Hysteria And Insanity In Arthur Miller's The Crucible

The Crucible is a story of when the town of Salem, Massachusetts became dominated by hysteria and foolishness during the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Influenced by the McCarthy Era, when many people (including Miller himself) were accused of being communists, Arthur Miller accurately depicts the widespread insanity of the accusations and the trials themselves in his play by using stylistic elements such as stage directions; imitative, period dialect; and allusions. Miller starts each of his acts with a narration in parenthesis and in italics. First he gives the general setting of the scene. Next, in a new paragraph, (still in parenthesis and italics) he gives more specific details about the environment. Lastly, also in a new paragraph,

Then he gives more details: “(As the curtain rises, the room is empty, but for sunlight pouring through two high window in the back wall…)” (Miller 87). Finally he reveals the details about the characters: “(Through the partitioning wall at the right we hear a prosecutor’s voice…)” (Miller 87). In his language, Miller authentically imitates the dialect of the 17th century by using the respective vocabulary and speaking structure. For example, “now tell me true, Abigail. And I pray you feel the weight of truth upon you…Whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there” (Miller 11). Miller also uses allusions as a way to convey the actions and the consequences of certain characters: “Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash your hands of this!” (Miller 82). This allusion voices Hales blame for the accusations and executions of many people in

Months after John Proctors death, the Government realizes their mistake in condemning innocent people in Salem of witchcraft. Danforth, Hale, and Herrick meet Elizabeth at her cell to release her. I attempt to replicate Miller’s style by formatting my introduction the same he formats his. “(In Salem’s jailhouse.)… (At the back is a high barred window; near it, a great, heavy door. Along the walls are two benches)… (Herrick’s keys rattle and the door swings open and Danforth, hale, and Herrick enter.)” This introduction, in tandem with the use of 17th century vocabulary and dialect in ways such as “I know not how I might ever express my ample sorrow” and “not the least bit have I made up for my iniquities, but I deem this a start” accurately copies Miller’s linguistic style. My scene alludes to the myth of Pandora’s box, “I have returned in my efforts to make amends for opening Pandora’s box and releasing Hell unto the people of Salem.” This allusion is used in the same way Miller used his: to represent the consequences of Hale’s