Allegory in The Crucible

1. Allegory in The Crucible Murphy, Vaught, Jacob, Coy

2. Allegorical • A narrative, either in verse or prose, in which characters, action, and sometimes setting represents abstract concepts apart from the literal meaning of a story. The underlying meaning usually has moral, social, religious, or political significances; and the characters are often personifications of abstract ideas such as charity, hope, greed, etc. • In short: • When one uses a certain topic to describe something completely different.

3. The Crucible In the Play: In the 1950’s: In reference to the Cold War/McCarthyism Miller wanted to write about the Cold War, but couldn’t because he would be accused of Communism. • About the Salem witch trials/persecution of innocent people. • Those who knew the truth about what was happening couldn’t speak out, for fear of being accused.

4. Abigail / “Circle Girls” In the Play: In the 1950’s: McCarthy would accuse people of being Communists. McCarthy would claim that he had a list of all the people that were “supposed” Communists. When he was accused of lying he would accuse more people. • Were the “victims” of witchcraft (accused people). • When they were pressed for reasons they would simply accuse those who accused them. • The girls claimed to have seen the accused “witches” of doing witchcraft or being with the Devil.

5. John Proctor In the Play: In the 1950’s: There was a group of 6 senators that spoke out against McCarthy when he was out naming Communists. They were lead by Margaret Chase Smith who was embarrassed by the Senate’s actions. • John was often the “voice of reason” in the play. • He said that the girls were lying and spoke out against the court and the trials.

6. Parris In the Play: In the 1950’s: McCarthy accused people of communism to keep/increase his political power. Used the (imaginary) “list” to silence people who would go against him and his political party. • Pushes for witchcraft for his own benefit. • Used the fear of witchcraft to control the public.

7. Rebecca Nurse In the Play: In the 1950’s: Tony Kahn’s father was named a Communist and was blacklisted from Hollywood. People starting hating little Tony because of his father even though he had done nothing and didn’t even know what Communism was at the time. • Rebecca was convicted of witchcraft and was eventually killed. • Of all the accusations of innocent people, hers was the most shocking.

8. Parris In the Play: In the 1950’s: McCarthy accused people of communism to keep/increase his political power. Used the (imaginary) “list” to silence people who would go against him and his political party. • Pushes for witchcraft for his own benefit. • Used the fear of witchcraft to control the public.

9. The Court In the Play: In the 1950’s: The court encouraged girls and just went along with everything and supported them. The court killed many innocent people for no reason at all. Didn’t do anything about it even though some of the court knew it was wrong. The government supported McCarthyism and didn’t really do anything about what was happening. Punished many innocent people for their “wrong” beliefs. Didn’t care even though they knew everyone can have their own opinions.

10. MLA Formatted Sites • Miller, James E., Wood, Kerry M., and Dwyer, Carlota Cárdenas de. The United States in Literature. Glenview, Illinois: Scott, Foresman, 1991. • http://nicolen.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/a-histoy-of-rope/