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Overview
Overview
One of the most acclaimed plays in the American theatrical canon, this exciting drama about the Puritan purge of witchcraft in old Salem is a gripping and timely parable of contemporary society, as well as a studied historical tale. The story focuses upon a young farmer, his wife and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wife's arrest for witchcraft. The farmer brings the girl to court to admit the lie - and the monstrous course of bigotry and deceit is terrifyingly depicted. The farmer, instead of saving his wife, finds himself also accused of witchcraft and ultimately condemned along with a host of others.
- Format: TradePaperback
- Author: Miller, Arthur
- ISBN: 9780822202554
- Condition: Used
- Dimensions: 7.77 x 0.26
- Number Of Pages: 95
- Publication Year: 2026
Customer Reviews
Rating Snapshot
5 ★
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4 ★
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4 Ratings
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Hysteria goes systemic.
Kimberly Q. - 1 year 8 months agoThe Crucible is a play by 20th-century playwright Arthur Miller and is a semi-historical account of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 in colonial Massachusetts. The play opens with the town clergyman, Samuel Parris, concerned as his daughter, Betty, appears sick and on the brink of death. It quickly comes out that she has been dancing in the woods with Tituba, a Caribbean-born slave, and others of the town's young women. As the practice of dancing (as well as most other activities we would consider fun today) was considered heretical by the ultra-dogmatic Puritans of 17th century New England, this revelation leads the townspeople to begin suggesting the possibility of witchcraft as the cause of her illness. What follows is the tragic unfolding of accusations, denials, and false confessions of devil worship that end with the executions of over a dozen innocent men and women. The play itself was written as a metaphor for what Miller considered contemporary witch hunts during the Red Scare, when any American accused of being a communist would see his or her career ruined, regardless of the veracity of the accusations. It has become a classic of American dramatic literature and reminds the reader of the human toll that can be taken by rampant and unsubstantiated fear on a societal level.
HPB Staff Review -
Crucible Review
Adelia B. - 5 years 8 months agoOf all the books I was required to read while I was in high school, I was most grateful for this one. The discussion on morality, religion, and "herd mentality" all combined the with relation to the communist hysteria of the 50s are all what make this play one of my favorite classics. From my perspective, I prefer to read books with such social commentary because it creates another layer of complexities to consider as a reader. #BannedBook
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Thoughtful, open-ended, and relevant
Michelle d. - 6 years ago"The Crucible" keeps getting assigned in classes I have taken throughout high school and college, but I can't say that I am mad about it. Miller is one of my personal favorite playwrights and "The Crucible" is my second favorite of his plays (just behind "Death of a Salesman"). It is a play that will make people think, and, unlike Bernard Shaw, Miller takes a more open-ended approach, leaving it up to the performer or reader to decide if there was ever any real witches in Salem. He poses questions of religion and what makes a person "good". Proctor is our antihero who is really trying his best not to let other people's paranoia get the best of him, and the reader learns to respect him despite his human errancy. I look forward for when I have to read this play again. This book is good for middle schoolers and up. I would highly encourage watching it performed as well. #SummerReading
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Revolves around Salem Witch Trials
Bethany P. - 6 years 1 month agoI picked this play up on a bored whim during spring break and could not put it down! Miller does such a great job bringing this period to life. Definitely recommend and can’t wait to read more by him.