Nick Soukup

12/12/16
Block F

The Crucible
Living in a time such as the Salem Witch Trials is like living on a time
bomb. Accusations were reoccurring, and confessions were used as an
escape route. This occurred the book The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, was
due to the lack of communication between the people involved and the
strong religious belief that was present in the past. However, if the Witch
Trials occurred in the modern age, people would come to their senses sooner
and the trials would have ended faster due to communication through
texting and instant messaging allowing people to gain information and
educating others online.
If the book would have taken place in modern times, the advancement
in technology would allow people to come to more valid conclusions to
problems. Betty would not have been believed to be bewitched. A
conversation between Parris and Susanna explains, Aye sir, he have been
searchin his books since he left you, sir. But he bid me tell you, that you
might look to unnatural things for the cause of it No-no. There be no
unnatural cause here. (Miller pg.9) This quotation explains how they had a
lack of technology and medicine and came to the conclusion that witchcraft
was the reason for Bettys coma. If she was stuck in a deep sleep while in
modern ages, we would have the technology to find out what was wrong with
her, and it would be assumed that Betty is in a coma. Also, people in the

modern ages, with science far more relevant now, would not believe in
witchcraft. Since the scientific revolution, in 1543, many people have been
using judgement and reasoning to solve the universes problems instead of
religion.
The direct communication through texting would have prevented many
problems in The Crucible, and would have caused the results to vastly differ
from the book. During the court cases against Elizabeth, Proctor attempts to
expose Abigail, admitting his affair with her, and, once they bring Elizabeth
out to explain the story herself, she says, Your Honor, I- in that time I were
sick. And I- My husband is a good and righteous man I came to think he
fancied her. And so one night I lost my wits, I think, and I put her out on the
highroad She has spoken. Remove her!... Elizabeth I have confessed it!
(Miller pg.105) This quote shows the miscommunication between Elizabeth
and John. Elizabeth would have known that John admitted his affair, and she
wouldnt have lied to the court, but John didnt communicate that to her.
Since they didnt communicate, Johns case against Abigail was invalid and
the court did not trust John anymore. Also, when Parris caught the girls
dancing in the woods, he would have used a camera or a cell phone to take
pictures or record what he saw. When Parris explained that he saw they girls
dancing around a cauldron, they could have examined the pictures, leading
to a more arrant conclusion. The communication and information between
himself and those he was convincing would have been far more valid if he
had obtained proof.

If social media existed in the story, the characters would all be posting
comments about the Salem Witch Trials. People would be sharing their
opinions and giving their feedback on the subject, allowing the other
characters to interpret each others ideas. People would realize that the
whole catastrophe is ludicrous and that the confession process is corrupt.
However, with social media such as private messaging, it would be easier to
send threats and to blackmail others. For example, it would be facile for
Abigail to threaten Mary or Elizabeth, which would be a fault of having the
Witch Trials exist in the current age.
The Salem Witch Trials were a time of fear and revenge, people
accusing those they dislike or have a grudge against. While the entire event
was a tremendous scam, the lack of technology and communication within
the Salem community was the reason everyone was so blind. If the Witch
Trials occurred in the modern age, it would have been shut down faster.
People would have come to their senses sooner due to the spread of
information and ideas using technology.