Times of Crisis Create Opportunities: A Comparison of The Crucible and Years of Wonder Amy Frangalas 12th Grade

Brooks and Miller examine how during times of extreme crisis, opportunities of good and bad nature are born and the consequences are unavoidably suffered. Arthur Millers, The Crucible, an allegory of the McCarthy era in the 1950’s American society, recounts the controversial Salem witch trials that occurred in the late seventeenth century. Novelist, Geraldine Brook’s, Year of Wonders, refers to the catastrophic plague which brought about devastation to many in the isolated town of Eyam. Both Miller and Brooks respective texts provide an insight into how times of extreme crisis can create opportunities for some, however, also has the capacity to create oppression and conflict within others. Both writers discuss how times of crisis becomes a catalyst for different types of change while also creating conflict. Furthermore, they also depict how these times lead to opportunities of leadership, but also mass hysteria. Through both The Crucible and Year of Wonders, Miller and Brooks are able to demonstrate times of crisis, while beneficial to human progression, leads to the inevitable nature of humans, to divide and search for superiority.

Both texts demonstrate how times of crisis becomes catalysts for change, whether these be...