1. The Crucible
Background

2. The Crucible is . . . Puritanism + Witchcraft McCarthyism
Arthur Miller

3. The Salem Witch Trials of 1692
Because of the harsh conditions the Puritans endured, there was safety in numbers.
This caused a fear of anything different than the common belief
The causes included politics, religion, family feuds, economics, and the imaginations and fears of the people.

4. Arthur Miller the Playwright
Wrote such famous plays as The Death of a Salesman and The Misfits
Wrote The Crucible in 1953
Married to Marilyn Monroe

5. Arthur Miller the Communist?
In 1956 and 1957, Miller was subpoenaed by the House Un-American Activities Committee and was convicted of contempt of Congress
Miller refused to identify writers believed to hold Communist sympathies.
In 1958 Court of Appeals overturned his conviction

6. The Witch Hunt of the 1950s
Senator John McCarthy headed a department called the House Un-American Activities Committee
He claimed that he had a list of “members of the Communist party and members of a spy ring”
His reign of terror was a modern day “Witch Hunt” known as the “Red Scare” or “McCarthyism”

7. Communist Connection to Salem Witch Trials
Miller saw a parallel between his experience with the “Red Scare” of the 1950s and the witch hunts and trials of Salem, Mass in 1692

8. Comparison between the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism:
Suspension of rational judgment
People who challenged the authority of the court soon found themselves under suspicion of guilt
Conscience was no longer a private matter but one of state administration

9. Why Miller Wrote “The Crucible”

10. Drama Basics
Drama is a form of literature that is written to be preformed before an audience.
Tragedy unveils the downfall of a main character in a serious tone.
Comedy is often light and humorous.

11. Drama Basics
Plot- Related events that make up the story. In a drama, the plot is developed in a series of acts that are made up of scenes, with each scene establishing a different time and place (setting). The plot is brought to life through the words and actions of the characters, the individuals who participate in the action. The conversation between characters is called dialogue. An aside occurs when a chacter says something loud enough for the audience to hear but the other characters pretend not to hear.

12. Drama Basics
The central character of the play is the protagonist; he or she is deeply involved in the conflict and may change because of it. A character who opposes the protagonist is the antagonist.
A foil is a minor character who contrasts the personality of the protagonist.
Theme is the moral or lesson about life that is being presented.

13. Themes in The Crucible Hypocrisy
Individual vs. the community (unity and exclusion)
Authority
Greed
Justice vs. retribution and revenge
Godliness vs. worldliness
Ignorance vs. wisdom
The Puritan Myth
Order vs. Individual Freedom
It is also a story about the struggle between good and evil inside the heart of one man.

14. What does “crucible” mean?
a vessel of a very refractory material (as porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat
a severe test
a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development

16. Character Introduction
Abigail Williams:
Leader of the group of girls
Having an affair with John Proctor
Smart, manipulative, jealous

17. Character Introduction
John Proctor:
Farmer
Married, but having an affair with Abigail
Proud and (usually) honest

18. Character Introduction
Elizabeth Proctor:
John Proctor’s wife
Moral and honest
Sometimes seen as “cold”

19. Character Introduction
The Girls:
Betty Parris: Daughter of the town minister
Ruth Putnam: Daughter of a wealthy, greedy landowner
Mary Warren: Servant of the Proctors
Mercy Lewis: Servant of the Putnams

20. Character Introduction
Reverend Parris:
Town minister
Paranoid
Concerned with what others think of him
Abigail’s uncle

21. Character Introduction
John Hale:
“Expert” on witchcraft
Asked to come to Salem for his knowledge
Intelligent and logical

22. Character Introduction
Tituba:
Slave from Barbados
Performs voodoo
Accused of witchcraft

23. Minor Characters Giles Corey Rebecca Nurse
Older man who is pressed to death
Outspoken
Files lawsuits frequently
Rebecca Nurse
Kind, older woman accused of witchcraft
Very moral and sensible

24. Minor Characters Thomas Putnam Wealthy Landowner Greedy, nosy
Ann Putnam
- “Haunted” and “twisted soul” due to losing seven children in infancy.
Blames others for her misfortune

25. Minor Characters Francis Nurse Serves as unofficial judge for disputes
Self-made man
Martha Corey
Giles’ third wife
Her enjoyment of reading leads to her accusation of witchcraft.

26. Minor Characters Deputy Governor Danforth Great respect for the court
True Puritan
He believes he is doing what is right according to God
Judge Hathorne
- Presides over the witch trials
- Quick to judgment
- Partial and unfair

27. Minor Characters Ezekiel Cheever Clerk of the court
Determined to perform his duty