The Crucible By Arthur Miller BACKGROUND NOTES

PURITAN BELIEFS Convinced that most of humanity would be damned due to Adam & Eve’s fall Not sure who were the “elect” and who were destined to be damned Believed in PREDESTINATION (determined by God before birth) and that the choice of the “elect” was arbitrary If “elected”, one could do no wrong, but if an “elect” did sin, he could still be saved because once elected, he would be saved forever

PURITAN BELIEFS CONT. Bible was the literal word of God Education very important because they must be able to read, interpret and debate theology All other ways of life were wrong Just as God could “elect” those to be saved, the Devil could select people to be bewitched Devil was a real and active enemy of mankind, not just an abstract figure

PURITAN BELIEFS CONT. Witches could definitely exist in society Felt the Devil was determined to destroy the New World because they were so righteous Naturally the Devil would need helpers – witches Vast forests gave the Devil plenty of places to hide Believed the “savage” Indians could also be agents of the Devil

PURITAN BELIEFS CONT. Accepted and promoted the concept of THEOCRACY – that the church should control the government – seemingly in conflict with our belief that our forefathers wanted true separation of church and state Believed the following were cardinal sins: *Adultery *Dancing *Playing games *Dressing “prettily” (Women were forbidden to do so.)

THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS Those accused of consorting with the Devil had committed a crime against the government and the punishment was hanging. The afflicted were those “possessed” & “tormented”. They accused or “cried out” the names of those supposedly possessing them, the accused.

THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS Both men and women were accused In Salem, 19 people hanged along with 2 dogs, while 1 man was pressed to death Similar trials took place in other places The witch trials lasted less than a year (1692)

THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS Experts are unsure what caused the girls’ “fits”. Some believe the cause was adolescent hysteria while some believe it was ergot (a type of fungus) poisoning. After the trials, the jurors and magistrates apologized, restitution was made to the victims’ families, and a Day of Fasting and Remembrance was instituted.

McCarthyism Refers to the use of careless, often false, accusations and methods of investigating that violate civil liberties Originates from Senator Joseph McCarthy’s hunt for “pinkos, radicals and Communists” in the 1950’s Sen. McCarthy accused the Democratic administration of supporting Communists during a time when America was in a struggle with the Soviet Union and growing Communism.

McCarthyism Playing on Americans’ great fear of Communism, McCarthy summoned hundreds of Americans to testify & threatened to brand them as Communists if they didn’t. Mass hysteria grew and the “witch hunts” began. Several Hollywood writers, actors, and other famous people were questioned; many were “blacklisted” and 10 were sent to prison for refusing to answer questions.

McCarthyism The Committee questioned Arthur Miller in 1956, who admitted to attending Communist meetings 10 years earlier to learn about it. Miller refused to answer questions about other people who attended those meetings, and he was held in contempt of court. He appealed and 2 years later won his case. McCarthy was eventually condemned by the Senate for misconduct and abuse of power.

Similarities Between the McCarthy Hearings and The Crucible Anyone opposed to the Salem judges was suspected of trying to undermine the court & was “probably a witch” Panic among Puritans led to “witch-hunts” for the Devil’s agents Puritans feared the Devil & his agents in the 1600’s Anyone opposing McCarthy was suspected of communism and often brought before the Senate committee Panic led to “witch hunt” for Communists Americans in the ’50’s feared Communism (Miller’s intentional use of these similarities makes this story an allegory.)