Miller calls his introduction to the play "An Overture," a word that usually refers to the orchestral introduction of a musical work but that also means "a proposal." He first provides a note on the historical accuracy of the play, saying that he has taken some liberties by combining characters or changing their ages.
Explanation:
The overture implies that human nature has a tendency to conform as people would rather compromise their principles than to be killed. Also, the overture implies that people fear the unknown; to be specific, members of the Puritan society fear the idea of some members being possessed by the devil or satanic spirit.
