The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is a timeless work applicable to many societies. The Crucible was written to criticize the outrageous behavior of Americans in the 1950s. The McCarthy era in the 1950s is comparable to the witch hunt in Salem. Miller's work is still relevant to today's political situations, even though it was specifically written to criticize that period. The McCarthy era and the Salem witch trials demonstrate the danger of mass hysteria, the rapidity of rumors, and the inability of accusers to stop accusations once they begin. In the 1950s, a senator named Joseph McCarthy found himself in a position of great power and influence due to his vaguely thrown accusations. After World War II, communism was considered a terrible crime of supporting anti-American views and it was a very terrible thing to be called a communist. If a person were put on Joseph McCarthy's blacklist, their reputation would be destroyed indefinitely and they could even lose their job. A character very similar to Joseph McCarthy in The Crucible is Abigail Williams. Like McCarthy, Abigail gains a certain power she desperately desires when she accuses someone of witchcraft. “I'm just the finger of God, John. If he condemned Elizabeth, she would be condemned” (Miller 98). When Abigail mentioned the name of a citizen of Salem, her reputation and even her life were threatened. “The Devil lives in Salem, and we dare not hesitate to follow him wherever the accusing finger points!” » (Miller 68). Miller never states it directly, but Abigail Williams craves power, attention, and love. Abigail's parents were murdered when she was young, and she desires a love that she does not receive from her caretaker, Reverend Parris. It has...... middle of paper ......ly a timeless work of art that continues to apply to current situations in the world. Miller is praised for capturing the perspective of the McCarthy period in another form. He cleverly parallels Abigail Williams and Joseph McCarthy in their wild accusations. It directly displays the speed of rumors, the power of accusers, and the destructive nature of accusations. Perhaps Miller is even implying what the future of our society might be. Work cited Hayes, Richard. “History and ideology in the crucible”. History and ideology in The Crucible (1953). May 31, 2008. October 29, 2008. .Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York: Penguin Books, 1996. Woolway, Joanne. “The Crucible Review.” Answers.com. 1998. Answers Corporation. October 29, 2008. < http://www.answers.com/topic/the-crucible-play-8>.