1. The Crucible by Arthur Miller

2. The Author’s Life Arthur Miller Born in New York City in 1915 Moved to Brooklyn when his father’s business failed during the Wall St. Crash of 1929 Had no money for college after graduating high school because of the Great Depression Went to University of Michigan and paid for his tuition with menial jobs

3. College & Early Career Originally majored in Journalism & worked on the student newspaper Got his Bachelor’s Degree in English in 1938 Later in 1938, Miller joined the Federal Theatre Project, a New Deal project 1948 wrote Death of A Salesman which won a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize and ran for 742 performances, he wrote the play in six weeks Married Mary Slattery in 1940 and had two children, Jane and Robert –Robert (his son) becomes a director, writer, and eventually produces the 1996 film version of The Crucible

4. Some More Life Divorced Slattery in 1956 and married Marilyn Monroe

5. History of The Crucible In 1952 Elia Kazan (a friend of Miller’s who directed his play Death of a Salesman) was called before the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) headed by Senator Joseph McCarthy –Under fear of being blacklisted from Hollywood, Kazan named 8 people from the Group Theatre that had been a part of the Communist Party along with him Miller talked to Kazan about his experience then he went to Salem, Massachusetts to research the witch trials The Crucible first appeared on stage in January 1953. After it’s release, HUAC “investigated” Miller and even took away his passport. He couldn’t attend the London opening of his play in 1954.

6. More on Miller’s Life Eventually the case against Miller was overturned and HUAC reissued Miller his passport. The Crucible is an allegorical play and it likens the situation with the House Un-American Activities Committee to the witch hunts in Salem Miller’s experience with HUAC affected him throughout his life. Miller has been called “the last great practitioner of the American stage” & one of the greatest playwrights of the 20 th Century

7. Characters Betty Parris & Abigail Williams –Cousins –Betty is 9 years old –Abigail is 11 years old –In the play, Abigail is around 16 years old –Both lived with Reverend Parris –They were the accusers –They had spasms in which they: 1.Went into convulsions 2.Barked like dogs 3.Howled 4.Began itching or freezing

8. Characters Continued Reverend Parris –Widower –In his mid 40s –Minister of Salem –Massive control freak Tituba - African American (her tribe came from the West Indies) -She was a slave “owned” by Reverend Parris -Believed that she had special powers…reading the future

9. More Characters John Proctor -Was really in his 60s but Miller has him be in his mid-40s for the play -Known for being a religious man -Well respected farmer & community member -Husband to Elizabeth Proctor Elizabeth Proctor (Goody Proctor) -Married to John -Known for being a very upstanding woman Reverend Hale –He is the one hired to come into Salem to figure out if Satan is behind all the commotion