The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Shivani | Biotechnology High School, Grade 9

Rating: ****

In seventeenth-century Salem, Massachusetts, when a seemingly innocent girl named Abigail Williams accuses Elizabeth Proctor, a well-respected member of the community, of being a witch, church leaders and townspeople, driven by their own personal interests, insist that she and many others are brought to trial. Arthur Miller's classic play, The Crucible, takes us back to the time of witch hunts and trials and dives deep into a community blinded by hysteria. This drama depicts how lies can influence the fear, mob mentality, and selfish urges in our minds.

This book is especially powerful because it was written in 1952 because it is actually a symbolic way of portraying the anti-communist hysteria brought on in the McCarthy era. As I read the book, I noticed more and more parallels between the play and this period of history. If you are to read this book, I suggest reading up on this as well if you are interested. This book is completely unforgettable and at the end of the final act, my jaw was on the floor!