Write a paragraph explaining the connection between the McCarthy era and the play. Be concise and prioritise your ideas. Think and plan before you write! Post to your blog before Monday's lesson.
It is evident that the play the Crucible has distinct connections to the McCarthy area, in terms of those involved, as well as themes and ideas presented. Both the play and the event relate in the way that innocent people were blamed and punished for something so unnecessary, and that the problem that fired the situation was not detected early enough before it sprang into anarchy. In the two situations, people were persecuted, their lives ruined, for accusations that supplied no real evidence what-so-ever. In the Crucible, after being caught drinking blood, cursing and dancing in the woods, Abigail Williams sparked the idea that evil spirits were in their presence, gathering a number of girls to help her initiate this idea and convince people that she was just an innocent victim. The group created rumours and false accusations that led to the ordeal of many. The same thing happened in the McCarthy era, the HUAC accused the Hollywood Ten consisting of some very talented actors, writers, authors and others involved in the entertainment industry as portraying communist messages in their material. They suspected communism amongst innocent people, without realising they no evidence or right to comment on other peoples beliefs or religion, let alone punish them for it. The accusing girls represent the HUAC in this situation, and the Hollywood Ten are simply those who refuse to confess something they are not guilty of. Still, wrongly they were punished by being imprisoned, and some having their careers totally destroyed. Same happened in the Crucible, although the punishment was a little more extreme and resulted in many being hung. Arthur Miller has very subtly based the themes and those involved in the matter throughout his play with the McCarthy Era, both very difficult and confusing times.
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