The Crucible by Arthur Miller I. Drama A. Definition: A form of literature that is written to be performed for an audience, whether on stage or in front of cameras.

B. Two main types 1. Tragedy: a. The story depicts the troubled part of the hero’s life in which a total reversal of fortune comes upon a person who formerly stood in high degree. b. The story leads up to and includes the death or moral destruction of the protagonist. C. The purpose is the evoke FEAR and PITY

2. Comedy: a story that is light and often humorous in tone. 3. Many dramas combine elements of both tragedy and comedy. C. Rules of drama 1. Plot: the sequence of actions and events. 2. Conflict: A struggle between opposing forces. a. External conflict: pits a character against nature, society, or another character.

b. Internal conflict: a conflict between b. Internal conflict: a conflict between opposing forces within a character. Setting: the time and place in which the action occurs 4.Characters: the people, animals, or other beings who take part of the action in a story Tragic Hero: the main character who is in an enviable position when the story begins – the downfall occurs because of some combination of fate, error in judgement, or personality flow 5.Theme: the central idea or ideas the writer intends to share with the reader

6. Acts and Scenes: Dramas are divided into acts and scenes, with each scene establishing a different time and place. Example: Page 166 Cast of characters: listed at the beginning before the action begins – Example: Page 165 Protagonist: the central character of the play 9. Antagonist; the character who opposes the protagonist

Stage directions: italicized instructions in a play – Example: Page 169 11 Foil: a minor character who contrasts in personality with the protagonist 12.Speech devices (dialogue) a. Monologue: a long speech spoken by a character to himself or herself, or to the audience b. Soliloquy: a monologue in which a character speaks his or her private thoughts aloud an appears to be unaware of the audience.

c. Aside: a short speech or comment that c. Aside: a short speech or comment that is delivered by a character to the audience, but that is beyond the hearing of other characters who are present

D. The McCarthy Era 1. By 1950, the US was involved in the Cold War with the Communist nations, particularly Russia. 2. The US developed a fear of the Communist threat to the American way of life.

3. Wisconsin Senator. Joseph McCarthy. launched a. crusade charging 3. Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy launched a crusade charging that many “known Communists” were working in the State Department. 4. He attacked General of the Army George C. Marshall and the Roosevelt and Truman administrations for treason.

The allegations and resultant investigations were labeled as “witch hunts.” McCarthy’s power came to an end in 1954, when the Senate voted to condemn him for his actions. The Crucible was viewed as a social protest play attacking the “witch hunt” tactics of McCarthy.

One of the play’s notable lines draws the analogy between the McCarthy era and the Salem witch trials: “Is the accuser always holy now?” Arthur Miller said that he was concerned with the dangers of mass hysteria.

E. Salem Witchcraft 1. Salem was a settlement of Puritans. 2. Puritans practiced a literal acceptance of the Bible.

3. Puritans also accepted the idea of witches.

Puritans were rigid people, intolerant of others, and fearful that any joyous activity (such as dancing) was inspired by the devil. Historically, problems began in 1691 when odd behavior of some community girls revealed that they had been dabbling in palmistry; witchcraft was said to be the cause.

Accusations developed into a form of mass hysteria, resulting in arrests of several prominent Massachusetts citizens and the hanging of nineteen people.

Salem Witch Trials Video History of the Salem Witch Trials Allegory: A story in which characters , events, and settings stand for other people or events, or abstract ideas: The Crucible is an allegory for McCarthyism!