The Crucible

Junge Mädchen tanzen nachts im Wald, während eine Negerin alte Beschwörungsformeln über das Feuer murmelt; Beschwörungen, die Abigail, einem der Mädchen, zu ihrem Liebesglück verhelfen sollen. Doch die Mädchen werden belauscht. Abigails Onkel, Pastor Parris, wird Zeuge des nächtlichen Spuks, bei dem er zu seinem Schrecken auch seine eigene Tochter Betty erkennt. Und so wird aus einer harmlosen Kinderei in den Augen der bigotten Stadt Salem das verdammenswerte Verbrechen, im Bund mit dem Teufel zu sein. Eine allgemeine Verfolgungshysterie bricht aus, die ein Teil der Bevölkerung geschickt zum eigenen Vorteil zu nutzen weiß. Die Obrigkeit wittert Aufruhr, Anarchie und Gotteslästerung. Dagegen gibt es nur ein Mittel: Kerker oder die Todesstrafe. Salem wird zu einem Hexenkessel der allgemeinen Beschuldigung.

Kurzbeschreibung:

The Crucible is Miller's classic dramatisation of the witch-hunt and trials that besieged the Puritan community of Salem in 1692. This definitive critical edition of the play features a comprehensive commentary, notes and questions prepared by one of the leading international Miller experts in consultation with the author's estate.
The Crucible is Miller's classic dramatisation of the witch-hunt and trials that besieged the Puritan community of Salem in 1692. This definitive critical edition of the play features a comprehensive commentary, notes and questions prepared by one of the leading international Miller experts in consultation with the author's estate.

Klappentext:

This Student Edition of The Crucible is perfect for students of literature and drama and offers an unrivalled guide to Miller's classic play. It features an extensive introduction by Susan C. W. Abbotson which includes: a chronology of Miller's life and times; a summary of the plot and commentary on the characters, themes, language, context and production history of the play. Together with over twenty questions for further study, detailed notes on words and phrases from the text and the additional scene 2 of the second Act, this is the definitive edition of the play.
In a small tight-knit community gossip and rumour spread like wildfire inflaming personal grievances until no-one is safe from accusation and vengeance. The Crucible is Miller's classic dramatisation of the witch-hunt and trials that besieged the Puritan community of Salem in 1692. Seen as a chilling parallel to the McCarthyism and repressive culture of fear that gripped America in the 1950s, the play's timeless r elevance and appeal remains as strong as when the play opened on Broadway in 1953.

Rezension:

'The uniform structure and consistent approach eveident in these [first] four volumes make them readable and accessible to students and scholars alike and guarantee that these editions will certainly persist as invaluable tools for those who both enjoy Miller as a dramatist and study him as a significant social and American spokesperson.' The Arthur Miller Journal, fall 2010