Why is the crucible called the Crucible?
The Crucible is a 1950s play about the Salem Witch Trials by Arthur Miller. Miller intended “The Crucible” as an allegory to McCarthyism. The events that took place during the time the play was written were very similar to the Salem witch hunts. This is why Miller named the book “The crucible” after the salem trials.
What does the word crucible mean in the play?
One definition of a crucible is a vessel, often ceramic or porcelain, used for melting down and purifying metal. Clearly, both definitions apply to the title of the play. The Salem witch trials end up being a crucible, that is, a time of great testing and purifying, for the townspeople.
Why was the crucible banned?
The Crucible was often banned in the 1950s because the play is an allegorical criticism of the US government’s actions during McCarthyism. At the time, it was accused of being pro-communist and subverting traditional American values.
Is the crucible hard to read?
The Crucible is a very well written book. It is written in the form of a play, and its language has a seventeenth century style. The vocabulary is advanced enough for English III students, and the level of difficulty is just right.
Is the crucible scary?
An chilling, suspenseful story, but age rating depends on religious views. Some parents may not want their kids to read about this topic at younger age because it could be scary, while others may not appreciate the religious views and concepts supported.
Is the crucible an allegory?
In using the 1692 setting of the Salem witch trials to warn audiences about the dangers of present-day McCarthyism, The Crucible also functions as an allegory. An allegory is a story in which characters or images represent specific ideas.
How is the play The Crucible an example of an allegory?
A Modern-Day Witch Hunt Accused of communism by a government committee led by Republican Senator Joseph P. McCarthy, playwright Arthur Miller fired back with The Crucible. This play is an allegory, or metaphor, that compares McCarthyism to the Salem witch trials.
How does the text the crucible act as an allegory for McCarthyism?
Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” is an allegory for McCarthyism during the red scare due to the near parallel events that confide in the plot and history such the accused confessing to a crime they did not commit to save their life, people rising to power by taking advantage of others, anda accusations having merit with …
What is the best definition of allegory?
The best definition of “allegory” is a character or story element that represents people or abstract qualities, in addition to the literal meaning. An allegory is a figure of speech in which the characters, events or figures are described with abstract ideas and principles.
How do you explain allegory?
1 : the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence a writer known for his use of allegory also : an instance (as in a story or painting) of such expression The poem is an allegory of love and jealousy. 2 : a symbolic representation : emblem sense 2.