth, were in fact the earliest American historians.' This is important because it illustrates that the Puritans saw their history as a fulfillment of God's will, shaping their strict societal norms and world view.
Chosen people and a new Canaan: Massachusetts was likened to 'a city on a hill,' a utopia to be modeled. This puritanical self-perception is key to understanding the religious zealotry that contributed to the witch trials.
International context: The play was written in 1953 as a metaphor to criticize McCarthyism, paralleling it with the witch hunts. Understanding the Red Scare's influence reveals Miller's intent to critique his contemporary society.
America's reevaluation of Puritanism: The claim that 'without some understanding of Puritanism, there is no understanding of America' signifies the role of Puritan values in shaping American society and the recurrence of such hysteria.
Literary historical context: Miller's work and its reception clearly define it as a reaction to Cold War hysteria, showing how literature reflects and comments on the society from which it springs.
These contextual elements are indispensable for a complete comprehension of both the character actions within The Crucible and the broader societal commentary Miller provides on the nature of fear, authority, and the repercussions of moral absolutism in American life.