The Crucible - Power struggles
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Ignorant Individuals in Large Groups
By: Musicman1401 (Dylan)
Over the course of history, humankind has waged global wars and personal vendettas against one another in a never-ending struggle for power and authority. This concept is widely expanded on in Arthur Miller’s playwright, The Crucible. This brought to light an adaptation of the Salem witch hunts which paralleled Miller’s, and many others’ traumatic experiences of being a communist during the ‘communist hunt’ that took place around the 1950’s. This was the time of McCarthyism; the practice of making accusations towards treason, disloyalty while turning a blind eye to the evidence. In this playwright, as well as during the communist hunts, one individual would accuse one another of what was looked upon as a serious crime. The main motives would usually be derivatives of envy and fear. In the playwright, Abagail Williams, whom of which took part in questionable rituals started the chain of blind accusations after Betty, Mr. Putnam’s daughter, falls into a coma after one of the practices. Additionally, Danforth, who was the judge, was quick to believe false accusations of witchcraft without much evidence. Around 72 people were unjustly hanged, as Danforth believed that he was purifying the town of evil. Reverend Hale, an honest and strong-willed man stands up to Danforth with his well-recognised reputation, and attempts to divert this ‘delusion’ as the townspeople slowly fall away from God’s grasp. Lastly, and most importantly one’s reputation was, and still is heavily cherished. When one’s reputation and security is threatened by an envious neighbour or even a total stranger, the individual will go to the ends of the Earth to protect their family and preserve their name. As an example, John Proctor was an honest man who held pride in his name and land. On the other hand, Danforth had the ultimate power to keep the townspeople ‘safe’ from witches. He was not about
By: Musicman1401 (Dylan)
Over the course of history, humankind has waged global wars and personal vendettas against one another in a never-ending struggle for power and authority. This concept is widely expanded on in Arthur Miller’s playwright, The Crucible. This brought to light an adaptation of the Salem witch hunts which paralleled Miller’s, and many others’ traumatic experiences of being a communist during the ‘communist hunt’ that took place around the 1950’s. This was the time of McCarthyism; the practice of making accusations towards treason, disloyalty while turning a blind eye to the evidence. In this playwright, as well as during the communist hunts, one individual would accuse one another of what was looked upon as a serious crime. The main motives would usually be derivatives of envy and fear. In the playwright, Abagail Williams, whom of which took part in questionable rituals started the chain of blind accusations after Betty, Mr. Putnam’s daughter, falls into a coma after one of the practices. Additionally, Danforth, who was the judge, was quick to believe false accusations of witchcraft without much evidence. Around 72 people were unjustly hanged, as Danforth believed that he was purifying the town of evil. Reverend Hale, an honest and strong-willed man stands up to Danforth with his well-recognised reputation, and attempts to divert this ‘delusion’ as the townspeople slowly fall away from God’s grasp. Lastly, and most importantly one’s reputation was, and still is heavily cherished. When one’s reputation and security is threatened by an envious neighbour or even a total stranger, the individual will go to the ends of the Earth to protect their family and preserve their name. As an example, John Proctor was an honest man who held pride in his name and land. On the other hand, Danforth had the ultimate power to keep the townspeople ‘safe’ from witches. He was not about