In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, a total of 19 people were executed due to accusations of witchcraft, with several others imprisoned. The hysteria began in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, fueled by fear and superstition.
The play focuses on the impact of these accusations on the community and highlights how paranoia can lead to tragic consequences. Key figures like John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and Rebecca Nurse became central to the narrative, illustrating the personal and communal fallout of these paranoid accusations.
Thematically, the play serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of extremism and the fragility of truth in the face of mass hysteria.