The McCarthy Era began during the Cold War, a time that led to widespread paranoia and suspicion of the communist population (also known as the Red Scare). This resulted in a fear of the spread of communism in the United States. Senator Joseph McCarthy set up “witch hunts” in search of people who practiced communism. The people who were accused were given the option of refusing to testify, which would result in them being blacklisted; subsequently causing their careers to suffer. The other option was admitting to McCarthy and the House of Un-American Activities Committee and providing names of other communists. Similarly, in The Crucible, widespread paranoia and suspicion cause many innocent people to be unjustly persecuted. This begins with
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Many people can link Abigail Williams and McCarthy to each other by observing their behavioral traits and motives. Abigail Williams and McCarthy are excessively manipulative, deceitful, and prone to lying. In The Crucible, Williams expertly lies about almost everything she says and is efficient at keeping her many secrets (and persuading others to do so as …show more content…
Miller ties in that the McCarthy Era was very much alike to back when the Salem Witch Trials took place. Both of these events caused mass hysteria and an extremity of accusations for the people of Salem, Massachusetts and America. During the McCarthy Era, McCarthy and the HUAC accused many people of being communists, causing the loss of jobs and harsher punishments, even though they were innocent. When there was an increase of anti-communism, McCarthy triggered sentiment throughout America. This created the Red Scare in which McCarthyism exploded, leading to the loss of many jobs, and many more being blacklisted. McCarthy’s claims caused tension and mistrust in America, comparable to when Abigail and the girls’ claims back in Salem caused increased hostility and accusations in the village. The center of the novel revolves around false accusations, paranoia, and power seeking individuals (as did the McCarthy Era). In the conclusion, it appeared that McCarthy was as delusional as were the girls; with both sets of them making unsubstantiated claims regarding the existence of evil with no proof
Many people can link Abigail Williams and McCarthy to each other by observing their behavioral traits and motives. Abigail Williams and McCarthy are excessively manipulative, deceitful, and prone to lying. In The Crucible, Williams expertly lies about almost everything she says and is efficient at keeping her many secrets (and persuading others to do so as …show more content…
Miller ties in that the McCarthy Era was very much alike to back when the Salem Witch Trials took place. Both of these events caused mass hysteria and an extremity of accusations for the people of Salem, Massachusetts and America. During the McCarthy Era, McCarthy and the HUAC accused many people of being communists, causing the loss of jobs and harsher punishments, even though they were innocent. When there was an increase of anti-communism, McCarthy triggered sentiment throughout America. This created the Red Scare in which McCarthyism exploded, leading to the loss of many jobs, and many more being blacklisted. McCarthy’s claims caused tension and mistrust in America, comparable to when Abigail and the girls’ claims back in Salem caused increased hostility and accusations in the village. The center of the novel revolves around false accusations, paranoia, and power seeking individuals (as did the McCarthy Era). In the conclusion, it appeared that McCarthy was as delusional as were the girls; with both sets of them making unsubstantiated claims regarding the existence of evil with no proof