David P. answered • 10/18/19
Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, 25 years college teaching experience
Thank you for your question, Lula. I have not only read Arthur Miller’s play and studied it, but I also acted in a production of The Crucible. Miller had in mind as a historical parallel to the Salem witch trials another sort of “witch hunt” that I believe he considered equally diabolical, namely the hearings of the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, or HUAC, hearings led by Senator Joseph McCarthy that were held in the 1950’s to determine if prominent Americans were involved in some way with the Communist party.
With little or no evidence, the accusers in Miller’s play could brand their fellow citizens as being witches and in league with the devil, ruining lives and causing those accused to be executed. In a similar way, Miller saw that he and others were in danger of having their reputations tarnished or their lives ruined as a result of being branded a Communist with little or no proof.
the same kind of hysteria can occur in our society today.
i hope that answer will help you.
All the best.
David
