Overview

Responding directly to the era of U.S. politics known as McCarthyism, Arthur Miller's 1953 play The Crucible positions the Salem witch trials at the center of a narrative that seeks to dance with and around questions of justice, power, and suspicion. This compelling edition presents readers with an insight into Arthur Miller's life, work, and inspirations, with a specific eye toward his writing of The Crucible. Readers are invited to explore the theme of justice through a series of essays, from writers and figures such as Michael Moore and Andy Worthington, that present varying viewpoints on the play's subject matter and tackle ideas such as the misuse of the legal system and the relationship between religion and the courtrooms. Perspectives on modern-day issues pertaining to justice are presented for consideration, allowing readers to link the themes of the play to the issues of the present.