The Crucible is a play authored by Arthur Miller. It depicts a witch hunt that ensues judicial proceedings. This play is antique but still manages to find itself in American theatres.
Even some films have been created with the same storyline. Some modern movies have the baseline script of Arthur Miller’s theatrical play. Some college students know The Crucible very well. It is because they have to write research papers or assignments about it. Why does The Crucible seem so relevant and popular in American culture?
Origin of The Crucible
Origins of The Crucible can be traced back to the 1600s. Towards the end of 1692, there were Salem trials looking into witchcraft accusations. People suspected people of witchcraft, causing mass hysteria and civil unrest. Some of the accused were prosecuted after a hearing. Unfortunately, some of the accused got an execution judgment by hanging.
The basis of these accusations was not warranted. Some were based on family feuds, church politics, and hysteria caused by children. More than 200 people were accused. They were brought before a judge and jury, resulting in approximately 19 or 20 executions. Arthur Miller used the events that transpired in this era to write a captivating theme about morality and misinformation.
Read Essays About The Crucible
Some college lecturers, especially in English literature, might require students to write research papers or assignments about The Crucible. These assignments could need students to compare the play with American culture today. In this case, students can get well-written “The Crucible” essays on GradesFixer. Students can start reading the essay they got from the online service. From then, they can understand this play even further. Professional writers understand why The Crucible became so important in American culture. Their expertise can help improve your education in history. While your assignment is being handled by a professional, you can try to focus on other important school tasks.
Effects of misinformation
Amongst other important lessons, The Crucible highlights the effects of misinformation. Back during the Salem witch trials, some accusations were backed by hysterical children. Children were in shock at this purported wave of witches and became hysterical. At the same time, religious politics contributed to spreading misinformation. Unfortunately, since this came from a highly-regarded source, people blindly trusted the information.
The results were catastrophic. They led to executions due to sentences issued on circumstantial evidence. Misinformation still plays a huge role in societal and political issues. This could also be the reason why The Crucible is so popular in American culture. The Crucible brings the risk of misinformation to life. This could help prevent this harmful behavior in today’s American culture. Whether you are studying ancient Greek culture or American history, using the right information is crucial.
Downsides of easily accessible media
Back in 1692, there was no established media infrastructure that is available nowadays. For a message to be spread far and wide, it had to be through word of mouth or sending letters. Spreading misinformation about witchcraft in Salem was mainly accomplished through word of mouth. As history reflects on these events, modern American citizens can realize how much more damage digital media can do.
If word of mouth managed to spread fear across Salem, spreading misinformation and hysteria nowadays can have an even greater effect. Over the past few years, you might have realized how social media has stirred up civil unrest and violent protests. Unfortunately, some of the protests and civil unrest have been due to misinformation spread through digital media.
Awareness on prejudices
Some of the accusations and hysteria originated from preconceived prejudices. The hysterical children might have screamed due to stereotypes. These stereotypes could have been learned from churches and parents. Prejudices led to accusations of 200 people and the execution of some.
Nowadays, prejudices also contribute to the murders of innocent people. Transphobia, Islamophobia, and other prejudices have created mass hysteria. It has led to innocent murders or convictions. The Crucible raises awareness about this, and students can write their papers about it. Contemplating how prejudices can lead to larger societal problems can help prevent violence. This lesson is clear since Salem’s executions emanated from stereotypes.
The bottom line
The Crucible has a lot of hidden lessons that the American culture can endeavor to comprehend and implement. For example, some prejudices could lead to violence and civil unrest, especially since this has recently happened. Additionally, digital media can contribute to widespread hysteria based on false news. These harmful behaviors are similar to what happened in Salem back in 1692. The lessons from Arthur Miller’s work of art are the reason why this play is so popular, especially in American colleges and universities.
Author’s Bio
James Collins spins words into such beautiful blogs and academic essays that his clients keep coming back to him for more. He has established himself as a reliable name in the writing industry in a quick time. He’s currently writing a book on the role of AI in improving school-level education.
