When it comes to writing a piece of work based on events from the real world, multiple

details must be taken into consideration. If certain events aren’t mentioned, alluded to or have an
effect on the perception of the characters involved within it, then the way that they react or
events that occur within these tales don’t feel genuine to the reader. For those seeking to
undertake such an endeavor, such as Arthur Miller, authors must keep in mind the events and
common knowledge of the time period. Luckily, Miller was able to follow this requirement so as
to enrich the experience of his play. From a historical lens, ​The Crucible​ portrays the reactions of
the townspeople accurately based on the events that have occurred during the Salem witch trials.
Such attention makes the characters’ train of thoughts feel in place with the timeline.
Historically, events in the past were brought about by what the majority believed in.
From wars to shifts in power, the power of one’s perception was able to conjure up drastic
actions throughout the millenium. Its presence within ​The Crucible ​makes sense within the
context of its setting. In the beginning act of the play, Miller depicts multiple characters with a
strong belief in the supernatural. Reverend Parris, a religious leader within the town of Salem,
was shown to be swayed by the possibility of witchcraft when medical treatments seemed to
have no affect on his ill daughter, even though his position within his church would warrant
skepticism to such a conclusion. His willingness to believe in a supernatural cause makes sense
when one views the history of witchcraft. Based on historical documents (1), the mention of
witches first appeared in two Old Testaments of the Bible, created around 560 B.C. Since then,
speculations of citizens partaking in the dark arts have gone rampant throughout Europe,
eventually arriving to the new colonies. The idea of witches has been ingrained within the minds
of the colonists from centuries of superstitions and events pertaining to them, passed onto the
subsequent generations. It’s presence was constantly within the minds of these people, so the
characters’ willingness to believe in the supernatural and the fear that came with what are now
absurd ideas makes sense historically.
The idea of witches itself was the catalyst to the events that had occurred in Salem, yet
it’s presence wasn’t what made such drastic beliefs possible. It’s intertwined connection with
religion had been the main factor that had drawn people to the same conclusion. It’s this
presence and influence of religion within ​The Crucible​ that draws in an accurate portrayal of
these characters’ morals. Within the play, mentions of the Devil are given by various characters
when referring to witches and the supernatural. Such an example of this was seen in a
conversation involving Tituba and Hale, where her actions are put under questioning as though
she had been dealing with the devil. The moral compasses of characters seen as outsiders of
society were also questioned to be sinful, opposing the word of God. Such accusations bonded to
religion fall in-line with how the world was viewed back then. Religion was used as a tool to
maintain order within a society, where social norms are founded upon. Based on information
collected from Puritan life (2), problems found within their society are almost always connected
to the Devil and witchcraft. Anything or anyone that went against the standards of Salem were
marked with suck a connection, for they are seen as opposing God and his word. For such a strict
enforcement of the status quo, the reactions that Miller gave to his character are chronologically
correct.
What served as the tipping point within ​The Crucible ​for all the allegations to be made on
citizens would be the moment Tituba was singled out as the first witch in Salem. Such an action
was made possible by the differences shared between her and the rest of the community.This
mindset of the characters in the play was a genuine reason to declare a person a witch that real
Puritans had during the actual trials. The lines mentioned earlier about Tituba’s introduction
revealed some of her traditions from her background as an African slave. While they are a key
part to her identity, the rest of the townspeople looked at such activities and her language as
proof of witchcraft, for they are unknowns, This depiction of her character is similar to the
reasons as to why her real world counterpart was found guilty (4). Her ethnic background and
outsider status were what made her a prime candidate for a witch hunt. This prejudice and fear
towards others were also rooted in events leading up to trial (3). During the creation of Salem,
the Native American tribes that once inhabited the area had become agitated by the presence of
the new settlers, prompting them to attack as many of them as possible. Even after Salem was
created, the tribe attacks had continued from time to time, trying to get rid of their unwanted
neighbors. This has made an association with the settlers that the natives were people of the
Devil, filled with the intent to condemn the followers of God. Such negative experiences have
left Salem’s occupants scarred when it comes to dealing with those unlike themselves, setting the
stage for witch hysteria to spread when the moment arrived. These conditions have been met
when writing dialogue for the characters, further proving the historical accuracy of Miller’s
work.
In conclusion, the facts and events that had occurred within Salem were taken into
consideration by Miller when it came to writing historically accurate dialogue. While details
within the play were altered for the sake of entertainment, the feel and language used to depict
Salem during the witch trials line up with the historical background of its people. Such a pursuit
to make a piece of work historically accurate to a point is one not many choose to undertake,
Yet, when such studious labor is done, it can aid the reader in putting themselves in the mindset
of those long ago.

1.) Z, Grace. “Witchcraft - The Beginnings.” ​Witchcraft: The Beginnings​,

people.ucls.uchicago.edu/~snekros/The%20Salem%20Sentinel/Other/Entries/2013/11/14
_Witchcraft_-_The_Beginnings.html.
2.) “Religious Aspects.” ​Religious Aspects​, msu.edu/~shahfaiz/Salem/religion.html.
3.) Baker, Emerson W, and James Kences. “Witchcraft and the Indians.” ​Witchcraft and the
Indians​,
www.hawthorneinsalem.org/Literature/NativeAmericans&Blacks/HannahDuston/MMD2
137.html​.
4.) Brooks, Rebecca Beatrice. “Tituba: The Slave of Salem.” ​History of Massachusetts​, 24
Nov. 2017, historyofmassachusetts.org/tituba-the-slave-of-salem/.