Arthur Miller's The Crucible uses a fictional account of the Salem Witch Trials to expose the mob mentality associated with the 1950s Red Scare and the sometimes overzealous fight against communism in America. By referencing the events that occurred during the Witch Trials, the playwright successfully portrays the tyrannical behavior of society at its worst, exposing fraud, faulty logic, revenge, bigotry, and evil (Brater). Arthur Miller draws a parallel between the mass social events of the 1600s and those of the 1950s. In both cases, leaders exploit the fear of the masses for their own personal gain. Abigail, the protagonist of the play, and Senator Joseph McCarthy are both capable of generating a wave that takes on a life of its own and ruins the lives of others. Arthur Miller created this analogy to expose Senator McCarthy and his anti-communist propaganda by creating an analogy with the ferocity of the Salem witch trials. The Salem witch trials and the Red Scare fueled public anxiety. The Salem witch trials amplified society's ability to influence the justice system. As hysteria over the existence of witches grew, innocent individuals were executed. McCarthyism also demonstrated society's ability to influence the justice system. As hysteria grew over the threat of communism in America, innocent individuals were jailed, blacklisted, deported, and fired from their jobs. The Crucible, first staged in 1953, was intended to raise awareness of the effect that fear can have on human behavior and judgment. The show illustrates how Abigail's intent to avoid punishment by accusing others of culturally deviant activities led to mass hysteria. Senator McCar... middle of paper... The Crucible. New York, NY: Penguin, 1996. Print.[p. 34, 74, 122] Schrecker, Ellen. "The Growth of the Anti-Communist Network". CPCW: The Center for Contemporary Writing Programs. Boston: St. Martin's Press 1994, May 31, 2007. Web. March 20, 2012. .Schrecker, Ellen. ““The State Intervenes: Setting the Anti-Communist Agenda.”” CPCW: Center for Contemporary Writing Programs. Boston: St. Martin's Press 1994, May 31, 2007. Web. March 20, 2012. .Schuetze-Coburn, Marje. “The Appearance of Bertold Brecht Before the HUAC.” Brecht's appearance before the HUAC. Feuchtwanger Librarian, University of Southern California, February 1998. Web. March 20. 2012. .