Compare and Contrast: Salem and McCarthyism

It is debatable how conscious Miller’s intentions were in writing a story allegorical to the communist scare. He clearly denounces the hysteria, righteousness, and injustice fear can spark, but the critical differences suggest his priority was in writing an entertaining story rather than a pure political commentary.

Similarities:

• The court of Salem is like the House of Un-American Activities Committee, claiming it is its righteous duty to administer justice based on spirituality (or, in America, political morality).
• The hysteria and suspicion surrounding the climbing numbers of accused reflect McCarthyism's fear.
• McCarthy and Parris use fear to their advantage: McCarthy gains political power, and Parris attempts to bring the discontented Salem back under his control.
• Personal rivalries and self-preservation are more influential in Salem’s trials than any pretense of justice; the false confessions made during McCarthy's time are similar.
• While the The Crucible was running, its audience held a moment of silence for Ethel and Julius Rosenburg, both executed under suspicion of spying for the Soviet Union. Those executed were seen as martyrs in both the play and in the communist scare.
• Miller's refusal to give names is paralleled in Proctor's character as an act of good. More generally, the pressure to accuse others to save oneself is present in both the play and in McCarthy’s time.


Differences:

• The pivotal conflict in the play is Abigail William's continued longing for John Proctor, who has terminated their affair. It is her jealously and lust, as well as Proctor's fear to confess, that drives the story. There is no such parallel in the McCarthy trials.
• There really were spies for the Soviet Union, and there really were communist sympathizers, but Salem's witchcraft is not real.
• Part of Abigail's motivation to encourage panic stems from her frustration as a member of the lowest social class, but historically, the initial communist followers were of the lower class.