The Crucible Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Fear of Communism's infiltration of the U.S. government peaked in the 1940s and '50s as the United States moved from WWII into the Cold War. Among those impacted by the subsequent government investigation programs was playwright Arthur Miller, who was called in for questioning by the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1956. Among Miller’s more popular works was The Crucible--a historical fiction play that explores mass hysteria during the Salem Witch Trials. In a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, TAG thesis statement, and conclusion paragraph, identify the rhetorical choices Arthur Miller makes throughout The Crucible to convey his purpose. Your analysis of rhetoric should address the exigence/historical context of the play in order to identify additional influences on the author’s message.