1. The writer asserts, "The phenomenon has been observed for centuries, with the blame shifting to whatever specific anxieties are culturally pervasive at the time." Which of the following best describes the
culturally pervasive anxieties Arthur Miller represents in "The Crucible?"
a. A fear of fungus on crops and the stress of church politics
b. Paranoia of witchcraft and the devil and a fear of Communism
C. Anxiety about outside attacks from Native Americans
d. Fear of one's neighbors

The statement which best describes the  culturally pervasive anxieties Arthur Miller represents in "The Crucible" is:

According to the given question, we are asked to show the detail which best describes the  culturally pervasive anxieties which Arthur Miller represents in "The Crucible".

As a result of this, we can see that the best description of the culturally pervasive anxieties Arthur Miller represents in "The Crucible" is that of fear of witchcraft and that of Communism.

This was especially pronounced as anyone accused of witchcraft would be treated like a leper and if the person was found guilty, would be sentenced to death, while Americans had a fear of Communism generally which was no thanks to the McCarthyism of that era.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B

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b. Paranoia of witchcraft and the devil and a fear of Communism

Explanation:

The Crucible was written by Arthur Miller at a time when American Senator  Joseph McCarthy riled the nation up with unfounded rumours of Communist spies and sympathizers having infiltrated American society.

In the Crucible, the anxiety considered to be culturally pervasive was witchcraft and the fear of the devil and these were extensively blamed by characters for mishaps that occurred so much so that there was no trust amongst them.

This was an allegory for the fear of Communism in the time the play was written to show that people will shift blames to whatever anxiety they view as pervasive in the era they are in.