While reading Act I of The Crucible, I couldn't help but draw a parallel between their views and the present-day views of Americans. The literature states, “…while there were no witches then, there are Communists and capitalists now, and in each camp there is a certain proof that spies of each side are at work undermining the other" (33). The idea that each group works to undermine another was ever-present then and continues to be ever-present today. Especially in America, where competition can be found at its nastiest.
There is a need, in America, to be the best. To be at the top. This mentality is seen everywhere: schools, workplaces, social groups. The list goes on. A little competition is healthy. It pushes people to do their best, but when competitors cross the line into being underminers, we run into a problem.
The problem is this: America calls itself a safe environment where everybody can succeed and everybody is a winner. The truth is that there are only a select few who can succeed. Survival of the fittest, if you will. People come to America expecting a fair fight to the top, but like The Crucible says, "spies of each side are at work undermining the other."
A clear example of this is seen in political campaigns. Take the campaign ad seen at the bottom left targeting President Obama in the 2008 election.
Notice the small caption at the bottom that says, "PAID FOR BY JOHN MCCAIN." This shows the slandering of a name in order to reach the top. If people running for the highest office in the United States can't even play nice, how can students and business people be expected to?
While reading The Crucible, i made connections to our country today as well. I think that competition has always been 'in our genes' in America. I have always wondered when this need to be the best started, and why. I guess the answer is that it has always been like that, and it's just part of who we are as a country.
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