Arthur Miller (1915-2005), one of America’s greatest playwrights, wrote The Crucible as a powerful allegory about fear, mass hysteria, and the consequences of unchecked authority. Set during the Salem witch trials but written in response to the Red Scare and McCarthyism of the 1950s, the play remains deeply relevant today. The Crucible offers rich opportunities to explore integrity, reputation, power, and the dangers of conformity. 

Definition: McCarthyism was a period in 1950s America when people were accused of being communists without solid evidence, leading to fear, false accusations, and ruined reputations. It was named after Senator Joseph McCarthy, who led aggressive investigations during the Red Scare. 

In The Crucible, the characters use the term "Goody" as a shortened form of "Goodwife," which was a common way to address a married woman in Puritan New England—similar to how we use "Mrs." today. So when they say "Goody Proctor" or "Goody Nurse," they’re referring respectfully to Mrs. Proctor or Mrs. Nurse. 

Definition: A collective panic or irrational fear that spreads quickly through a community, often fueled by rumors, fear of the unknown, and social pressure.

In the play, the townspeople of Salem become swept up in a frenzy over witchcraft, leading them to abandon reason, accuse neighbors, and commit acts of injustice—not because of hard evidence, but because of fear and the pressure to conform.