The Crucible (Penguin Classics)
 

The Crucible (Penguin Classics)

by Arthur Miller

Based on historical people and real events, Arthur Miller's play uses the destructive power of socially sanctioned violence unleashed by the rumors of witchcraft as a powerful parable about McCarthyism.

Introduction by Christopher Bigsby (read review)

Top tags: dramaclassicplayfictionliterature (all tags)

 

Member Reviews

  • dickensfan
    1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
    • Rated 5 stars

    Fascinating look at the Salem Witch Trials and the resulting paranoia. Written during the McCarthy "witch trials" of the 1950s, the play is easily applicable to modern society and the "it's us versus them" mentality.

    I have a fond memory of one student watching the film version of the play in class and becoming so incensed that he actually stood up and yelled, "They're liars!"

    dickensfan wrote this review Thursday, July 12 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • Deepa
    • Rated 5 stars

    This play pulls you back into the entirely different era of the Salem Witch Trials, bringing to life the traditions, fear, and way of life that breathed during that time period. Each and every character, true to their role, is carefully enunciated by Arthur Miller, for the reader of the play to be able to connect to them and their personality, making it easier to understand their actions. The time is precariously depicted for the readers to fully understand the fragile form of the time's mentality, at which law was only rightful if it aided the preacher's teachings of their God's view of the world, and life upon it. The faulty nature of humans and essentially their selfishness is depicted through this book. All in all, it's a must-read classic.

    Deepa wrote this review 13 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • scott d
    • Rated 2 stars

    I find myself frustrated over the ignorance of the audience of this book. It is an ok read but nothing I would ever want to read again.

    scott d wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Navem
    • Rated 4 stars

    Good read. Especially if your into the Witch trials like I am.

    Navem wrote this review Wednesday, June 25 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Trevor M
    • Rated 4 stars

    A bizzare social commentary on the Salem witch trials that forcedly parallels the Red Scare of Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s. It is something to read to better understand both of these eras, and to see how twisted human morality can be.

    Trevor M wrote this review Sunday, June 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Chrissy W
    • Rated 0 stars

    I hate when justice fails, which makes it so ironic that i loved this story. I'm just so intrigued by the history of the witch-hunts that I thought this story was SO interesting.

    Chrissy W wrote this review Sunday, June 1 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Christin
    • Rated 0 stars

    A play about the Salem Witch trials, but it can also be considered Miller's social commentary on the McCarthyism of his time.

    Christin wrote this review Friday, May 30 2008. ( reply | permalink )
Displaying 1-10 of 70 reviews
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