"The Crucible" setting (5)
I believe the answer is:
'the crucible setting' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for salem that I've seen before include "Massachusetts city, scene of witch hunt" , "trial scene" , "Capital of Oregon, USA" , "Source of witch-hunt" , "Location of US witch trials" .)