The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and the Crucible

1. The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and the Crucible “’…I am wronged. It is a shameful thing that you should mind these folks that are out of their wits.” --Martha Carrier Hanged August 19, 1692

2. Arthur Miller (1915 - 2005) • Lived in New York City at time of death • Greatest works include The Crucible and Death of a Salesman • Miller focuses on the tragedy of the common man • Writings reflect on injustice (Miller was involved in social causes)

3. Arthur Miller (1915 - 2005) • Miller dropped out of high school but later went to University of Michigan • Miller was brought to court and questioned about his involvement in Communism. He was thought to be a communist and, like many, was caught up in the Senator Joseph McCarthy’s “Red Scare” • Miller was married to Marilyn Monroe (movie star)

4. Facts about the Salem Witch Trials • Over 150 tried for witchcraft • 20 people killed (19 hanged, 1 pressed to death) • Many more confessed • Many more were jailed

5. Facts about the Salem Witch Trials • Later the government gave money to heirs and published statements saying “not true” • Judge Samuel Sewall, a judge at the witchcraft trials, later said he was wrong for participating • Cotton Mather, Puritan preacher, did much to arouse the people against witches

6. Facts about The Crucible • Written in 1953 • Set in the Puritan village of Salem, Massachusetts • Occurs in spring, 1692 • A crucible means • Vessel made of ceramic materials used for melting materials at high temperatures • In the play, it means a severe test or trial

7. Information regarding the Puritan’s concept of the devil and witchcraft • God • Is all powerful • Punishes the wicked and unjust

8. The Devil Is real Called Satan, Prince of Darkness, Lucifer Exists and works in the world Can take various forms (person, animal, etc.) Exists to separate people from God and overthrow good Lives in the woods Provides temptations Causes people to be full of fear Information regarding the Puritan’s concept of the devil and witchcraft

9. Information regarding the Puritan’s concept of the devil and witchcraft • Witches • Are real • Are helpers of the Devil and do the Devil’s work • Are not just female; can be male or animal

10. Information regarding the Puritan’s concept of the devil and witchcraft • Bible quote: “Thou shall not suffer a witch to live” • Exodus 22:18 • In other words, the Puritans felt it was their religious duty to kill a witch so that he or she would not have to suffer being a witch)

11. Information regarding the Puritan’s concept of the devil and witchcraft • If you are accused of being a witch and confess, you are pardoned • If you are accused of being a witch and do not confess, you must be burned or hanged

12. Information regarding the Puritan’s concept of the devil and witchcraft • A witch can be tried by the water test • Tied up and tossed in a pond • If witch sinks, is innocent • If witch gets back to shore, is guilty

13. Information regarding the Puritan’s concept of the devil and witchcraft • Puritans had a Theocracy, which is a government that: • God is recognized as Supreme ruler • Religious authorities act as God’s representatives and control both church and state • Government could punish for church offenses, like: • Not attending church • Not knowing commandments • Not knowing the Lord’s prayer

14. Information regarding the Puritan’s concept of the devil and witchcraft • Puritan society demanded conformity • Early in the colony conformity was necessary for survival • Violators were not tolerated • Roger Williams suggested paying Indians for their land • Was run out of Salem • Left and founded Rhode Island • Turned each other in for violations against Puritan society • Questions of authority (ministers and judges) vs. individual rights (Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor)

15. Information regarding the Puritan’s concept of the devil and witchcraft • All this leads to fear therefore mass hysteria • The nature of the crime of witchcraft causes everyone to believe the victims (the accusers) • No witch will identify herself/ himself • Witchcraft is an invisiblecrime where the victim is believed

16. The Crucible’s connection to McCarthyism and the Red Scare • After Korean Conflict – U.S. in struggle with the USSR during the 1950’s • Joseph McCarthy, a congressman, made a career by looking for communists in the government and in American life • McCarthy was head of the House UnAmerican Actitivies Committee (HUAC) • Miller was called into hearing because of his background • He had worked in the labor movement as a young man • He had attended some writing workshops that were allegedly funded by the Communist party

17. The Crucible’s connection to McCarthyism and the Red Scare • McCarthy’s accusations were similar to a “witch hunt” because anyone who criticized or talked out against the hearings were accused of being a Communist • People were afraid of McCarthy’s power and were afraid to speak out against him • His accusations included a variety of groups and people, including the President of the United States

18. The Crucible’s connection to McCarthyism and the Red Scare • Miller was accused, but refused to admit that he was a Communist and refused to name others as Communists • The connection to The Crucible is this: innocent people were falsely accused of evil; it was easy to get rid of your enemy: just accuse him of being a witch or communist • The Crucible is an allegory for McCarthyism and the Red Scare

19. The End Witchcraft was hung, in History,But History and IFind all the Witchcraft that we needAround us, every Day— Emily Dickinson, #1583