The Crucible

Written by Arthur Miller

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Melissa

    

The Crucible is a dramatization of the Salem witch trials. The story begins with a girl named Betty laying unconscious after her cousin, Abigail, led a group dance in a forest at night. Reverend Paris, Betty's father and Abigail's uncle, questions Abigail about whether or not she and the group were trafficking spirits. Everyone who was in the forest accuses each other of performing witchcraft, which leads to the start of the Salem witch trials.

I read this book because I read about the playwright, and I thought it would be very interesting to see how women were portrayed at this time and how they connected with the Salem witch trials. This book gave me various mixed emotions because of its depiction of the severe fear many Americans had of witchcraft, as well as its exploration of McCarthyism (the practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper regard for evidence). The story's tone is very sinister because it shows how its characters try to get back at each other or make up lies for executions.

Although the organization of the playwright was very confusing and the plot would drag while adding unnecessary elements, I would recommend this book to both teens and adults for being a more sinister, mature read.