The Crucible
by Arthur Miller
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Book Reviews of The Crucible
Book Review: Tragedy, Power, Hysteria
Summary: 5 Stars
Arthur Miller's classic play based on the Salem Witch trials of 1692 demonstrates superstition, hysteria, and control. After being discovered dancing in the woods (strictly forbidden) one girl refuses to wake, and suspicions arise. Under pressure, the girls soon confess to communing with the devil. Young Abigail Williams senses her power as lead confessor, and milks the opportunity. Soon many stand accused, special judges arrive from Boston, and the town is quick to condemn. Hysteria reigns, and none are safe from its blows. The gallows await the imprisoned, thought they may win a reduced sentence by confessing their guilt. A couple skeptics led by John Proctor speak up, but the tables turn and they soon find themselves shackeled. Those that grimace at the willingness of the judges to trust superstition and obvious frauds should consider the power dynamics of a fundamentalist, church-ruled society. Those that understand the hysteria of McCarthyism in the early 1950's should see clear parallels from this moving demonstration. This play is well worth your time, as is the stirring 1996 film with Winona Ryder and Daniel Day Lewis.
Book Review: .
Summary: 4 Stars
Okay, so all sorts of historical details are altered for the sake of character drama, but so what? It does not change the fact that this is one heck of a great play that offers it all: romance, betrayal, psychology, murder, and more, all set in a sleepy little Puritan town obsessed with witches that has become the victim of the "games" of a few young girls.
While I would hardly recommend it to someone going for deep facts of the Salem Witch Trials, this still draws on historical characters and does an excellent job of portraying them as real people. You feel for them, even the ones you hate.
"The Crucible" is well-named as the pot that heats everything up, and Miller takes minor events and shows how they become the tragedy that was the witch trials.
This is an incredibly powerful and important story that teaches messages as the drama entertains.
Book Review: A Frightening Novel, By Mary Sanders, Cambridge Ma
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this play in the beginning of eighth grade. For the Salem Witch Trials always fascinated me. So I read this book. It is a beautifully written play telling of the events of the Salem Witch Trials. It was excellent. However, difficult to read, at least I thought so, if you did not really know the History of the Salem Trials. Anyway, I recommend this play not read by children under thirteen. It was quite intense. Some parts, were extremely frightening. Anyway, the main characters of this play were: John Proctor, Abigail Williams, Tituba Indian, and Elizabeth Proctor. The book was about this: In the beginning Salem's minister catches a group of girls (including his own niece!) in the woods practicing witchcraft along with Tituba. Then accusations of witches began, and hangings began. I will not tell more of the story-I will spoil it. But, read this play. It was excellent.Book Review: good book but different from the real life events
Summary: 5 Stars
I enjoyed reading the book. At times it can be difficult to follow because is in a play script format but it is laid out well. Some things are different in the book than are in the real life events. Some of the girls ages are changed. This end up just adding more to the drama of the book and makes it more realistic to our time. There are some great characters in the book such as Giles Corey the grumpy old man thinks the who thing is a hoax. He is very dynamic and adds a great contrast to the chaos that goes on in the book with the other characters. Another great aspect that Arthur Millier added to the story was the narration. It helps explain each scene and makes the book much more enjoyable to read. This book also gives a fairly good insight into puritan society. I would recommend anyone who is into the Salem Witch Trails or English Puritans to read this book.Book Review: Elvin Y Review - A great story to read and enjoy
Summary: 5 Stars
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a very well written play that is placed during the Salem Witch Trials times. It starts off when one character begins hysteria all throughout the town by accusing others for different objections. Mr. Hale was brought into the town to find who is causing all of this. When Abigail would never confess, other characters began to pay punishment such as being hung, stoned to death and many more ways for doing nothing wrong. After reading the story, I enjoyed it a lot due to the suspense that was being created and how the ending turned out. When the movie came out for this story, it helped clear any confusion for the story because it showed a visual on how the town was being destroyed by witchcraft. I recommend this story to anyone because even though you may not enjoy old stories, this one will always want to make you keep reading.