Throughout the McCarthy era, many were persecuted for communism, whether rightly or wrongly so. Similar to that of the Salem Witch Trials, a countless number of individuals were accused of a crime, whether the evidence behind such an accusation was strong or weak. The insecurity and paranoia of the United States was revealed in both these instances, and divided a nation and its people as a result.
Arthur Miller said, I suppose we rapidly passed over anything like a discussion or debate, and into something quite different, a hunt not just for subversive people, but for ideas and even a suspect language. The objects was to destroy the least credibility of any and all ideas associated with socialism and communism,. During the McCarthy era, and also much like the Salem Witch Trials, any rational discussion that could have been had over the situation at hand was ignored, which resulted in a problem that escalated into something far worse than anyone could have imagined. Lives were taken over suspicions and accusations made without any credibility or reliable evidence behind them. Far worse was the fact that these suspicions included completely irrelevant evidence that could not logically be linked to the crime individuals were being accused of.
One was not permitted to even speak about communism in a lighter manner, as even these statements were taken far too seriously. Miller had cited an instance of himself in a lawyers office in which he had commented that, the Broadway theatre, which I said was corrupt; the art of theatre (page 6)
Dominic Minischetti 10/20/10
Mrs. OHagan English 11R