Witches or Communists? by Alexia

Witches or Communists? by Alexia - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

Before graduating from high school, I believe that everyone should have read "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller. This book not only entertains, but causes you to question yourself and your motives. While some may see this book as controversial, its benefits should still prompt a reading of it.

The book begins in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. This is where the now famous witch trials happened, which take place in this book. It tells of how people turned on their neighbors in order to save themselves. They no longer cared about what was right or wrong, having been caught up in the hysteria. Many people unjustly died due to this, and "The Crucible" speaks to that.

Arthur Miller wrote this book at the height of the Red Scare. This was when America was afraid that Communists were infiltrating the government. They became hysterical, just as the people of Salem did, and began accusing innocent people. This lead to the alienation of certain individuals from society, and a committee forming. This committee accused anyone who would not speak to them, of being a communist. Most questioned were in the entertainment industry, and therefore blacklisted after refusing.

As you read through the book you will realize who was truly guilty of what, and what people will do to save themselves. At the point of hysteria which they reach, you may even find yourself arguing with not only others, but yourself, over what actually happened back then. Miller spins such a convincing web, they you may even forget that this is a work of fiction.

This book and the arguments that spurred from it, are what I remember most of a year of that blurred by. I highly suggest that anyone who has not read it, should. I also suggest that you jog your memory of history classes later, in order to remember the real truth, and what we know about what actually happened. You may find yourself doubting history.