bogsi

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is the story of the Salem witch trials, of a community seized by innuendo and distrust. In Salem, a person’s reputation means everything—for if one is accused of witchcraft, the penalties are severe. The Crucible is often read and enjoyed by young adults, who are drawn to its powerful dialogue. Young adults often live in a world where whispers and rumors reign supreme, where what people are saying about them can feel like the most important thing in the world. Too, many of the characters in The Crucible are young adults; the town is whipped into a fury by the accusations of a gaggle of teenage girls and people are sentenced to death on their word alone. In The Crucible, the young women are running the show—while teens may not approve of their actions, they may admire their power. Peer pressure also makes an appearance in the Crucible. When Mary Warren recants her testimony, the group publicly pressures her back into the fold, with the onlooking adults none the wiser. Teens may sympathize with Mary, who tries to do the right thing but ultimately caves to the pressure. The Crucible is a fixture in English classrooms; it serves as an allegory to the McCarthyism of the 1950s. Teens may enjoy reading the play as an adjunct to a lesson about the Communist scare—itself a witch hunt.

2022-11-14 16:47