The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Play. Classic. Witches. Accusations. Religion.

Re-read; read while listening to the audiobook at the same time.

Rating: 4/5

Pages: 143

Started: 9 October 2023

Finished: 9 October 2023

Summary:

    After several girls in Salem, Massachusetts, are caught dancing naked in the woods in the middle of the night, accusations of witchcraft spread, until nearly everyone in Salem must accuse others or else be hanged. In his brilliant play allegorically commenting on McCarthyism, Arthur Miller demonstrates just how easily people can get stuck in the trap of blame for selfish reasons. 

Thoughts:

    Plays are meant to be heard, and listening to this one at the same time as reading the text was incredible. It was so cool to hear how the dialogue fit together, and reminded me just how brilliant the play is. The characters are interesting, and the situation they get into is impressively frustrating. The narrator's interjections into the play are quite weird, but the scene in Act 3 in the courthouse is so impressive, so well-paced and emotional and dynamic, that it's more than made up for. I am very excited to continue my research on this play. 

The Motivations--Ella's Breakdown: 

- Abigail: control, to save her own skin, to get Goody Proctor killed so she herself can marry John Proctor 

- Reverend Parris: to prove that he is as competent as Reverend Hale, so his position in Salem is secure, and perhaps to increase his salary

- Mr. Putnam: so the dead people will lose their land, and he can buy it, and get more rich

- Judge Danforth: because he likes power?