Arthur Miller & The Crucible The realities behind the play
Arthur Miller Born in 1915 in New York City Held many jobs as a young man Truck Driver Radio Singer Car Parts Clerk Graduated from the University of Michigan
Arthur Miller- The Author The Man Who Had All the Luck All My Sons Death of a Salesman A View from the Bridge The Misfits After the Fall
Arthur Miller – His Love Life Married Mary Grace Slattery in 1940 Married Marilyn Monroe in 1956 Married Inge Morath in 1962
Characteristics of Arthur Miller’s Work Pointed political and social commentary Voiced his concern through his art Two most famous works are tragedies “Politicians are us, which is very dangerous. If they weren't us, it would be a lot better.” -Arthur Miller
THE RED SCARE! The Cold War began shortly after WWII International “stare down” between America and the USSR Little to no actual fighting between the two countries (hence ….”The Cold War” ) USSR and America become world’s superpowers Mostly due to nuclear weapons
Mutually Assured Destruction Reason why the Cold War remained cold Any “hot” war, or direct conflict, risked the use of nuclear weapons Should nuclear weapons be used, both countries would be completely obliterated Thus, shadow wars, spying and indirect conflict through proxies
What does this have to do with a play about witches?
Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s “witch hunt” One United States senator, Joseph McCarthy, preyed upon the populace’s fear of communist infiltration and subversion Led pointed, and biased, trials against “suspected” communists These trials were reactionary by nature
House Committee on Un-American Activities (HCUA)
HUAC A special congressional committee charged with gathering information about subversive propaganda and people. Arthur Miller subpoenaed by HCUA in 1956 Cited for contempt of Congress because he would not provide names of other “communists”
Salem Witch Trials
Arthur Miller to The Guardian/The Observer; Saturday, June 17, 2000 “So in one sense The Crucible was an attempt to make life real again, palpable and structured. One hoped that a work of art might illuminate the tragic absurdities of an anterior work of art that was called reality, but was not.” Arthur Miller to The Guardian/The Observer; Saturday, June 17, 2000
Salem Witch Trial Facts 19 people executed (hanged) 2 dogs executed as suspected accomplices 5 people died in jail, awaiting trial or sentencing 1 person died under torture Pressed to death by stones 47 people confessed to witchcraft Over 160 accused of witchcraft
Salem Witch Trial Facts (cont.) Most cases began based on spectral evidence Based upon dreams and visions Accused “sent” his/her spirit out of the body to harm or harass accuser
Would you confess? Claim your innocence Confess Name other witches Possessions taken and sold Family left homeless No legacy for offspring Death by hanging Confess Name other witches Retain your land and possessions Live (!)
Causes of Witchcraft Hysteria Honest belief that evil forces were working in the world Ergot poisoning – caused by a fungus growing on rotting grains – same fungus from which LSD is derived Teenage boredom (most accusations came from a group of 8 young girls) Politics, feuds, and greed
Important Vocabulary Crucible: cru·ci·ble [ krssəb'l ] (plural cru·ci·bles) noun Definition: 1. metallurgy container for melting something: a heat-resistant container in which ores or metals are melted 2. metallurgy bottom of furnace: the hollow part at the bottom of a furnace where molten metal collects 3. testing circumstances: a place or set of circumstances where people or things are subjected to forces that test them and often make them change 4. ordeal: a severe trial or ordeal
Important Vocabulary al·le·go·ry [ állə gàwree ] (plural al·le·go·ries) noun Definition: 1. symbolic work: a work in which the characters and events are to be understood as representing other things and symbolically expressing a deeper, often spiritual, moral, or political meaning
Important Vocabulary mo·ti·va·tion [ mtə váysh'n ] (plural mo·ti·va·tions) noun Definition: 1. giving of reason to act: the act of giving somebody a reason or incentive to do something
What are three examples of suspected witchcraft we studied today? Exit Slip What is the connection between the Salem Witch Trials and Senator McCarthy? What are three examples of suspected witchcraft we studied today?
Work Cited Encarta Dictionary. Encarta, Microsoft. Web. 7 Aug. 2009. <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/crucible%2520.html>. Ruedin. “Arthur Miller and the Crucible” PowerPoint Presentation for English III, <http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/teachers/jruedin/pdfs/2398/Arthur _Miller_and_The_Crucible_presentation_notes.pdf .> Spring 204