1. Arthur Miller Author of The Crucible

2. Arthur Miller: A Life Born on October 17, 1915 Born on October 17, 1915 Attended the University of Michigan from 1934-1938 Attended the University of Michigan from 1934-1938 Graduated with a degree in journalism Graduated with a degree in journalism Wrote and produced five plays during college career Wrote and produced five plays during college career Married three times Married three times Two daughters, one son Two daughters, one son

4. What is communism? Communism - a government where people shared work fairly and were paid equally. Communism - a government where people shared work fairly and were paid equally. The word “Communism” comes from the Latin word “Communis” which means common or belonging to all. The word “Communism” comes from the Latin word “Communis” which means common or belonging to all.

5. Miller and HUAC Investigated for possible associations with the Communist party from 1953 to 1955 Investigated for possible associations with the Communist party from 1953 to 1955 In 1956, he was called to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC). In 1956, he was called to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC). Only attended meetings looking to advocate social justice and equality Only attended meetings looking to advocate social justice and equality When brought before the committee, he refused to name any other attendees. When brought before the committee, he refused to name any other attendees.

6. Miller and HUAC (cont.) Found guilty of contempt Found guilty of contempt Later released Later released

7. Hollywood Communism “My father was being hounded too. Because he had defended the Hollywood 10 and taken on numerous loyalty cases as well, he was labeled subversive. He was followed relentlessly by the FBI, and our phones remained tapped.” -- Patricia Bosworth “My father was being hounded too. Because he had defended the Hollywood 10 and taken on numerous loyalty cases as well, he was labeled subversive. He was followed relentlessly by the FBI, and our phones remained tapped.” -- Patricia Bosworth Hollywood stars were accused to be communists. They were blacklisted by studios.

8. The Red Scare A time of paranoia and hysteria over communism A time of paranoia and hysteria over communism Many government officials were involved or accused. Many government officials were involved or accused. Many writers, actors, and directors lost their jobs Many writers, actors, and directors lost their jobs Many named names to save their own careers Many named names to save their own careers

9. Salem, 1692

10. The Salem Witch Trials In 1692, twenty were executed; 150 were jailed. In 1692, twenty were executed; 150 were jailed. The Puritan culture attributed its hardships to the Devil. The Puritan culture attributed its hardships to the Devil. Several girls in the town began to have seizures and lapses of unconsciousness after seeking Tituba, a slave from Barbados, for fortunetelling. Several girls in the town began to have seizures and lapses of unconsciousness after seeking Tituba, a slave from Barbados, for fortunetelling.

11. The Salem Witch Trials (cont.) Tituba and two elderly women were accused at first; by the end, many of the community’s most prominent citizens were accused. Tituba and two elderly women were accused at first; by the end, many of the community’s most prominent citizens were accused. Overall nineteen were hanged, four accused died in prison, and one was pressed to death Overall nineteen were hanged, four accused died in prison, and one was pressed to death In 1706, Ann Putnam signs a letter of apology. In 1706, Ann Putnam signs a letter of apology.

12. Salem Witch Trials (cont.) Samuel Sewell was the only judge to apologize for actions. Samuel Sewell was the only judge to apologize for actions.

13. Possible Causes Hallucinations from spoiled food Hallucinations from spoiled food Boredom Boredom Strict society Strict society Social cleansing? Social cleansing? Land dispute Land dispute

14. Connections Miller wrote The Crucible as a metaphor for the Red Scare in the 1950’s. Miller wrote The Crucible as a metaphor for the Red Scare in the 1950’s. He felt there was a “witch hunt” within the government and beyond He felt there was a “witch hunt” within the government and beyond Like the witch trials, it was easier to admit guilt than maintain innocence. Like the witch trials, it was easier to admit guilt than maintain innocence. The play is widely performed when social unrest is present in a culture. The play is widely performed when social unrest is present in a culture.

15. Closing Thoughts Be aware of false accusations Be aware of false accusations Rumors do harm Rumors do harm Integrity is key Integrity is key Not all things are as they seem Not all things are as they seem

16. Puritan Beliefs and the Salem Witchcraft Trials

17. They wanted to reform their national church by eliminating every shred of Catholic influence They wanted to reform their national church by eliminating every shred of Catholic influence Their attempt to “purify” the Church of England and their own lives was based on the teachings of John Calvin Their attempt to “purify” the Church of England and their own lives was based on the teachings of John Calvin Left for America 1620 to escape religious persecution and established the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Left for America 1620 to escape religious persecution and established the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Who were the Puritans?

18. Total depravity: “In Adam’s fall we sinned all” Humankind is totally sinful through the fall of Adam and Eve and damned for eternity. Total depravity: “In Adam’s fall we sinned all” Humankind is totally sinful through the fall of Adam and Eve and damned for eternity. Predestination: You are “elect” (saved) or “unregenerate” (damned). Predestination: You are “elect” (saved) or “unregenerate” (damned). –Salvation belongs to the “elect”, or God’s chosen. No good works will help you become saved’; however, you must continue to do good works if you are one of the “elect.” Limited atonement: Christ died only for the “elect”. Limited atonement: Christ died only for the “elect”. Grace: You could feel God’s grace in an intense emotional fashion. After receiving grace, you were “reborn” have thenceforth full power to do the will of God and the ability to live uprightly to the end. Grace: You could feel God’s grace in an intense emotional fashion. After receiving grace, you were “reborn” have thenceforth full power to do the will of God and the ability to live uprightly to the end. Puritan Beliefs

19. The Puritan community was a theocracy, a government which blends church and state. The church’s officials were the government’s officials. Thus, church and state were not separate. The Puritan community was a theocracy, a government which blends church and state. The church’s officials were the government’s officials. Thus, church and state were not separate. –City upon a Hill Theory: That the new MA Colony would be a place of complete reform (utopia) where God would be found in scripture and a strong work ethic. Puritan Beliefs Cont.

20. Theological Studies Theological Studies Hymns Hymns Histories Histories Biographies Biographies Autobiographies Autobiographies * Religion dominated writings like it dominated their lives. The purpose was to provide insight and instruction. When they wrote for themselves, their aim was a serious kind of self-examination. * They did not produce fiction nor drama because they regarded both as sinful. What did they typically write?

21. What do we know about the Salem Witchcraft Trials?

22. How it started... Betty Parris became strangely ill. She dashed about, dove under furniture, contorted in pain, and complained of fever. The cause of her symptoms may have been some combination of stress, asthma, guilt, boredom, child abuse, epilepsy, and delusional psychosis. Talk of witchcraft increased when other playmates of Betty, including eleven-year-old Ann Putnam, seventeen-year-old Mercy Lewis, and Mary Walcott, began to exhibit similar unusual behavior. A doctor called to examine the girls, suggested that the girls' problems might have a supernatural origin. The widespread belief that witches targeted children made the doctor's diagnosis seem increasingly likely.

23. Spectral Evidence “ “ The girls contorted into grotesque poses, fell down into frozen postures, and complained of biting and pinching sensations. In a village where everyone believed that the devil was real, close at hand, and acted in the real world, the suspected affliction of the girls became an obsession.” Douglas Linder

24. The Trials By the end of 1692, over 200 people were jailed and standing accused of witchcraft.

25. Nineteen men and women were hanged, all having been convicted of witchcraft Nineteen men and women were hanged, all having been convicted of witchcraft Another man of over eighty years was pressed to death under heavy stones for refusing to submit to a trial on witchcraft charges Another man of over eighty years was pressed to death under heavy stones for refusing to submit to a trial on witchcraft charges Many languished in jail for months without trials Many languished in jail for months without trials At least four died in prison At least four died in prison Hysteria Strikes

26. 1. Doubts grow when respected citizens are convicted and executed. -------Rebecca Nurse (jury first acquits, then told to reconsider) -------George Burroughs (recites Lord's Prayer perfectly at hanging) 2. Accusations of witchcraft include the powerful and well- connected. 2. Accusations of witchcraft include the powerful and well- connected. -------Wife of Governor Phips (and others) Why the Hysteria Ended

27. The Crucible by Arthur Miller

28. We begin with a play, set in America. We begin with a play, set in America. Arthur Miller’s drama The Crucible has its feet in two eras of time, Puritanical New England Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and Cold War Washington of the 1950’s. Miller presents America’s deepest past in order to make a modern point. He saw that, as the saying goes, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Arthur Miller’s drama The Crucible has its feet in two eras of time, Puritanical New England Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and Cold War Washington of the 1950’s. Miller presents America’s deepest past in order to make a modern point. He saw that, as the saying goes, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Setting

29. How the play begins... Group of girls caught dancing in woods with Tituba Group of girls caught dancing in woods with Tituba Among the group is the Daughter of Rev. Parris and the daughter of Thomas and Anne Putnam Among the group is the Daughter of Rev. Parris and the daughter of Thomas and Anne Putnam Girls feign sickness and possession Girls feign sickness and possession Both families demand that the possessors be found and punished Both families demand that the possessors be found and punished