The era of McCarthyism from 1945 to 1963 was a period of great tension and fear in American history. The emotions of society influenced the writing of this era, resulting in two of the most powerful plays ever written: Inherit the Wind and The Crucible. These stories reflect the attitudes and personalities of what was prevalent in the world at the time they were written. Inherit the Wind, written by Robert E. Lee and ___ Lawrence, features an array of characters who reflect the world during McCarthyism. The greatest similarity between Inherit the Wind and its historical context is evident in the character of Brady and the personality of Senator Joseph McCarthy. Joseph McCarthy demonstrated a compelling style when he delivered speeches that came to define an era. According to historians, “…his current path was that of righteousness. his performance was emphatic and powerful. His fist pounded the pulpit and his voice rumbled with vigilance. In the play, Brady seems to reflect Miller's impression of McCarthy. When he is about to give a speech, Brady's charismatic quality is described to the reader: "[Brady] seems to carry with him a built-in spotlight...[Brady] raises his hand. obediently, the crowd falls into a hushed and impatient silence. » (Lawrence, Lee 19) Brady's power as a public figure mimics Joseph McCarthy's unequivocal strength as an orator. McCarthy's image in history is known to be one of immense power and manipulation of the emotions of the masses. The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, has similarities to its historical context that lie in Salem's attitude. From...... middle of paper ......the moral of these plays is an era of tension and fear. Inherit the Wind's character Brady reflects McCarthy's power and charisma, while the town of Hillsboro reflects the atmosphere of suspicion surrounding a constantly recurring topic. The Crucible parallels usually involve similar hysteria from contrasting societies. There is no doubt that both stories were marked by their historical context. Works Cited “McCarthyism and “The Great Fear” framing the climate of Cold War America. Joseph McCarthy as epithet of an era. n. page. Print. Secondary. “Superbomb race. The Korean War | PBS. » People and events. American experience. Internet. November 18, 2013. .Schwartz, Dr. Fred. “On brainwashing and language.” You can trust communists (to be communists). Long Beach, California: 1960. Primary.