1. Historical Background
The Crucible
Historical Background

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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
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”

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

6. 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

7. Salem Witch Trials a brief history

8. 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

9. 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