When studying allegoric texts, it is important that students understand the concept of allegory as a foundation for the reading. Since an allegory's purpose is to add a deeper, symbolic meaning to the text, students must be able to define the term and spot the references in the work. Allegories like The Crucible hide a moral or political meaning, so it is important that students know the background before starting the play.
In The Crucible, Miller uses the mass hysteria and finger-pointing during the Salem Witch Trials as a comparison to the 'witch hunt' of the McCarthy Trials in the 1950s. In the play, Miller creates many parallels between the hunt for witches and the hunt for communists. For example, during the McCarthy Trials, the accused person would be shown leniency if they gave the names of other conspirators. This meant they often would give up names of people who weren't communists, just so they could escape harsh punishments and fines. In 1692 during the Salem witch trials, people also gave false witness to escape being punished. Those who confessed had their lives spared. Miller expounds his viewpoints through the use of these parallels.
Ask students to create a storyboard that shows the multiple parallels between the text and its allegorical reference. Be sure to check out our lesson on allegory!
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows examples of allegory in The Crucible.
Give an explanation of what an allegory is and how Arthur Miller, the author of "The Crucible," utilized the Salem witch trials as an allegory to critique the McCarthyism of his own era. Teachers can also provide other examples of Allegories used in literature that students are familiar with.
Begin by providing students with the historical context behind the hunt for communists and defining who exactly are communists. Also, familiarize students with the concept of communism and other social ideologies. Explain the difference between collectivism and individualism as a background to explain communism.
Recommend the students to first familiarize themselves with the historical facts so that they can draw a comparison between the story and the reality later on. Students can acquire some background information on the sequence of events, the main people involved, and the political ideologies of the society.
Encourage your students to make comparisons between the people and settings from "The Crucible" and historical persons and events from the McCarthy era. Senator McCarthy, for instance, may be contrasted with someone like Deputy Governor Danforth. Students can link historical facts with the story and figures with the characters to find out the accuracy and the hidden motivations.
Students can organize several debates and discussions on the topics and themes surrounding The Crucible and the actual Salem Witch Trials. This will help them reflect on different subjects and get different perspectives.
The author of the story “The Crucible” penned down this play in the 1950s when Senator Joseph McCarthy led the battle against purported communists in the American government and entertainment sector. McCarthyism was a time characterized by suspicion, defamation, and the blacklisting of suspected communists. Miller compared the panic and unfairness of that age with the current events of McCarthyism using the Salem witch trials as a historical backdrop. Set in the 1600s during the Salem Witch Trial period, Arthur used extensive symbolism to voice his opinions and the actuality of the events.
A major subject in both the play and its metaphorical interpretation is the conflict between the compulsion to conform and individual integrity, as witnessed in characters like John Proctor and Mary Warren. The hunt for communists also has a background in the ideologies of individualism and collectivism.