The success of "Death of a Salesman" catapulted Miller to the forefront of American theater. He was nOW not just a successful playwright but a public intellectual whose views on society and politics were sought after and respected. This newfound fame and influence would soon be put to the test as America entered one of its darkest political periods.

The McCarthy Era and The Crucible

The early 1950s saw the rise of McCarthyism in the United States. Senator Joseph McCarthy led a campaign to root out alleged communist sympathizers in American society, particularly in the entertainment industry. As a prominent left-wing intellectual, Miller found himself in the crosshairs of this witch hunt.