The word 'crucible' is used by Arthur Miller in his play as a metaphor. The first definition of the word crucible is: a melting pot especially for metals. In the play this is first acknowledged during the first act, as we gradually piece together the information concerning the girls dancing. The 'kettle' viewed by Reverend Parris mirrors a crucible. We are told that the girls had made a brew which contained a little frog and blood is therefore viewed by the characters involved as a potent, fearsome mixture and this signifies the beginning of the Salem tragedy. It seems that from this 'brew' a more sinister force is released. The dancing and the contents of the little pot seem to fuel the rumours, lies and tragedy of Salem. From this point onwards, lies which in turn arouse suspicion ending ultimately in the destruction of the Salem community. Even in the next part of the play we observe Tituba create and elaborate lies which is the first we see of the evil which is unleashed by the witch hunt. There was very little privacy in Salem mainly because the fact that it was a theocracy and crimes were an offence not only against God but also against the community. Therefore there was

pressure for neighbours to reveal other's sin. The desire for privacy makes one suspect others because if they do not convict others it looks as if they themselves might have something to hide. It is ironic that Reverend Parris says that the witchcraft investigation might reveal the source of all the community's problems 'Why, Rebecca, we may open up the boil of all our troubles today' because in the end the witchcraft investigation provokes the burning down and destruction of the community.

The etymology of the word crucible also has direct connotations with the play. The word is devrived from the Latin Crucibulum, with the first part of the Latin being similar to the Latin word Crux (a cross). This is linked to the play in several ways. Firstly, the play is written around the story of a good hardworking man, John Proctor whom however is a sinner. The play is concerned with the changes taking place in his life leading to his decision to hang, his vicissitude. He does not want to save himself by sullying the good names of others. The events of the play are really the crossroads of his life in the way that he must either between saving his life, with lies or dying for what he really believes in and finding his truth. He finds this very difficult and says to his wife towards the end of the play 'Let Rebecca go like a saint, for me it is a fraud'. He feels because he is already a sinner he will go to hell and should not be idolised by the people who believe in his cause. The play is about him finding his goodness and choosing the right path to follow despite temptations. He realises by the end of the play that he has chosen right for he says 'I can. And there's your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from the dogs'. Secondly the Latin word Crux also has connotations with crucifixion. John is crucified, not in the way that dies on a cross but in the way that he is hung for what he believes in.

The play however although actually concerned with the Salem witchcraft trials was infact aimed at the then widespread anti- red paranoia and the congressional investigation of the subversive activities in the United States led by the power craving Senator Joseph McCarthy. The play is not purely a parable of human nature the events are used as an allegory for what was happening in the 1950's America. Both societies were afraid of what was their own naivety and believed there was a constant force trying to rip them apart. They found scapegoats on which to blame their own insecurity on, the devil in Salem and Communists in 1950's America. Arthur Miller uses his play to explain the behaviour of the Salem community and to make a moral stance on what he saw as mindless persecution. Many lives and careers were ruined by the McCarthyite trials. The people summoned before the House of Anti American activities were only required to betray others by naming names as in The Crucible. Those who did not were blacklisted. The title The Crucible is therefore relevant to the McCarthyism. In 1956 Arthur Miller was tried before the house. He refused to name others who had been at particular communist meetings years before and was convicted of contempt. The trials were a severe test or trial for him. Like John Proctor he had not looked to be tested but felt very strongly about only taking responsibly directly for hi

Some common words found in the essay are:
John Proctor, Reverend Parris, Proctor Act, Arthur Miller, Elizabeth Proctor, Elizabeth Act, Proctor Miller, Secondly Latin, Joseph McCarthy, John Act, john proctor, word crucible, melting pot, test trial, arthur miller, court scenes, severe test trial, salem community, severe test, crucible melting pot, relationship john, linked play, save sullying names, arthur miller play, pot especially metals,
Approximate Word count = 2352
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)