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Analysing Arthur Miller’s The Crucible: A Cultural Study
Dr Kavita Singla
Abstract:
The play\\\"The Crucible\\\" set during the Salem witch trials of the 17th century, is renowned for its allegorical critique of McCarthyism and its themes of hysteria, fear, and abuse of power. Arthur Miller who had tasted the worldwide success with his plays, specially “All My Sons” and “The Death of A Salesman”, suddenly came under scanner for his marxist leanings. Though he was an upholder of capitalism, he wanted to reform economic class division in society a bit. In “The Crucible” the playwright chose Salem Witch trials to put things in perspective. Though he came out free from the political allegations in the end, this incident impacted the sensitive soul to a great extent.This paper explores how \\\"The Crucible\\\" remains relevant in contemporary society, drawing parallels between the events of the play and the challenges faced in the modern world.\\\"The Crucible\\\" serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked authority and the consequences of allowing fear to dictate collective actions. By exploring the play\\\'s relevance in today\\\'s world, this paper analyses how the lessons from the past can guide discussions on maintaining civil liberties, ethical behavior, and responsible governance.\\r\\n