Arthur Miller American playwright, essayist, short story writer, journalist and screenplay writer

Introduction Born in 1915, Harlem, New York Son of Polish immigrants Isidore and Augusta Miller. His father was a prosperous shopkeeper who was ruined in the Wall Street crash of 1929. The sudden change in fortune had a strong influence on Miller. Miller worked a variety of jobs before his admission in the University of Michigan to study journalism. He graduated in 1938. It was during this time he wrote his first play No Villain, produced in 1936. Miller wrote plays for the federal theatre in 1939. Miller had written a novel entitled Focus in 1945. Died in 2005, Roxbury, Connecticut, United States

Miller’s famous plays All my Sons, 1947 Death of a Salesman, 1949 The Crucible, 1953 A view from the Bridge, 1955 The Price, 1968 Fame, 1970 The American Clock, 1980 Broken Glass, 1994 Finishing the Picture, 2004

Awards University of Michigan Hopwood Award for Creative Writing, No Villain (1936) New York Drama Circle Critic’s Award, All My Sons (1947) Pulitzer Prize, Death of a Salesman (1949) Tony Award, Death of a Salesman (1949) Tony Award, The Crucible (1953)

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible What is the Crucible ? The Crucible is taken from Salem Witch Trials, 1692 -- - a small group of girls in Salem fell ill, falling victim to delirium and physical convulsions. - in Puritan New England, such occurrences were often ascribed to the Devil - Old grudges spilled out into the open and the Government and the Judges soon became involved - Many people were in jail on charges of witchcraft. 19 people were hanged

Cont.… The word crucible is defined as a severe test. Throughout The Crucible, characters face severe tests that make them question their own self. A Crucible is also an earthen pot that is used for melting metals. In a way the town of Salem was a crucible as people as people were brought before the court and blasted with allegations from others as being witches. They were forced to give in or live a lie or be hanged. The crucible could also be used to describe the heat of the situation. Innocent people were caught up in the witch hunt and thrown into an overheated situation. The crucible is also a metaphor for the anti-communist craze of America, led by senator Joseph McCarthy who gained power by accusing others of subversion. He denounced his political foes as ‘soft on communism’.

Cont.…. Miller himself was questioned by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Un- American Activities in 1956 and convicted of contempt of congress for refusing to identify others present at meeting he had attended. History repeats itself - Reverend Samuel Parris’s daughter, Betty, Abigail Williams and several girls in Salem suffered from mysterious illness - The puritans of Salem were quick to believe that these were symptoms of witchcraft. - Interpersonal feuds over property, religious offices and personal rivalries provide the raw materials for the hysteria of the witch trials. - The true meaning of crucible was a severe test for John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse and Giles Corey who were executed for witchcraft by the court.