Contemporary American Theatre &The Crucible Historical and Political Background

American Theatre Contemporary Theatre (20 th century-now) Contemporary Theatre (20 th century-now) Focuses on social issues and lives of ORDINARY ppl Focuses on social issues and lives of ORDINARY ppl Provides in depth exploration of inner lives of characters Provides in depth exploration of inner lives of characters Shifts from total realism in 1 st half of century to more experimental forms Shifts from total realism in 1 st half of century to more experimental forms

Brief History of 20 th cent. American Theatre Prior to 20 th cent., American Theatre was primarily melodrama and farce Prior to 20 th cent., American Theatre was primarily melodrama and farce Influence of European realists at end of 19 th cent. changed Influence of European realists at end of 19 th cent. changed Wrote plays about life as it is really lived—”Slice of Life” Theatre Wrote plays about life as it is really lived—”Slice of Life” Theatre Important Playwrights Important Playwrights Drama Drama Eugene O’Neill--early part of 20 th cent. Eugene O’Neill--early part of 20 th cent. Tennessee Williams—combined realism and something more imaginative; playwright of “our souls”—middle of 20 th cent. Tennessee Williams—combined realism and something more imaginative; playwright of “our souls”—middle of 20 th cent. Arthur Miller—most significant playwright of the second half of 20 th century; plays of social conscience Arthur Miller—most significant playwright of the second half of 20 th century; plays of social conscience

Elements of Plot—Plays Exposition Exposition Inciting incident: one event that begins the conflict of the play (sometimes happens before the play begins, otherwise happens early in first act/scene) Inciting incident: one event that begins the conflict of the play (sometimes happens before the play begins, otherwise happens early in first act/scene) Rising Action: events that add to the conflict and complicate the plot Rising Action: events that add to the conflict and complicate the plot Turning point: an event/moment/decision in which one character could change the outcome of the conflict Turning point: an event/moment/decision in which one character could change the outcome of the conflict Climax Climax Denouement/Resolution Denouement/Resolution

Historical Background Salem 1692: Massachusetts Bay Colony Salem 1692: Massachusetts Bay Colony Factors that contributed to the hysteria Factors that contributed to the hysteria Royal Charter Revoked—fear of losing land to new settlers Royal Charter Revoked—fear of losing land to new settlers Theocratic form of government Theocratic form of government Massachusetts Body of Liberties—no law can be created that is in conflict with anything in the Bible Massachusetts Body of Liberties—no law can be created that is in conflict with anything in the Bible Strong Puritan belief in the Devil/punishing God Strong Puritan belief in the Devil/punishing God Small Pox Epidemic of 1691—believed God was punishing settlement for secret sins Small Pox Epidemic of 1691—believed God was punishing settlement for secret sins Increased Indian Raids—savages/devils lived in the forest Increased Indian Raids—savages/devils lived in the forest Wild behavior of teenagers—dancing, growing hair long— viewed as the cause of the Small Pox Epidemic & Indian Raids Wild behavior of teenagers—dancing, growing hair long— viewed as the cause of the Small Pox Epidemic & Indian Raids

Arthur Miller (b. 1915) Began playwriting career in college Began playwriting career in college 1 st success: All My Sons (1947) 1 st success: All My Sons (1947) 1 st great American Tragedy: Death of a Salesman (1949) 1 st great American Tragedy: Death of a Salesman (1949) Wrote The Crucible as a response to Red Scare of 1940s and 50s Wrote The Crucible as a response to Red Scare of 1940s and 50s Specifically targeted ppl who were in the arts and show business Specifically targeted ppl who were in the arts and show business

Red Scare House UnAmerican Activities Committee (HUAC) House UnAmerican Activities Committee (HUAC) Formed in 1938, gained steam after WWII Formed in 1938, gained steam after WWII Focused on left wing Americans who might be communist sympathizers Focused on left wing Americans who might be communist sympathizers 1947: began to focus on Hollywood—directly affected Arthur Miller 1947: began to focus on Hollywood—directly affected Arthur Miller

Factors that Contributed to Red Scare Alger Hiss Trial/Rosenbergs Trial Alger Hiss Trial/Rosenbergs Trial Truman Doctrine Truman Doctrine Truman Loyalty Program Truman Loyalty Program There was a climate of fear in America after WWII as a result of the rise of communism in Eastern Europe. As the Soviet Block extended its influence, Americans became wary of a communist takeover. There was a climate of fear in America after WWII as a result of the rise of communism in Eastern Europe. As the Soviet Block extended its influence, Americans became wary of a communist takeover.

Red Scare Joseph McCarthy: senator from Wisconsin Joseph McCarthy: senator from Wisconsin 1950: Claimed to have names of 205 communists working in the State Department 1950: Claimed to have names of 205 communists working in the State Department Targets democrats associated with New Deal Policies Targets democrats associated with New Deal Policies Targets Hollywood—writers and actors—believed to be producing films with subversive communist messages Targets Hollywood—writers and actors—believed to be producing films with subversive communist messages McCarthyism: anti-communist hysteria or the policy of Gov’t rooting out communism McCarthyism: anti-communist hysteria or the policy of Gov’t rooting out communism

Joseph McCarthy (con’t) People called before HUAC were encouraged to confess and name others involved People called before HUAC were encouraged to confess and name others involved Result of not confess or naming names Result of not confess or naming names Blacklisted—could not find work in their previous line of business Blacklisted—could not find work in their previous line of business Many left US, others committed suicide Many left US, others committed suicide Arthur Miller: refused to name names… Arthur Miller: refused to name names… As a result, he was fined for contempt of court As a result, he was fined for contempt of court