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Thread: Arthur Miller and McCarthyism

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    Arthur Miller and McCarthyism

    What did Arthur Miller have to do with McCarthyism and what were his personal beliefs in contrast to the generally accepted beliefs of society at that time?

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    Procrastinator General *Classic*Charm*'s Avatar
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    Understand McCarthyism, then read the Crucible and you'll know exactly how he felt about McCarthy and his anti-communist tirades
    I'm weary with right-angles, abbreviated daylight,
    Waiting for a winter to be done.
    Why do I still see you in every mirrored window,
    In all that I could never overcome?

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    Bibliophile JBI's Avatar
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    That seems like a pretty specific question - is it yours or your teacher's?

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    The Crucible was perceived as 'un-American' during the Red Scare, if I remember correctly. McCarthy was a Red Scare nut, and once Miller left the country (he went to Paris) he wasn't allowed back in.

    Some reading (wikipedia so treat with appropriate caution )

    The Crucible
    McCarthyism

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    Quote Originally Posted by JBI View Post
    That seems like a pretty specific question - is it yours or your teacher's?
    actually it's my question but i don't really see what that has to do with anything anyways i just needed a little clarification because i didn't totally understand the relationship between Arthur Miller and McCarthyism

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    Searching for..... amalia1985's Avatar
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    As an artist, Arthur Miller was one of the main targets of McCarthy's witch-hunt. One of his greatest plays,The Crucible, depicts exactly this persecution, whether it comes from a religious (clergy) or a political force, as in McCarthy's case. Danforth, the high judge in the play, is an allegorical figure for McCarthy.

    If you want more information on the theme, you can check the following books: I used them myself for my best project in the university, and I think they can help you.
    Baker's Arthur Miller's The Crucible
    Bigsby's Arthur Miller: A Critical Study and The Cambridge Companion to Arthur Miller
    Gottfried's Arthur Miller: His Life and Work.
    Norton's In The Devil'd Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis if 1692.
    None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe that they are free.
    -Goethe

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