Historical Background The Crucible Historical Background

Introduction Arthur Miller, a liberal Hollywood writer, describes the atmosphere of fear and hysteria of the 50s in Cold War America through this allegory set in 17th Century Salem, Massachusetts. In 1692, Salem was rocked by accusations, hysteria and betrayal, when many of the townspeople were accused of witchcraft. Miller uses this backdrop to comment on the hysteria and terror of the “Red Scare” in 1950s America, and the resulting ‘witch hunts’ that took place on Capitol Hill

20th Century Cold War Post WWII, refugees from Russia and other eastern European countries come to America, bringing in their cultures and ideals – including communism Immediately, these ideals are pitted against American ideals of republicanism, democracy, and free enterprise Leads to the ‘Cold War’ between the Communist Soviet Union and the United States Discovery of Russian Spies in America –Soviet agents steal classified intel and build their own atomic weapon

20th Century cont. Joseph McCarthy – Republican Senator, severe anti-communist Claims to have a list of Soviet agents who need to be investigated Head the House Unamerican Activities Committee 1953-1957 Investigations McCarthy seeks out community sympathizers Liberals and other leftists hunted and brought to Washington for trial People inform on each other to avoid deportation and other reprisals Leads to blacklisting in Hollywood and other big industries and modern day ‘witch hunts”

The Red Scare, McCarthyism, and the House Unamerican Activities Committee

17th Century Salem Witch Trials – 1692 Several young girls get very ill, and nothing seems to make them better Illness is thought to be work of the devil Fear of the devil’s presence leads to accusations of witchcraft Puritan religious government convicts 19 people of witchcraft Executions – people are executed in many different ways Hanged Pressed Burned at the stake dunking

Salem Witch Trials a brief history

Literary Analysis Irony Situational – when the opposite of what is expected occurs Dramatic – when the audience knows more than the characters in the play Verbal – when what is said is the opposite of what is meant. Allegory -  story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one Conflict Internal – problems with the self, motivated by conscience, morals, or fears External – problems with outside forces including other people, nature, situations Allusions Literary – references to other literature, requires knowledge of the original work to understand Biblical – reference to biblical situations or history

Literary Analysis Motifs - a distinctive feature or dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition Empowerment Who has power? How did they get it? What do they do with it? Accusations/Confessions Reasons for accusation Reasons for confession Legal proceedings Manipulation of proceedings Faulty logic Characterization Direct – stated directly, explicit description of character including physical description and personality traits Indirect – must be inferred from words, actions, and character choices Themes – main or recurring ideas in a narrative Effects of intolerance Hysteria Importance of reputation betrayal Symbolism – when objects or situations stand for both themselves and something else The devil Trials Innocence Name/reputation