Analysis of Key Similarities Between Mccarthyism and The Crucible

Introduction

During the 1950s, Americans feared the concept of Communism, a system where the government has complete control over the economy. America was built on Democracy and free enterprise, while the Soviet Union based its governance on Communism. After World War II, China had its own civil war and eventually fell to the Communist Party. This era is often referred to as the "Red Scare." People feared that U.S. citizens were secretly part of the Communist Party, leading to widespread suspicion of neighbors, politicians, celebrities, and others. Due to the growing fear, The House of Representatives Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) began investigations. During this time, Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy, a power-hungry politician, sought an issue to make himself famous and found the perfect topic. On February 9, 1950, McCarthy made a list of 205 names who were "communist," providing him with the platform he desired. He became the Chairman of the Senate Committee and instigated investigations. Celebrities were often targeted and blacklisted if they were associated with communism. This period became known as "McCarthyism." It was around this time when playwright Arthur Miller wrote his play, The Crucible, in 1953. The play depicts Salem residents accused of witchcraft, with some denying the accusation and others confessing. Nevertheless, many were hanged and shunned from the rest of the town. The parallels between these two moments in history are quite apparent. The hysteria, the blaming, and the sacrifice that took over both situations are key factors in understanding why McCarthyism and The Crucible are similar.

Hysteria and Accusations

In the summer of 1949, the Soviets expanded their control over most of Eastern Europe, and China was on the verge of becoming a communist nation. This led to widespread hysteria in the United States. Political cartoonist Herblock created a cartoon called "Fire," which represents a man symbolizing "hysteria" pouring water onto the torch held by the Statue of Liberty. The torch symbolizes the freedom for immigrants entering the United States and reminds Americans of their freedom. When the torch is extinguished, it symbolizes the elimination of freedom and power. Hysteria led many Americans to accuse their neighbors or celebrities, much like in The Crucible, where Abigail is accused of "talking to a bird" that has taken the shape of Mary Lewis. The tables turn against Abigail in Act III when Mary Warren begins to testify against her. On page 114, Abigail starts to point and yell towards a beam, and everyone follows her direction. Judge Danforth asks, "What is it, child?...What’s there?... She is transfixed... Girls! Why do you - ?". The group of girls turns against Mary Warren, mimicking everything she says or does. As Miller's stage direction on page 115 notes, "Abigail, now staring full front as though hypnotized, and mimicking the exact tone of Mary Warren’s cry. Mary Warren, pleading: 'Abby, you mustn’t!' Abigail and all the girls, all transfixed: 'Abby, you mustn’t!'" With the young girls joining Abigail's act, Mary Warren loses her power due to the girls' hysterical actions.

Betrayal and Self-Preservation

Elia Kazan, one of Hollywood's famous directors, is known for movies such as On The Waterfront and A Streetcar Named Desire. In the years 1934-1936, Kazan was a member of the Communist Party. Sixteen years later, he was called by the HUAC to testify under oath. Initially, he refused to "name names" on January 14, 1952, but returned three months later, stating, "the American people needed the facts … and aspects of Communism in order to deal with it wisely and effectively." This change of heart was likely due to the blacklisting of those who refused to cooperate with the HUAC. When Kazan returned, he named many people from his former Group Theatre, most of whom were already known to the HUAC, except Arthur Miller. Miller and Kazan were good friends until Kazan named Miller. In The Crucible, Reverend Hale begs Tituba to "give all their witches' names." Fearing exposure, Abigail interrupts by confessing, "I want to open myself! I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the devil; I saw him; I wrote in his book… I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!" Betty then wakes up and also accuses others of being with the Devil. Everyone sees Abigail as a brave young girl who broke the curse. Both Kazan and Abigail blamed others for their actions to save themselves and their reputations.

Resistance and Sacrifice

Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein, one of the world's most renowned physicists, is remembered for his role in creating the atomic bomb during World War II. In 1953, a New York school teacher asked Einstein about his opposition to the Congressional investigations. Einstein's response was simple: "Every intellectual who is called before one of the committees ought to refuse to testify. He must be prepared for jail and economic ruin, in short, for the sacrifice of his personal welfare in the interest of the cultural welfare of his country… those who do not deserve nothing better than the slavery which is intended for them." He urged those who refused to testify to be prepared for the consequences, asserting that sacrificing their careers was worth preserving their country's cultural integrity. In Act IV of The Crucible, John Proctor and Elizabeth discuss their neighbor Giles Corey, who was condemned for not naming "suspected witches." Elizabeth says, "He would not answer aye or nay to his indictment; for if he denied the charge they’d hang him surely, and auction out his property. So he stood mute, and died a Christian under the law. His sons will have his farm. It is the law, for he could not be condemned a wizard without the indict, aye or nay." Giles resisted the court because he knew that admitting or denying the accusation would result in the loss of his land. So he stayed mute, only saying the words, "More weight." He sacrificed his life to ensure his children would inherit his property.

Conclusion

In the end, The Crucible and McCarthyism share many similarities. During both periods, people became hysterical, blamed others for their actions, or snitched, and many sacrificed their lives or careers. Some may argue that these two moments in history are not similar, but there is concrete evidence to suggest otherwise.

References

1. Herblock, (1949). "Fire" [Cartoon]. Retrieved from [URL]
2. Miller, A. (1953). The Crucible. [Play].
3. Kazan, E. (1952). Testimony before the HUAC. Retrieved from [URL]
4. Einstein, A. (1953). Letter to a New York School Teacher. Retrieved from [URL]
5. Proctor, J., & Elizabeth. (1953). The Crucible, Act IV. [Dialogue].