The Crucible: style

Dramatic Style

Realism

“The Crucible” is a historical drama based on real events, therefore, it uses a realistic style.
Arthur Miller presents believable characters who exist within the socio-political climate of 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, looking at the complexities of their motivations and fears.
The realistic style and setting allows for the exploration of themes such as fear, power, and integrity in a believable and relatable way.

Historical Allegory

While the play presents a realistic view of the Salem witch trials, it also acts as an allegory for the anti-Communist “witch hunts” of the 1950s in the United States - known as the McCarthy trials.
The comparison between the hysteria of witch hunts and the paranoia about communism serves as a critical commentary about moral absolutism and the power of fear within a society.
The allegory is not explicit but underlies the entire play, providing a stark warning about the dangers of blindly submitting to hysteria and authority.

Old-Fashioned Dialect

The characters in “The Crucible” speak in a 17th-century dialect, bringing a sense of authenticity to the period setting.
Arthur Miller’s use of such dialogue lends to the creation of a believable world, heightening dramatic tension whilst embedding the audience into the era.

Direct and Expressive Speech

Despite the dated dialect, the characters express their feelings in a direct, clear-cut manner.
The language is elevated but never obscure, reinforcing the themes and helping the audience understand the motivations of the characters clearly.

Minimalist Staging

The staging of “The Crucible” is often minimalist in nature, focusing more on character interaction and dialogue than a detailed environment.
This style of staging helps hone the audience’s focus onto the characters’ inner turbulence and relationship dynamics.

Lighting, Costume and Sound

Elements such as lighting, sound, and costume are used effectively to enhance atmosphere and echo the sombre and tense tone of the play.
The contrast between light and dark, noise and silence, and colourful and muted costumes serve as a visual and aural representation of the contrasting morality seen in the community versus the individual.

Dramatic Irony

Miller utilises dramatic irony extensively as the audience knows more than the characters do, particularly with regard to Abigail Williams’ manipulation.
This heightens the suspense throughout the play, as the audience braces for the inevitable tragic conclusion.

Foreshadowing

There are several instances of foreshadowing throughout the play, hinting at the coming disaster.
For example, Reverend Parris’s initial fear of witchcraft within his household signals the town-wide hysteria that subsequently unfolds.

Symbolism

The play uses symbolism to represent various themes and character traits.
The doll found in the Proctor home, for instance, comes to symbolise the malign power of supposed evidence, and the ease at which truth can be manipulated.