Abuse Of Power In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

Keira Hine

Mr. Christensen

English III

01 May 2023

Throughout history, humans have always used the supernatural to explain things they could not understand: The seasons were explained by the corruption of Persephone, famine and plague by sin, and misfortune and success with karma. Just as these ideas were used to make sense of the world, they were also used to fearmonger groups of people and give power to a select few. These few elites will often do anything to maintain their power including destroying those in their communities. Arthur Miller uses The Crucible as an instrument to expose humanity's tendency to prosecute those who threaten the ones in powers narrative.

Arthur Miller inserts his beliefs that the elite abuse their status as leaders

This group is known today for stepping its boundaries with who it accused and using its power to take down potential opponents of their agenda. I see this behavior translate even into today with, “cancel culture”. Just as today Twitter and in the 1950s HUAC would do, the Judges in Salem made unjustified decisions about situations without knowing all of the nuances of it. These characters also display how these committees are full of unqualified people who wrongfully pass judgment.“This is a strange time, Mister. No man may longer doubt the powers of the dark are gathered in monstrous attack upon this village. There is too much evidence now to deny it. You will agree, sir?” (Miller A1, pg. 64). This quote by Hale displays how

For the Puritans in Salem it was through religion and punishment, for people in the sixties it was the cold war and the red scare, and for us today it is for-profit news. Those in power use fear to maintain control of the masses and get them to do what they want. They use threats of dishonor, and loss of property and instill thoughts that your neighbors are trying to control you or take your livelihood away for themselves. For example, In Act 2 Reverend Hale says, “Nurse, though our hearts break, we cannot flinch; these are new times, sir. There is a misty plot afoot so subtle we should be criminal to cling to old respects and ancient friendships. I have seen too many frightful proofs in court - the Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!” This statement displays how fear has taken control of all sense left in the community, and how this has even led to the persecution and mistrust of established community members. “… And I bid you all do likewise. In an ordinary crime, how does one defend the accused? One calls up witnesses to prove his innocence. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not?...” (Miller Act 3, p.100). Again an example of how fear and control have led this community to unjustly try and convict people they see as