The characters in the play allegorise the people involved in the ‘Red Scare’ as they face the same situations as those being falsely accused.
Arthur Miller the author of the Crucible has used many different techniques to link 1950’s America to the play, with old-fashioned linguistic features. The use of old –fashioned language makes the play more credible, as it is more than likely that the Crucible play set in modern day would not be as believable. It would not be possible to set the play in modern day standards due to a more politically advanced society. Arthur Miller has made some minor credible changes in certain aspects to the play such as ages of the characters. Originally Abigail Williams was at the young age of just eleven or twelve and John Proctor was around 65 years of age.
There is a continual flow of interrogation and accusations throughout the play. A good example of this would be on page 49-50. The cumulating lines of act one capture the hysteria of McCarthy America power:
ABIGAIL:I saw goody Hawkins with the Devil!
BETTY: I saw goody Bibber with the Devil!
ABIGAIL: I saw Goody Booth with the devil!
The harsh repetition and vicious exclamations powerfully capture a sense of ‘Devilish imagery’, accusations and various other tones such as prolepsis and exaggeration.
The communists of 1950’s America were constantly being accused of communism and hunted as they were thought of a threat and disruption in society. Salem 1692 was a small village far from cities. Salem was a small trustworthy community where anything of this nature was unheard of. In the summer of 1692 in Salem several girls were caught dancing in the forest performing simple charms upon boys to win their hearts over. Over time the meeting had become out of hand, a local lawyer and uncle to one named Abigail discovered them and immediately felt threatened. The morning after Betty the daughter of Mr and Mrs Putnam lay unconscious. There Parris confronted his niece Abigail Williams with what he saw.
Arthur Miller has chosen and used the characters in the play carefully. With two particular characters he has allegorised them to relate them with another man who lived in 1950s America. This man was called McCarthy. McCarthy was a greedy man who wanted more power and to be superior to others. He was the main accuser throughout the beginning of the whole anti-communist episode. He was feared deeply as if anyone was to put one step out of place he would pick up on it and more than often trial you on the account of communism. This has a large and strong relationship with the crucible play as if one was to deny the act of witchery then he or she would be thought of as a liar and at the least convicted of prudery. Thomas Putnam is an owner of farmland and would go to any measure to gain wealth, as he is a selfish greedy man. The caption below shows how he and his wife are forceful and insisting that they are right.
PUTNAM: They say you’ve sent for reverend hale of Beverly?
PARRIS: A precaution only. He has much experience in all demonic arts, and I-
MRS PUTNAM: He has indeed; and found a witch in Beverly last year, and let you remember that.
PARRIS: Now, Goody Ann, they only thought that were a witch, and I am certain that there element of witchcraft here.
PUTNAM: No witchcraft! Now look you Mr Parris-
PARRIS: Thomas, Thomas I pray you leap not to witchcraft. I know that you – you least of all, Thomas, would ever wish so disastrous a charge laid upon me. We cannot leap to witchcraft. They will howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house.
Thomas Putnam symbolises McCarthy. Abigail Williams is also greedy and non-caring about others. Abigail seeks the love and affection of her one love John Proctor. . John Proctor is a happy man living a calm life on the outskirts of the town when a non-expected visitor arrives on his doorstep he immediately scenes danger.
