The Crucible Coursework Essay -- Essay on The Crucible

The Crucible Coursework Essay The Crucible was written in 1952 by the playwright Arthur Miller. It is an allegory of the McCarthy ‘witch-hunts’ which occurred during the 1950’s. It was effectively the arrest and questioning of those suspected of communist views or that sympathised with communists. The USA was very suspicious of communists due to the Cold War between itself and the USSR. Joe McCarthy, leader of the governmental organisation, the Anti-Democracy Policy, headed the hunts. Arthur Miller was himself arrested by McCarthy. Miller was very irritated by this and decided that he wanted to protest by writing a satirical play. To have his play shown on Broadway he had to write an allegory based on his treatment and the insanity of the ‘witch-hunts’. The play is set in a fictional town named Salem in Massachusetts, USA in 1692, a period of American history when people were strict Christians. In Acts I, II and III we see a portrayal of local farmer John Proctor as he becomes involved in the injustices and realises the stupidity of the witch-hunts of Salem. In Act I we are introduced to Reverend Samuel Parris, a corrupted clergyman. He is insecure, bitter and paranoid about witchcraft infecting his parish, giving him a bad reputation. We learn that he has seen several girls dancing naked and casting spells in the nearby woods, including his daughter, Betty, niece, Abigail Williams and his housemaid, Tituba. Parris’ perversion could be seen as the ‘perversion’ of the autocratic 1950’s America. We also briefly establish John Proctor’s relationship with Abigail. An orphan, Abigail worked for him and his wife, Elizabeth as a housemaid until Elizabeth discovers that they were having an affair, ... ...cating that Proctor’s conscience has been eased. Danforth looks defeated here, showing us that Proctor’s truth and ability to stay strong has quashed the judge. Proctor is then sent to be hanged, and arrives in a cart carrying Goody Nurse, an innocent woman also condemned to death. In the shot both he and Goody Nurse are standing implying that they are closer to Heaven than the crowds below that have come to see them executed. We see a close-up of Elizabeth and at this point the music becomes powerful, showing her strong character. As they begin to recite the Lord’s Prayer we see that the accused are true Christians, though by not being allowed to finish the prayer, we see that justice has now been overcome. Through his own interpretation, the director presents the film in a way that remains true to the original themes and ideas of Miller’s play.