Historia

The Crucible provides us with an example of a masterpiece of dramatic writing. In this play Arthur Miller displays a variety of theatrical techniques all of which are compacted into each act. Theplay is a parallel to what Miller was experiencing under General McCarthy’s command, as the search for communist is similar to a modern witch-hunt. The Crucible begins with a group of girls caughtdancing in the forest, where the community jumped straight to witchcraft due to their strict religious beliefs. At this very moment, hysteria filled to whole community, resulting in false accusations andmass hangings. Truth was powerless against the hysteria as evil infiltrates all reasons. Miller’s effective use of stage directions, dialogues and…helps to achieve the development of dramatic tensionfelt throughout the play, especially at the climax of Proctors inner conflict in Act 4. However, there are specific moments of heightened tension within scenes from previous acts that contribute to theultimate climax, thus making it very powerful. As a result, by the end of each scene we not only understand Miller’s message but we also find ourselves convinced by his arguments.Miller’s talent as adramatic writer is clearly shown by the development of tension throughout Act I, especially towards the end. Abigail is responsible for the hysteria/tension as her thirst for vengeance. When Abigail“enraptured” shouts of “I want the light of God,” it completely broke the previous slowness of Tituba’s confessions. Miller expertly makes Tituba’s confessions slow and broken by her poor English andsuddenly quickens the pace in hysteria that follows. The change in pace form an already tense situation to one even more tense engages the audience to feel the dramatic tension brewing between thecharacters. The accusations continues with cries of “I saw…with the Devil” which becomes faster as all the girls join in and the act ends “[on their ecstatic cries]”. The audience feels like shouting...