1. The Crucible
Arthur Miller

2. Why the Crucible?
Miller wrote about the event as an allegory for Communism, McCarthyism and the Red Scare.
Wrote “The Crucible” in 1953.
He used personal experience of conviction for contempt of Congress (he refused to implicate others who had attended meetings of the American Communist Party) to write “The Crucible”.
Miller wrote the play to warn against mass hysteria and to plead for freedom and tolerance.

3. Arthur Miller: A Life Born on October 17, 1915
Attended the University of Michigan from
Graduated with a degree in journalism
Wrote and produced five plays during college career
Married three times
Two daughters, one son

5. 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 Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC).
Only attended meetings looking to advocate social justice and equality
When brought before the committee, he refused to name any other attendees.

6. Miller and HUAC (cont.)
Found guilty of contempt
Later released

7. Communism

8. Communism Definition
1. a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.
2. ( often initial capital letter ) a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party.

9. McCarthyism

10. McCarthyism
public accusation of Communist sympathies: the practice of publicly accusing somebody, especially somebody in government or the media, of subversive or Communist activities or sympathies, especially without real evidence to substantiate this
unfair accusation or investigation of people: the practice of using unsubstantiated accusations or unfair methods of investigation to discredit people

11. The Red Scare A time of paranoia and hysteria over communism
Many government officials were involved or accused.
Many writers, actors, and directors lost their jobs
Many named names to save their own careers

12. Salem, 1692

13. The Salem Witch Trials In 1692, twenty were executed; 150 were jailed.
The Puritan culture attributed its hardships to the Devil.
Several girls in the town began to have seizures and lapses of unconsciousness after seeking Tituba, a slave from Barbados, for fortunetelling.

14. 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
In 1706, Ann Putnam signs a letter of apology.

15. Salem Witch Trials (cont.)
Samuel Sewell was the only judge to apologize for actions.

16. Possible Causes Hallucinations from spoiled food Boredom
Strict society
Social cleansing?
Land dispute

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

18. 20th Century Witch Hunts
The Holocaust

19. 20th Century Witch Hunts
Japanese-American Internment Camps

20. 20th Century Witch Hunts: Racial Profiling
African Americans
Native Americans
Arab/Middle-Eastern decent

21. 20th Century Witch Hunts: Stereotypes
Homosexuality
AIDS

22. Closing Thoughts Be aware of false accusations Rumors do harm
Integrity is key
Not all things are as they seem