hey knew was with the Devil and to sign a confession saying they had practiced witchcraft. By doing this, their lives would be spared. Some fall into the temptation and go as far as blaming such "saints" as Rebecca Nurse. Citizens like John Proctor refused to sign or point a finger for the simple task of saving himself and he will have to live with that guilt for the rest of his life. The actions displayed by such characters in the play are very similar to that of real-life Americans during McCarthyism. McCarthyism and witch hunts are very similar in the idea of trying to purge a community of impurities and cleanse it of an undesirable concept. Both hold trials, one to rid a society of Communists and the other to rid a society of witches. As the accused are brought before the judges in the witch trials, they are given an opportunity to point out any associates. This also happens when accused Communists are brought before the House of Un-American Activities Committee headed by McCarthy. In one such incident, Arthur Miller himself was brought before the House of Un-American Activities Committee. In some aspects, Miller could be compared to John Proctor in his play. Miller was brought before the HUAC as a result of association. As a result of Miller's presence before the HUAC, he lost many associates. He was greatly disturbed as he watched men who had known him for years pass him by "without a word" (Martine, Essays 35). When brought before the HUAC, Miller would not answer the questions the committee presented and denounced the idea of pointing a finger at any friend or enemy of his. In sense, these are actions taken by Proctor of the Crucible. Proctor felt guilty as a result of his association with Abigail Williams and his wife Elizabeth Proctor, who was accused of witchery. When brought before the magistrates, he broke down and tore up the certificate of confession and refused to sign any name. One thing that ...
