1. Do Now What to you envision when you think of witches? Draw me a picture: using words or illustrations. What to you envision when you think of witches? Draw me a picture: using words or illustrations. What do they look like? What do they wear? What do they do? What do they look like? What do they wear? What do they do? Take 5-7 minutes to list as much information as you can. Take 5-7 minutes to list as much information as you can.

2. The Crucible By Arthur Miller Miss Zettlemoyer October 2009

3. The Crucible Written by Arthur Miller Written by Arthur Miller Fictional book that depicts historical event Fictional book that depicts historical event Salem Witch Hunts from 1692 Salem Witch Hunts from 1692 Puritans Puritans

4. Who are the Puritans? From England From England Settled in Salem, Massachusetts Settled in Salem, Massachusetts Moved for religious reasons Moved for religious reasons Believed they were God’s chosen people Believed they were God’s chosen people To practice their religion without suffering persecution To practice their religion without suffering persecution The Puritan culture attributed its hardships to the devil The Puritan culture attributed its hardships to the devil Thought witches were agents of the devil Thought witches were agents of the devil

5. Salem Witch Trials of 1692 Accused people in town of being witches Accused people in town of being witches June – September June – September 19 men and women were hanged at Gallows Hill (near Salem) 19 men and women were hanged at Gallows Hill (near Salem) 1 man was pressed to death for refusing to submit to a trial on witchcraft charges 1 man was pressed to death for refusing to submit to a trial on witchcraft charges Hundreds of other people faced accusations of witchcraft Hundreds of other people faced accusations of witchcraft Dozens suffered in jail without trials Dozens suffered in jail without trials

6. How did it start? Several girls in the village of Salem, Massachusetts became intrigued when a West Indian servant told them stories of magic and voodoo from her native land.Several girls in the village of Salem, Massachusetts became intrigued when a West Indian servant told them stories of magic and voodoo from her native land. Bored and restricted by the oppressive Puritan life, the girls slipped into the woods one night and “conjured” love charms and hexes.Bored and restricted by the oppressive Puritan life, the girls slipped into the woods one night and “conjured” love charms and hexes. One girl, Betty Parris, slipped into unconsciousness when her father caught them. She wouldn’t wake up, and this started the discussion of witchcraft. To avoid punishment, the girls created the story of the “witches” who made them dance and conjure the spells.One girl, Betty Parris, slipped into unconsciousness when her father caught them. She wouldn’t wake up, and this started the discussion of witchcraft. To avoid punishment, the girls created the story of the “witches” who made them dance and conjure the spells.

7. Why did it happen? It began as a way for the oppressed girls to avoid being punished It began as a way for the oppressed girls to avoid being punished Then it began an ideal way to get revenge on anyone whom you disliked Then it began an ideal way to get revenge on anyone whom you disliked People started accusing their neighbors of being witches so they could steal their farmland People started accusing their neighbors of being witches so they could steal their farmland People accused others of being witches if they wanted to steal their husbands or wives or possessions People accused others of being witches if they wanted to steal their husbands or wives or possessions

8. When did it end? Early autumn of 1692 Early autumn of 1692 Doubts began to develop concerning the validity of the charges Doubts began to develop concerning the validity of the charges Cases of Conscience Cases of Conscience argues that it “were better that ten suspected witches should escape than one innocent person should be condemned.” argues that it “were better that ten suspected witches should escape than one innocent person should be condemned.”

9. Would you confess? Claim Your Innocence Possession taken & sold Possession taken & sold Family left homeless Family left homeless No legacy for offspring No legacy for offspring Death by hanging Death by hangingConfess Name other witches Name other witches Retain your land & possessions Retain your land & possessions Live Live Think About It

10. Arthur Miller Born October 1915 in NYC Born October 1915 in NYC Died February 2005 Died February 2005 Variety of jobs as a young adult Variety of jobs as a young adult Truck driver Truck driver Radio singer Radio singer Car parts clerk Car parts clerk Attended U. of Michigan Attended U. of Michigan Journalism Journalism Play Writing Play Writing

11. Arthur Miller (not in notes) Plays/Awards Plays/Awards 1944 The Man Who Had All the Luck (poor review) 1944 The Man Who Had All the Luck (poor review) 1949 Death of a Salesman (NY Drama Critics Circle Award) 1949 Death of a Salesman (NY Drama Critics Circle Award) 1953 The Crucible 1953 The Crucible 1955 A Memory of Two Mondays 1955 A Memory of Two Mondays A View from the Bridge A View from the Bridge 1964 After the Fall 1964 After the Fall 1967 The Price 1967 The Price 1977 The Archbishop’s Ceiling 1977 The Archbishop’s Ceiling 1980 The American Clock 1980 The American Clock 1991 The Ride Down Mt. Morgan 1991 The Ride Down Mt. Morgan 1993 The Last Yankee 1993 The Last Yankee Broken Glass (Won Olivier Award for best play) Broken Glass (Won Olivier Award for best play)

12. Inspiration for The Crucible Lived during the 50’s Lived during the 50’s Experienced the Communist hysteria Experienced the Communist hysteria People thought communists were everywhere People thought communists were everywhere Senator Joseph McCarthy’s mission to find them Senator Joseph McCarthy’s mission to find them Wanted to destroy their lives by bringing them before the HUAC Wanted to destroy their lives by bringing them before the HUAC House Unamerican Activities Committee House Unamerican Activities Committee

13. Inspiration for The Crucible Senator Joseph McCarthy Senator Joseph McCarthy Accused many people (actors, military, writers) Accused many people (actors, military, writers) Held hearings where people were commanded to give names of other communists Held hearings where people were commanded to give names of other communists People were afraid they might be named a communist People were afraid they might be named a communist Called the RED SCARE (red = communist) Called the RED SCARE (red = communist)

14. Inspiration for The Crucible The Crucible was Miller’s way of protesting the HUAC hearings (he had to defend himself also) The Crucible was Miller’s way of protesting the HUAC hearings (he had to defend himself also) Compared the communist hearings to the witch hunts of Salem, when gossip, rumors, and fear were evidence enough to convict people Compared the communist hearings to the witch hunts of Salem, when gossip, rumors, and fear were evidence enough to convict people Like the witch trials, it was easier to admit guilt than maintain innocence Like the witch trials, it was easier to admit guilt than maintain innocence

15. Witch Hunt The term witch hunt now applies to any activity where people are looking for a scapegoat or where they are using accusations to get revenge or to get personal gain or attention. The term witch hunt now applies to any activity where people are looking for a scapegoat or where they are using accusations to get revenge or to get personal gain or attention.

16. Witch Hunts of 20 th Century NOW Using the definition of a witch hunt, think about other ‘witch hunts’. Using the definition of a witch hunt, think about other ‘witch hunts’. Get a partner and discuss your ideas. Get a partner and discuss your ideas. Share with the class. Share with the class.

17. Witch Hunts of 20 th Century The Holocaust The Holocaust Japanese-American Internment Camps Japanese-American Internment Camps African Americans (slavery/segregation) African Americans (slavery/segregation) Native Americans Native Americans Arab/Middle-Eastern decent Arab/Middle-Eastern decent Stereotypes Stereotypes

18. Remember… Be aware of false accusations Be aware of false accusations Rumors do harm Rumors do harm Integrity is key Integrity is key Not all things are as they seem Not all things are as they seem