The Crucible Arthur Miller

Arthur Miller: A Life Born on October 17, 1915 in NYC Attended the University of Michigan from 1934-1938 Graduated with a degree in journalism Wrote and produced five plays just during his college career Married three times Guess who one of his wives was??? Died in 2005

Plays, screenplays The Crucible Both play and screenplay Stars his son-in law, Daniel Day Lewis Death of a Salesman The Misfits (starred 2nd wife Marilyn Monroe) Won two Pulitzer Prizes for his writing

McCarthyism A time of paranoia and hysteria over communism in the mid 1950s Many government officials were involved or accused Many writers, actors, and directors lost their jobs Many named names to save their own careers

McCarthyism Known as "McCarthyism" after its most famous supporter and namesake, Senator Joseph McCarthy. Reds—Communists Russia Fear of espionage/spies from Russia, China, Korea

Joseph McCarthy

HUAC House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) (1938–1975) was an investigative committee of the United States House of Representatives.

Miller and HUAC Investigated for possible associations with the Communist party from 1953 to 1955 In 1956, he was called to testify before the House of Un- American Activities Committee (HUAC).

More… He had only attended meetings looking to advocate social justice and equality When brought before the committee, he refused to name any other attendees or name others suspected of having Communist sympathies Found guilty of contempt of Congress, fined, sentenced to jail, later overturned

Connections? With a partner, discuss why Miller chose to use the Salem witch trials to tell a story about the Red Scare.

Essential Question How do Americans use hysteria to their benefit? How do religious and social beliefs shape the outcome of events/situations?

Salem, 1692

The Salem Witch Trials The Puritan culture attributed its hardships to the Devil. How? Why? Several girls in the town began to have seizures and lapses of unconsciousness after seeking Tituba, a slave from Barbados, for fortune telling.

The Salem Witch Trials (cont.) Tituba and two elderly women were accused at first; by the end, many of the community’s most prominent citizens were accused. Overall nineteen were hanged, four accused died in prison, and one was pressed to death

Salem Witch Trials (cont.) In 1706, Ann Putnam signs a letter of apology. One of the girls who started the accusations Samuel Sewell was the only judge to apologize for actions.

Connections Miller wrote The Crucible as a metaphor for McCarthyism in the 1950s Miller felt there was a “witch hunt” within the government and beyond Like the witch trials, it was easier to admit guilt than maintain innocence Blacklisting The play is widely performed when social unrest is present in a culture

If you were accused… Flee Salem!

If you were accused… Accuse someone else

If you were accused… Get pregnant

Confess, even though you’re innocent If you were accused… Confess, even though you’re innocent

Plead innocence and await trial If you were accused… Plead innocence and await trial

Refuse to stand trial and await the consequences If you were accused… Refuse to stand trial and await the consequences

Unit Outline You will be completing a study guide throughout the play We will be reading parts in class and you will be expected to read as homework You will be doing small writing assignments and projects throughout the play As a final: project, essay, short test