Why “The Crucible” is an allegory?

"The Crucible" by Arthur Miller is widely regarded as one of the most powerful examples of allegory in American literature. The play uses the events of the Salem witch trials to comment on the McCarthy-era "Red Scare" and the dangers of mass hysteria and the persecution of innocent people. Miller's depiction of the trials as a manifestation of the irrational fear and suspicion that gripped Puritan society in the 1690s can be read as a powerful commentary on the dangers of groupthink and the need for due process.

Miller's choice of allegory allows him to explore the universal themes of fear, power, and justice that are still relevant today. By using historical events as a metaphor for contemporary issues, he shows how the past can illuminate the present and help us to better understand the world around us. As Miller himself wrote, "The Crucible" is "a play about the Salem witchcraft trials in 1692 but a play also about the 1950s when the fear of communism reached hysterical proportions and the moment of truth seemed temporarily to vanish."

In conclusion, "The Crucible" is an allegory because it uses historical events as a metaphor for contemporary issues, and in doing so, it highlights the timeless nature of issues such as fear, power, and justice. Through its use of allegory, the play encourages us to reflect on our own society and to be vigilant against the dangers of mass hysteria and the persecution of innocent people.