Characters and Plot: The characters in The Crucible are fictional, created by Miller to convey themes and allegories about McCarthyism and the "Red Scare" of the 1950s. The play's plot is also dramatized and simplified for dramatic effect, focusing on specific characters and their interactions.
Accusations and Hysteria: In the play, the accusations of witchcraft quickly spread throughout the community, leading to a hysteria that results in the deaths of innocent people. While there was certainly hysteria and false accusations during the Salem witch trials, the extent and speed at which they occur in the play are exaggerated for dramatic purposes.
Underlying Tensions: The play presents the Salem community as a place rife with conflicts, personal grudges, and social tensions. These underlying issues contribute to the escalation of the witch trials, as people use accusations as a means to settle scores or gain power. In reality, while there were personal conflicts in Salem, the witch trials were not primarily driven by such motives.
Legal Proceedings: The legal procedures depicted in The Crucible are not entirely accurate compared to the actual Salem witch trials. In the play, the accused individuals are often denied proper legal representation, and the trials are conducted in a highly emotional and irrational manner. In reality, the legal process during the Salem witch trials was more formal, with accused individuals having the right to legal representation and a chance to defend themselves.
Social Commentary: The Crucible serves as a social commentary on the dangers of mass hysteria, false accusations, and the abuse of power. Miller wrote the play as an allegory to criticize the "witch hunt" mentality of the McCarthy era in the United States. The play's themes and messages may not directly reflect the historical context of the Salem witch trials.
In essence, The Crucible is a fictionalized work that uses the Salem witch trials as a backdrop to explore broader themes and criticisms of society, while the actual Salem witch trials were specific historical events with their own unique circumstances and dynamics.