The Crucible: Theatrical Conventions of the Period

Genre and Style

The Crucible is a classic example of a Political Drama, a type of a play that discusses politics and reflects social issues.
It follows the Realistic Drama style, depicting believable characters and events with historical accuracy. The situations in the play are hyper-realistic, revealing the irrational fear and hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials.
Arthur Miller’s play also embodies the characteristics of a Tragedy, as it covers human suffering, moral dilemmas, and the downfall of the protagonist due to his tragic flaw.

Miller uses the past events of the Salem Witch Trials as an allegory for the anti-communist hysteria of his time (1950s McCarthyism).
Allegory is a narrative technique used in the play to convey deeper meanings. It links the characters, events, and inanimate objects in the plot to symbolic interpretations, often relating to social, moral, or political issues.

The settings of The Crucible are based on historical locations, including Parris’s house, Proctor’s house, and the Salem Meeting House/ Court. This helps establish the authenticity of the play.
The play features a box set design with a proscenium arch stage, wherein the audience is removed from the action, looking into the stage as if it’s a room with the fourth wall removed.
The realistic stage design and physical settings of the play further the concept of Realism in the theatre.

The costumes in the play reflect the period during which the Salem Witch Trials occurred – the late 17th Century. The outfits of the characters subtly hint at their personalities and societal status.
The props used – like the doll made by Mary Warren, the golden candle sticks mentioned and the petticoat that Elizabeth is making – not only add to the realism but also carry symbolic meanings to the overall plot and character understanding.

Traditionally, the use of lighting and sound in the play was minimal, to focus on the dialogue and performance rather than mood or atmosphere.
However, modern productions might use lighting contrasts to highlight the tension and chaos, shadows to create an eerie atmosphere synonymous with witch trials, and strategic sound effects to enhance the portrayed hysteria.

To maintain historical accuracy and to instil the sense of time, Miller employs a version of 17th-century English. It is not completely accurate to the time period but is a stylised representation that creates the sense of watching a period drama.
Characters also use stage directions to further explain the setting, their actions, intentions, and emotions. Beginners in the study of Drama often overlook this, but stage directions can provide essential cues for understanding the characters and their interactions better.

Miller skilfully weaves instances of dramatic irony, where the audience is aware of certain facts that the characters on stage are not. This not only escalates the tension but also invites the audience to reflect on the larger social implications beyond the immediate plot.

Though largely realistic, The Crucible occasionally breaks the theatre convention by having the characters break the fourth wall to provide background information. This narrative technique is often used to provide context or commentary on the actions taking place.