The Crucible by Arthur Miller

The Crucibleby Arthur Miller

Crucible: A severe test Several Characters in this story face a severe test (test of ones beliefs and values.) Journal Prompt: Write about a severe test you have faced in your life.

The Crucible: by Arthur Miller Written in 1953. Story is based on actual facts.

Arthur Miller • Born 1915-wrote many plays and stories • 1947- “All My Sons” • 1949- “Death of a Salesman” (Won a Pullitzer Prize) • 1953- “The Crucible” • 1955 – “A View from the Bridge • Married Marilyn Monroe-his second wife • 1961: Wrote and produced the movie “The Misfits” for Marilyn.

Joseph McCarthy Senator in the 1950’s Claimed State Dept. had communists (FDR, Truman) Attracted a very large following Caused for the formation of the “Un-American Activities Committee” to investigate people suspected of Communism. Believed theatre/film industry had many communists

McCarthy Communism: is the belief that the person who is productive is most important (everyone works for government and paid equally). Because Arthur Miller often focused on the concern for the fate of the common man in his works, he was linked to communism. Many people were subpoenaed and questioned on live television. Because of this publicity, even if an individual was found innocent, the accusation in itself ruined their reputation. Arthur Miller wrote “The Crucible” as retaliation for his playwright friends who were being accused of communism.

“McCarthyism” Joseph McCarthy and his highly publicized attacks, usually based on ridiculous charges, was a way to discredit someone What do you think the connection is between the McCarthy Trials and the Salem Witch Trials?

Setting What does Realm of the Devil mean? • Salem, Massachusetts • 1692. • A small town surrounded by forests. • The forests were considered the “Realm of the Devil” in Colonial America.

Synopsis Salem is swept by hysterical fear of witchcraft. Young girls are intrigued by the fascinating stories of witchcraft told by a woman named Tituba (Reverand Parris’s slave from Barbados) The Girls’ interest in these stories grow and to avoid punishment when they are caught, the girls accuse Tituba of Witchcraft.

Tituba confesses and starts to name other women of witchcraft. • The young girls that were listening, start to accuse others for 2 reasons. • For attention • To protect themselves from getting into trouble. • Over 100 people were arrested • Nineteen people were hanged • Twenty years later, the Massachusetts Legislature annulled the convictions.

The Motive for Accusing Others Vengeance-public confession ruined a person’s reputation. GREED! Jealousy over land ownership

Puritan Religion Believed in Covenant of Grace: covenant of grace promises eternal life for all people who receive forgiveness of sin through Christ. Man was born sinful. Believed individuals were pre-determined as to whether they were going to heaven or hell. Very strict-no dancing, no card playing, no drinking Church and State were one-Theocracy

Literary Terms Antecedent Action: Action that takes place before the scene begins. Motives of Characters: reasons for a character’s actions Tragic Hero: bring about his own downfall Hamartia: Greek word for “tragic flaw” Protagonist: hero of the story Antagonist: villain or force against whom/which the hero struggles

The Salem Witch Trials • Salem village puritans believed women were more prone to be possessed by the devil. • Bridget Bishop: the first victim (first accused and hung) in the Salem Witch Trials • Dorkus Good: youngest accused (4 years old) • She only confessed because her mother was accused as well and she wanted to be with her mother in prison.

Ways to Determine a Witch Devils Mark Swimming a Witch: It was believed that water rejected servants of the devil and that if a suspected person floated and refused to sink when placed in water it was proof of guilt. Torture

Tituba Tituba was an actual person: she was a slave for a Puritan family and she was telling voodoo stories to young girls.

Spectral Evidence Evidence only the accuser can see. This type of evidence was very popular in the Salem Witch Trials because the girls would “see” their accuser flying over barns or flying out windows. But it was ONLY the person that was accusing someone of witchcraft could see them do these things.

The Innocent To be found innocent of witchcraft, a confession from the person being acussed was the only way to survive. People from the Puritan religion believed that if you confessed to a sin, it was God’s decision to forgive.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller