Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible in response to a period in American history when there was widespread fear of communism. It is set in the sixteen nineties, during the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Salem was governed as a Theocracy, rule by God or a priestly order. In this time many innocent people were tried and hanged for witchcraft. A crucible is a severe trial. In the play the whole community had been thrown into pandemonium, …showed first 75 words of 1100 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1100 total…decision in his heart. Miller has effectively used his knowledge of the middle class and the ordinary person to show everyday heroes in this novel. He also effectively showed the transition a person can go through when confronted with the truth. This may contrast with their beliefs as seen in Hale’s final speech in the play, “…Woman! It is pride, it is vanity…What profit him to bleed? Shall the dust praise him…” (p145).