Final answer:
Miller's use of nonstandard language in the portrayal of Giles Corey characterizes him as an outsider and captures the hysteria of the Salem witch trials, while also commenting on the McCarthy era's suppression of dissent.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Arthur Miller's play, the use of nonstandard language in the depiction of Giles Corey's character is purposeful and revealing. Nonstandard language here serves to illustrate Corey's unique personality and his status as an outsider, and it also echoes the hysteria of the Salem witch trials showing how ordinary individuals could be pulled into a frenzy of accusation and defense.
By employing language in this way, Miller draws parallels between the Salem witch trials and the McCarthy era 'witch hunts', underscoring the difficulty for accused individuals to defend themselves against baseless charges. This technique also emphasizes the way dissent was silenced, as an accusation alone was enough to put someone's reputation, and even life, on the line.
Miller's choice of language in Corey's character thereby not only helps to flesh out the individual within the play but also acts as a broader comment on the dynamics of suspicion and the consequences of paranoia.