Similarities Between The Red Scare And The Crucible

The Crucible shows the similarities between the Salem witch trials and the Red Scare, the fear of communism.The red scare led to many people fearing every one else, thinking they were communist. In Salem witch trials, witchcraft is haunting the village. During the McCarthy era, freedom was a very important aspect in life, as was religion a very important aspect of life during the Salem witch trials. The Crucible was a play made to symbolize McCarthyism in the 1950’s In the beginning of The Crucible you are exposed to flaws in their religion through Parris. Parris is too drawn up in himself and is only worried about his reputation so when Abigail won’t tell him what happened he yells to Abigail, “I have sought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character.”
If you were accused of witchcraft and you pleaded guilty you would be spared, but , “The Deputy Governor promised hangin’ if they’ll not confess.” This was the same in both the Salem witch trials and McCarthyism, as long as they pleaded guilty or offered other targets up for the hunt they would be spared. This is why everyone began accusing anyone they disliked or knew was an easy target. Abigail is the one who starts all the accusing and she soon gets everyone on her side. The girls begin blaming anyone they can of witchcraft and even Mary Warren while trying to help prove Elizabeth’s innocence begins to yell at John Proctor, “Don’t touch me, don’t touch me, you’re the Devil’s man.” Mary Warren just like all the other girls did this so that she would no longer be questioned of witchcraft, and during McCarthyism people questioned over communism would immediately deny it and throw someone else’s name out. Soon we find out that lies become more important than the