Literature Page

Author: Arthur Miller

Age: High school and up.

Genre: Historical drama.

Topics for Discussion: hypocracy, theocracy, guilt, Puritanism, McCarthy hearings

Summary: When the young women of the village are discovered dancing in the forest one night, two of them "mysteriously" take sick. Accusations of witchcraft quickly begin to fly (pun intended), and before long, townspeople are using the excuse of feared witchcraft to exact revenge on their neighbors. In the midst of this John Proctor must deal with his own guilt and hypocracy in order to expose the accusers as frauds.

Book Review: While the play takes a critical look at the role of religion in society, I've always been struck by the very humanity of the characters. Miller correctly identifies many of the Puritan values that have been passed down to contemporary Americans, thus we can all relate to the overwhelming drive for vengance among the people of Salem as well as John Proctor's very poinant struggle with his own guilt and his inability to forgive himself even when others have. Add to that Elizabeth's insecurities with her statement, "I counted myself so plain, so poorly made, no honest love could come to me! Suspicion kissed you when I did; I never knew how I should say my love."

Miller does take some liberties with history in order to get his point across, but in this case, I think the skill with which he has crafted the play completely make up for the potential deficit.

Multimedia: Nicholas Hytner directed a film in 1996 based on a screenplay that Miller adapted himself.

Christian Perspectives: Obviously, the play has the potential to be controvercial in Christian circles. It does deal with the perceived witchcraft at the time, and even though there is no "real" witchcraft portrayed (other than the equivalent of supersticious games that are played at slumber parties today), the townspeople show rather less than Christian virtue and brotherly love.

Despite these negative aspects, the play is valuable in both its historical contexts, as depicting the events of the Salem Witch Trials and as an indirect commentary on the McCarthy hearings.