Read this Knowledge Article about the common themes in The Crucible alluding to the Salem witch trials and the McCarthy hearings and their connection to the events in the play. Then, select any theme from the play and write two to three paragraphs analyzing how the theme is developed through the text.
Answer (1)
The theme of hysteria in The Crucible reveals how fear and suspicion can lead to irrational behavior and societal breakdown. Arthur Miller uses the characters' responses to the Salem witch trials to show the dangers of mass hysteria, paralleling the events of the McCarthy hearings. Ultimately, the play serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of allowing fear to override reason. ;
