The Crucible By Arthur Miller
Essential Question: What real-world connections can I make between the Salem witchcraft trials and our world today?
Salem Witch Trials In 1692 nineteen men and women and two dogs were convicted and hanged for witchcraft in Salem, MA. In 1957 the Massachusetts government passed a resolution absolving the descendents of the accused “of disgrace or distress.” Why did it take so long for the court to acknowledge its full responsibility? What happens when authority is challenged?
Crucibles “One dictionary definition of a crucible is a place of extreme heat, ‘a severe test’” (Bigsby xvi). What are some of the “crucibles” in your lives? http://www.rojan.com.au/cache/path/:upload:pages:foundry-crucibles-accessories:mammut-crucibles-in-action1.jpg/crop/1/width/500/height/285/round/15/name/mammut-crucibles-in-action1.jpg
The Playwright The Crucible opened in New York, NY in 1953 It tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The play is also an allegory of the “witch-hunts” of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) led by Senator McCarthy in the 1950s. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mbWThvBk2kA/SM_VbpqdO1I/AAAAAAAAGd8/gFC7uw2lsVs/s320miller.jpg
The Play as Allegory The main purpose of an allegory is to tell a story that has characters, setting and other types of symbols that have both literal and figurative meanings. The difference between an allegory and a symbol is that an allegory is a complete story that conveys abstract ideas to make a point, whereas a symbol is a representation of an idea that can have different meaning throughout a literary work.
Why An Allegory? Miller writes: “‘…it was simply impossible any longer to discuss what was happening to us in contemporary terms. …perhaps by revealing the nature of [the hysteria in Salem] some light could be thrown on what we were doing to ourselves. And that’s how the play came to be’” (Bigsby xii).
Salem-Washington Parallels According to Miller: Both ritualistic hearings. The main point is that the accused make public confession, damn friends, the Devil, and guarantee allegiance to by breaking old vows. Then, the accused are free to rejoin society of decent people. http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/treasures_of_congress/Images/page_23/70b.jpg
Allegory For Our Times? Could this play be an allegory for our times? Consider the fight against terrorism as laid out to the world by former President, George W. Bush on November 6, 2001: “You are either with us or against us.” http://www.damonchernavsky.com/Pictures/Pictures_Of_US_Presidents/George-W-Bush.jpg
Themes: A Play About Perfection The Puritans: A city on a hill. Belief in unique virtues. Society that seeks to sustain a dream of perfection by denying all possibility of imperfection. “Evil can only be external, for theirs is a city on a hill” (Bigsby xxv).
A Tragedy A tragedy is a story where individuals confront powerful forces and reveal the depth of human nature even the face of failure. A tragic flaw is an error or defect that leads to the downfall of the hero. This play is a tragedy for an individual and a tragedy for a community. http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3842873344/ch0033207
Tragic Hero: Has a tragic flaw Has a tragic dilemma (a no-win situation) Experiences a reversal Experiences a moment of recognition when he sees his flaw (usually when it’s too late
Theme: The central message of a work of literature often expressed as a general statement about life Some themes are universal, meaning they are widely held ideas about life
Themes in The Crucible: -Adultery (lechery) -Integrity -Authority -Guilt -Reputation -Revenge -Hysteria *****What other themes can you find in the play???
Marilyn In case you thought the life of a playwright was hopelessly un-cool, Arthur Miller was married to Marilyn Monroe from 1956-1961. http://trybecca.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/miller-727882.jpg
Puritanism: Religious reform movement in the late 16th century that set out to “purify” the Church of England They sought through church reform to make their lifestyle the pattern for the whole nation
Puritan Beliefs: It is necessary to be in a covenant relationship with God in order to redeem oneself from sin The Holy Spirit was the energizing instrument of salvation Church and State was one: the government could force you to practice Puritanism Theocracy Activities that were pleasurable were limited or prohibited; life was devoted to God (praying)
Puritans left England during the 1630-1640 because they rejected the teachings of the Church of England and came to America, settling in the New England colonies, most in Massachusetts Bay Puritans were fined for not going to church Predestination: God had already determined who would be saved good work ethic equaled salvation and reward from God
Fun activities were prohibited or practiced in moderation Prohibited activities: attending plays, playing music, or erotic poetry!!! The forest was a bad place: the Devil lurked there!!!!