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Journal Topic for Tuesday, October 23rd

Journal Topic for Tuesday, October 23rd. What do you already know about Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible?”. McCarthy, Blacklists, HUAC and Arthur Miller (the guy who wrote the Crucible …). How can an author use a historical situation to illustrate a current problem?

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Journal Topic for Tuesday, October 23rd

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  1. Journal Topic for Tuesday, October 23rd • What do you already know about Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible?”

  2. McCarthy, Blacklists, HUAC and Arthur Miller (the guy who wrote the Crucible…) How can an author use a historical situation to illustrate a current problem? Why did Miller write this play in the 1950’s, hundreds of years after the historical Salem Witch trials?

  3. The Crucible • Written by Arthur Miller (1915-2005) • The Crucible was first staged at the Martin Beck Theater on Broadway on January 22, 1953 when Miller was 38 years old.

  4. Quick 20th century history lesson… • 1919 – Communists overthrow Czar of Russia • “October Revolution” led to growth of the USSR • Americans aware, but didn’t think it was important • American Communist Party created

  5. THEN CAME WWII… • Allies in WWII • Different political ideologies signaled beginning of COLD WAR • Became very unpopular to be Communist in America • Anyone who is or was Communist considered threat • Led to creation of HUAC

  6. What is HUAC? • HUAC stands for: • House UnAmericanActivities Committee. • Investigated everyone • 19 people named in Hollywood • Studios started creating Blacklists • People named and listed in hearings • Could not work anywhere

  7. Who was blacklisted? • Over 300 entertainers were placed on blacklists and one point or another, including: Charlie Chaplin (actor), Pete Seeger (folk singer), Richard Wright (writer), Dorothy Parker (writer), Leonard Berstein (movie composer).

  8. Then came 1950… • Joseph McCarthy elected • Previously unknown; became instant household name • Accused nearly everyone • Very rarely had evidence • Never proved plots to overthrow the country

  9. Eventually he targeted Arthur Miller • Established playwright • Married to Marilyn Monroe • Asked to name associates, but refused

  10. Parallels: 1950’s to the play • Communism = witchcraft • HUAC, and McCarthy = the court, and Reverend Parris • Proctor = Arthur Miller • Blacklists = list of condemned witches • McCarthy used his accusations for political and personal gain = Putnam and others used witchcraft hysteria for personal gain. Parris tried to hide behind his power.

  11. Endings… • McCarthy eventually lost power • Miller went on to be one of America’s most celebrated playwrights

  12. What really caused the witch hysteria? • Fungal poisoning!

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