1. The Crucible By Arthur Miller

2. Setting Small town 17 th Century Massachusetts During The Salem Witch Trials Salem is East of present day Boston Hardships for colonists: harsh, cold winters; outbreaks of disease; fail of crops; fires; attacks from Indians and pirates

3. Brainstorm What does the word “witch” mean to you? Write down all words/phrases that you associate with the term witch

4. Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692, village of Salem, Mass. Hysteria sets in over fear that there were “witches among them” Hundreds were accused of being a witch Over 150 jailed; at least 20 died Hysteria lasted less than a year This is where phrase “witch hunt” originated

5. Puritanism Most intellectual of the colonists; many were university graduates Goal: to educate, to understand, and to execute God’s will throughout the colonies Beliefs: grace, plainness, divine mission Fled Europe because of persecution from Church of England; came to America to start own religion free from persecution Also believe in theocracy– government that was totally controlled by the church Life is a test: success= heavenly bliss; failure= eternal damnation and hellfire Very strict: no dancing; game playing Worst sin= commit adultery Key– Puritans looking for reasons beyond their control; blame the devil for their hardships; evil forces responsible for their suffering

6. Plot Summary Feud between the Putnam and the Nurse families Both are wealthy land owners Nurse family highly respected in town Main issue: each family supports a different minister Proctor family chose to worship in their own house; viewed church as too materialistic, drifting from main purpose Proctors’ actions led to them being outcasts

7. Themes Pride Revenge Reputation Fear Conflict of authority Puritan Ethics Self interest Honesty Intolerance

8. McCarthyism Late 1940s-mid to late 1950s Intense anti-Communism suspicion; more than 200 people accused Named for leader of investigations: Joseph McCarthy– Senator from Wisconsin Focused mainly on those in government, entertainment, but could be anyone Evidence usually inconclusive, questionable Arthur Miller one of those accused Inspired writing of The Crucible

9. Brainstorm McCarthyism caused mass hysteria in the United States What does “mass hysteria” mean to you? Write down what it means to you and examples of it

10. Arthur Miller Born 1915, New York City Attended University of Michigan where he first began to write plays; graduated 1938 First Broadway play 1944: The Man Who Had All the Luck Wrote some of best work next: All My Sons, Death of a Salesman, The Crucible Successful in work; personal life miserable 1955, divorced; 1956, accused of being a Communist Very colorful person; lived celebrity life Married Marilyn Monroe, 1956; divorced 5 years later Won Pulitzer Prize for Death of a Salesman, 1949 Common Theme in his works: common people against the world and society Continued writing until 1980 Died, 2005