REVENGE IN ARTHUR MILLER'S THE CRUCIBLE

Authors often have underlying reasons for giving their stories certain themes or settings. Arthur Miller's masterpiece, The Crucible, is a work of art inspired by actual events as a response to political and moral issues. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, The Crucible proves to have its roots in events of the 1950's and 1960's . Though the play provides an accurate account of the Salem witch trials, its real achievement lies in the many important issues of Miller's time that it deals with. Throughout The Crucible, Miller is concerned with revenge, alongside with conscience and guilt. Through the character Abigail Williams, he shows how people are willing to abandon their firmly-established values in order to conform with the majority and protect themselves. Those who refuse to part with their conscience, such as the character of John Proctor, are chastised for it. For this reason, the Salem witch trials raise a question of the administration of justice. Though Arthur Miller creates parallels between controversies that occurred in very different times, it is the great universal significance of The Crucible that makes it successful. Miller's concern with revenge, guilt, the loss of morality, lack of genuine justice and the way he deals with these as a theme in the play have a stronger relevance that is striking. He also uses this theme to create a remarkable drama, but more importantly, they are issues that are crucial to him. Accordingly, The Crucible is far more than a story of the past. Rather, it is an allegory of present times.