The Crucible
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4.3 • 174 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
A haunting examination of groupthink and mass hysteria in a rural community
The place is Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, an enclave of rigid piety huddled on the edge of a wilderness. Its inhabitants believe unquestioningly in their own sanctity. But in Arthur Miller's edgy masterpiece, that very belief will have poisonous consequences when a vengeful teenager accuses a rival of witchcraft—and then when those accusations multiply to consume the entire village.
First produced in 1953, at a time when America was convulsed by a new epidemic of witch-hunting, The Crucible brilliantly explores the threshold between individual guilt and mass hysteria, personal spite and collective evil. It is a play that is not only relentlessly suspenseful and vastly moving but that compels readers to fathom their hearts and consciences in ways that only the greatest theater ever can.
"A drama of emotional power and impact" —New York Post
Customer Reviews
I read this after seeing the movie Molly's Game (2017)
In the movie, The Crucible is first mentioned as a homework assignment of Molly's lawyer's daughter. Molly (Jessica Chastain) had not read it.
Near the movie's end, Molly refuses to give up the names of her high-profile clients to prosecutors. Doing so would ruin their names, as well as hers. "Because it's all I have left! Because it's my name! And I'll never have another." Her lawyer (Idris Elba) exclaims "Now you read The Crucible!" Her response is "yeah, it's a great book."
Now I'm motivated to read it because there must be something in it about the importance of one's name. There is, but not until the end.
The reason I read The Crucible is a bit silly, but I'm very happy that I did. It is a great book; I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it.
Assigned Reading
Usually I hate reading books assigned for class, but this was actually very interesting as far as the story goes and I like the play format since there’s mostly dialogue. If there was too much detail I would’ve been confused because of the language, but I understood it well enough and it was very enjoyable
Love this BOOK!
One of the most interesting books I have read !