One national authoritative source demonstrated that American people are all living with fear and extended intimidation in their life, reflecting on the declining participation rate in public safety construction. Arthur Miller, the admirable and passionate writer, offers a convincing argument that accusation on people’s identification not only has been considered a violation of personal rights, but also has immensely destructive effects, socially, politically, and even economically. Throughout this fictionalized story, some characters accuse witchcraft of one another for their own interests such as relationship, reputation, and wealth. As the confession and executions continue, people expose their negativity on the pretext of justice. As a result of this tragedy, nineteen innocent people died of fear and hysteria of witchcraft; on the other hand, Abigail Williams, who ran away with stolen money, was not convicted and punished. The author initially builds his credibility by successfully using symbolism, perfectly employing the ethos and pathos appeals, and highly-efficient command of his compelling language. Arthur miller’s primary purpose in writing this masterpiece appears to draw attention to a severe political mistake with broad consequences, reminding people to increase their awareness to defend themselves from hysteria and fear.
Arthur Miller utilizes the presentation of symbolism and allusion within the crucible to back up his claim that excessive interrogation within ideological suspicion will create social fear and hysteria which is detrimental to the public. The introduction stated, “it was an allegory of our times that miller seized upon it, and though it was to be the McCarthyite witch-hunts of the house un-American activities committee that seemed to offer the most direct parallel.” (Miller xv) This quote indicates the implication of Miller’s crucible, making the connection between the court of Salem and McCarthyism. Furthermore, the author has participated in the interrogation, which that demonstrates he shares his credibility and experiences with the audience. On the other hand, the introduction states, “what took him to Salem was not, finally, an obsession with McCarthyism, not even a concern with a bizarre and, at the time, obscure historical incident.” (Miller xvii) In contrast between the red scare and The Crucible, tremendous similarities took place, public people punished and blandish the people with different ideologies to eliminate the fear, conversely, the consequence turned out cause more and more people’s involvement and followed by fear and hysteria. As the tragic ending goes, countless innocent people died because of the fear, which exactly reflects how people use the red scare to manipulate the public and bring the downfall to society.
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Author miller proceeds his persuasion by using the passionate diction of her subjects, describing the character’s strong emotion “pointing at the confession in Proctor”, “because it is my name because I cannot have another in my life”, “I mean to deny nothing.” (133). Miller is able to build his point on the agreement with a standard moral law, highlighting the punishment for committing adultery. Miller then immediately refocuses on a conversation between Proctor and Rebecca, “let you fear nothing! Another judgment waits for us all!” (Miller 134) as a foreshadowing of the result. this utilization of emotional appeals from two different characters conveys that people tend to make the wrong decision on judgment when they are in fearful nature which assists in logically leading Miller’s audience to the conclusion that excessive accusation indicates more severe results for society. On the other hand, the author makes the conversation extremely real and excited, “without warning or hesitation, proctor leaps at Abigail and, grabbing her by the hair, pulls to her feet. She screams in pain.” (Miller 102) The language is straightforward and definitely understandable to the audiences, and it emphasizes the claim that innocence died for fear. Therefore, as people get accused and punished heavily, chaos erupts in society and left people in a fearful and intimidating atmosphere. There is some consequence to the red scare, for they both significantly lead to social coup and revolution, which leads to the loss of more lives.
Finally, the author subtly strengthens his central claim by illustrating emotional and ethical appeals with respect to society and politics, solidifying its persuasiveness on the purpose. Reverend Parris defends his niece Abby against the accusation of witchcraft, to keep Parris’s reputation and fame, rather than justice and glory. On the other hand, someone like Thomas Putnam encourages the accusation of the speculation of more land and treasure. Thus, everyone has their purpose, not standing on their faith and justice. the author portrays Putnam and Paris’s behavior, contrasting them with moral law to frame a critical choice between justice and injustice. This phenomenon mainly reflects McCarthyism in the present time, which accusation of being a participant during red. This information not only reinforces the Author’s credible command of the issue but also establishes the magnitude of the political problem. Upon the analysis, the author has successfully finished his persuasion by using ethos and pathos appeals.
Overall, The Crucible represents the Salem witch trials, and also serves as an allegory of McCarthyism, revealing that fear and hysteria definitely make the downfall of society. Meanwhile, Arthur miller uses enough rhetorical devices, reasoning, and careful diction to not only make readers take a stance on freedom of belief, but also provoke audiences to take action on what seemingly considers an epidemic that is truly detrimental to the nation.
Work cited page
- Miller, Arthur, the crucible penguin books, 2003.
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