What is the theme in Scoundrel Time by Lillian Hellman?

Another theme would be an atmosphere of fear. During the late-'40's and early-'50's, the US government began targeting for investigation private citizens whom they considered Communists or Communist-leaning. Since many Hollywood actors, directors and writers were liberal or progressive in their political beliefs, it was thought by government officials that they could be vulnerable to recruitment efforts by the Russians. These internal, domestic operatives could destroy America from within.