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Fires Within Fires

Fires Within Fires. The Crucible. I . Arthur Miller (1915-2005) . Grew up during Depression; saw America at its lowest. Won Pulitzer for Death of a Salesman Associated with many communists and was put on trial before House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

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Fires Within Fires

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  1. Fires Within Fires The Crucible

  2. I. Arthur Miller (1915-2005) • Grew up during Depression; saw America at its lowest. • Won Pulitzer for Death of a Salesman • Associated with many communists and was put on trial before House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) • Married Marilyn Monroe; divorced her just prior to her death • Was an atheist Modernist Atheist Communist

  3. II. Historical Context • 1950’s “Red Scare” • Senator McCarthy targeted numerous celebrities, government employees, and rival politicians and accused them of being communists. In 1950, Joseph McCarthy claimed 205 communists were working in the State Department • Went too far when he turned on the military • Miller himself is blacklisted by H.U.A.C. after first production of The Crucible It All Goes Wrong: Army-McCarthy Hearing McCarthy

  4. "Are We Lost?"

  5. III. Themes • The abuse of power and manipulation of citizens by fear is timeless • Puritan Witch Trials = McCarthyism = Post 9-11 Paranoia • Any means to a desired end • Absurdity of organized religion • Faith presented as a weapon of fear • Miller’s atheism seen through mockery of religious figures in play

  6. III. Themes (cont.) C. Honor and integrity can exist in the midst of chaos and destruction 1. John Proctor 2. Giles Corey Both men flawed, imperfect, and destroyed, but refuse to compromise their values.

  7. IV. Modernist Qualities • Conflict of individual vs. society • “Making New” a classic story to teach a contemporary lesson • Rejection of realist belief that heroes cannot exist – there is hope and redemption, even in failure

  8. V. Significance of title • Crucible = device which, using heat and pressure, melts metals down to their base elements. • American Society = like a crucible. A man’s individuality and honor are determined by how they respond to the test.

  9. VI. Are We Lost? • Most essential question of Miller’s work. • Like Hale and Proctor, Miller views American society as “bewildered” • Miller believes America can be “found” again within a new, individualistic, and honorable hope. “Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets.”

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