Comparing The Crucible And The Film The King

Arthur miller’s play the crucible and the film the king in New York directed by Charlie Chaplin explores the way politics and people are entwined. Both these composers, through their texts, sagaciously convey the notion of how oppressive politics can be. They ingrain on the responder of the way in which politics can ruin and lead both people and societies to destruction when given excessive power. Arthur miller and Charlie Chaplin were profoundly affected by the mass hysteria of communism driven and instigated by Joseph McCarthy that occurred in America in the 1950’s. They suffered under the political oppression of the House of Un-American Activities (HUAC) when they were accused of supporting the communist ideology. Amid the political disarray,

Miller exhibits this through the character Parris when he commands Abigail, “child sit you down”. His imposing tone, underlines the low status of children in the Salem community. It accentuates the way, children in the Salem community were seen as possessions that were inherently controlled by adults. The controlling nature of theocratic societies is further conveyed when Parris exclaims that he has “Sought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me”. Through this strong imagery, the responder learns how forceful theocratic societies are on its people. Moreover, the burden of this political system is conveyed through the metaphor “I pray you feel the weight of truth upon you”. This reveals the pressure that both the society and its people are in which is a direct allusion to the title of the book “The Crucible”. All in all, miller compels the responder to believe that theocratic societies are dangerous to its

Chaplin through his film appraises the responder that political systems “antagonise the people” especially the government in America. This is symbolically depicted through the high positioning of the American flag in the mise en scène which conveys the American government to be to overbearing. Moreover, since the king is portrayed as Charlie Chaplin, it reminds the audience of his expulsion from America. Furthermore, the government is ridiculed by the boy via his back and forth hand movement. This is symbolic of the actions of Hitler, a dictator who caused much havoc to the world. Hence, through this symbolism, Chaplin suggests how destructive governments are for both people and society. In addition, the mockery of the King via the long shot of the boys pointing and laughing at him is symbolic of way governments undermine people that oppose them. This is apparent as the King is a representation of people in society. Therefore, Chaplin, through this scene warns society of the dangers and unfavorable ramifications of political