The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is a timeless work applicable to many societies. The Crucible was written to criticize the outrageous behavior of Americans in the 1950s. The McCarthy era in the 1950s parallels the witch hunts in Salem. Miller's work is still relevant to today's political situations, even though it was written specifically to criticize that time period. Both the McCarthy era and the Salem witch trials show the danger of collective hysteria, the speed of rumors, and the inability of accusers to stop accusations once they begin. In the 1950s, a senator named Joseph McCarthy found himself in a position of great power and influence because of his vague accusations. After World War II, communism was considered a terrible crime because it supported anti-American ideas and it was a very terrible thing to be labeled a communist. If a person was blacklisted by Joseph McCarthy, his or her reputation would be destroyed indefinitely and the person might even lose their job. A character very similar to Joseph McCarthy in The Crucible is Abigail Williams. Like McCarthy, Abigail gains a certain power she desperately desires when she accuses someone of witchcraft. «I am nothing but the finger of God, John. If he condemns Elizabeth, she will be condemned” (Miller 98). When Abigail mentioned a citizen by the name of Salem, her reputation and even her life were in danger. “The Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not hesitate to follow him wherever he points the accusing finger!” (Miller 68). Miller never states it directly, but Abigail Williams seeks power, attention, and love. Abigail's parents were murdered when she was young and she longs for the love she doesn't receive from her guardian, Reverend Parris. She is... at the center of the card... she is a timeless work of art that continues to apply to current situations in the world. Miller is praised for capturing the perspective of the McCarthy period in another form. She cleverly draws parallels with Abigail Williams and Joseph McCarthy in their wild accusations. It directly shows the speed of voices, the power of accusers and the destructiveness of accusations. Perhaps Miller also hints at what the future of our society could be. Work cited Hayes, Richard. “History and ideology in the crucible”. History and ideology in The Crucible (1953). May 31, 2008. October 29, 2008. .Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York: Penguin Books, 1996. Woolway, Joanne. “The Crucible Critique.” Answers.com. 1998. Responses Corporation. October 29, 2008.-8>.