Letter to McCarthy

7324 Springs Ct

Las Vegas, Nevada 59201

March 29, 2016

5556 Shepard St

Green Bay, Wisconsin 76462

Dear Senator Joseph McCarthy:

(Thesis) Do you feel that Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible" is an effective representation of the problems in 1940's and 1950's America? "The Crucible" is based on Communist witch-hunts in Salem, which tie to the problems of America in the 1940's and 1950's because alleged Communists were being prosecuted.

(Ethos) World renowned author Arthur Miller agrees with my opinion. Miller states "It would probably never have occurred to me to write a play about the Salem witch trials of 1692 had I not seen some astonishing correspondences with that calamity in the America of the late 40's and early 50's"(Steinbach.) Miller's purpose of writing "The Crucible" was to respond to the Red Scare. The Red Scare was a time of general fear of communism. Socialists believe everyone should be in charge of their own assets. Communists believe assets should be owned by the government and dispersed evenly to everyone. In the play, Abigail Williams, a demagogue, and a few other girls were caught dancing and conjuring in the woods. To save themselves from being blacklisted or even hanged, the girls took part in a mob mentality, incriminating innocent civilians of witchcraft. When the town found out about this encounter, they began to worry about the potential presence of the devil's presence. They became hysterical, believing that since the Devil had taken over such good people of the town, they might be next. This symbolizes Socialists' fear of Communism.

(Logos) In the late 1940's, the fear of communism intensified. The House Committee on Un-American Activities was also involved in the Red Scare. At one point they investigated Hollywood, accusing executives, screenwriters, and directors of being communists. The House Committee on Un-American Activities wanted Americans to portray the Soviets as the bad guys in movies and other televised entertainment. People who were rumored to be a part of the American Communist Party were blacklisted and unable to be hired for jobs during this time.

(Pathos) In my opinion, I believe this play was an excellent representation of the 1940'S and 1950'S problems of America because the town symbolized the Socialists, and the girls who were attempting to conjure the devil symbolize the Communists. As for this situation at the time in America, I do not agree with the fact that people were accused of being communists or participating with communists without proof of such acts. Just as I do not agree with the overall message of the play. I think everyone accused of witchcraft should have had a chance to prove their case, whether they had or had not participated in the conjuring. Innocent people should not have to be executed from the accusations of others.

In conclusion, "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller is an effective representation of the 1940's and 1950's problems in America solely based on the facts that both are based around the fear of negative events taking place.

Sincerely, Payton Griffin

Works Cited

"The Cold War." For Kids: Red Scare. Web. 16 May 2016.

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts. New York: Viking, 1953. Print.

"WHY I WROTE "THE CRUCIBLE" - The New Yorker." The New Yorker. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

"Why Did Arthur Miller Write The Crucible? | ENotes." Enotes.com. Enotes.com. Web. 01 Apr. 2016.

"Miller." Miller. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.