The Crucible

"The Crucible" is a play by Arthur Miller, set during the Salem witch trials of 1692. It explores themes of mass hysteria, moral integrity, and the consequences of fear and scapegoating. The story follows characters who, caught in a web of accusations, grapple with their beliefs and values. As the community spirals into paranoia, the play critiques the dangers of extremism and the abandonment of reason. Miller wrote it as an allegory to comment on McCarthyism in the 1950s, reflecting the impact of social pressures and the struggle between personal conscience and societal demands.