The Crucible highlights the tendency in America to witch-hunt.  Miller's play came at an appropriate time in history.  Once again, the court system was failing to safeguard our system of justice by allowing the HUAC to proceed in its witch-hunt for communists.  The accused in Salem were essentially condemned before they went to trial.  Those who decided to live by admitting to witchcraft were ostracized by society much as those thought to be communists were blacklisted.  People as a group can get caught up in the moment and act in an irrational manner.  The events in Salem are a solemn reminder of what can happen when we allow ourselves to be carried along with the crowd.  We must think hard about how we can preserve our system of justice so as not to risk repeating such an awful moment in history.