The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Set during the Salem Witch Trials in the late 17th century, this play explores the hysteria, deceit, and religious extremism that plague a small Puritan village in Massachusetts. The protagonist, a flawed but essentially good man, is caught in a web of accusations when young girls in the town start displaying strange behavior and accusing others of witchcraft. The ensuing trials reveal not only the dangers of mass hysteria and false accusations, but also the destructive power of societal pressures and the human capacity for both cruelty and heroism.
The 919th greatest book of all time
If you're interested in seeing the ranking details on this book go here
This book is on the following lists:
- 8th on The 101 GREATEST PLAYS of the Past 100 Years (1920-2020) (Broadway World)
- 64th on The Drama 100 - A Ranking of the Greatest Plays of All Time (Book)
- 78th on From Oedipus to The History Boys: Michael Billington's 101 greatest plays (The Guardian)
- 782nd on Our Users' Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- The Book of Great Books: A Guide to 100 World Classics (Book)
- Select 100 (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
- The College Board: 101 Great Books Recommended for College-Bound Readers (The College Board, an American not-for-profit organization)