1. The Crucible
Class Notes

2. Playwright
Social commentator

3. Historical Influences on Miller
Miller born 1915
Stock Market Crash 1929
Great Depression
WWII
Communism and McCarthyism

4. Personal Information Born to Jewish immigrant parents
enrolled in the University of Michigan where he studied writing and worked on a number of plays
Moved to New York after graduating and worked as a freelance writer
Had a short marriage to actress Marilyn Monroe
Information from

5. Miller and wife Marilyn Monroe

6. Miller’s Plays All My Sons- 1947 Death of a Salesman- 1949
The Crucible regarding Salem Witch Trials (a commentary on McCarthyism)

7. Themes Power conflicts Social responsibility The impact of the past
Guilt
Hope
Corruption of authority
Struggle between individual and authority

8. McCarthyism
is the term describing a period of intense anti-Communist suspicion in the United States that lasted roughly from late 1940s to late 1950s
During this time, many Americans were subject to investigations
The primary targets were government employees, educators, union activists, and some entertainers
Many people lost jobs or were imprisoned

9. Pg. 3-
Spring, Salem, MA – 1692
Rev. Parris-doesn’t believe in the witchcraft- “no evidence”, afraid of losing respect , Harvard College, people don’t like him, Betty, he’s a widower, not good with kids
Puritan life- no personal, vain enjoyment, work, pray
WILDERNESS/ FOREST- “Devil’s last preserve”
Girls- drinking blood, running naked in woods
Sent for Rev. Hale of Beverly

10. Pg. 8-
Witch hunt
Pg. 8- land lust
Cry witch- makes others lose land
Tituba- slave from Barbados, “speak to the dead”, cares for Betty (works for Rev. Parris),
Abigail – 17 years old, parents were killed by NA, violent, leader of the girls, drank blood,
Mr. and Mrs. Putnam
Mrs. Putnam- lost 7/8 children- only Ruth is left

11. Thomas Putnam
Vindictive, resentful, bitter
Wealthy/ entitled members of community
Doesn’t like Rev. Parris
Believes that “witch craft” is responsible for children’s behavior

12. Abigail, Mercy Lewis, and Mary Warren
Abigail- used to work for Proctor family
Mercy- works for Putnams (taking care of Ruth)
Mary – works for Proctors currently – 17, lonely, naïve
PROCTOR- JOHN
30’s
“he is a sinner” – he hasn’t followed his own moral code
It’s OVER Abby!

13. Rebecca Nurse
Mediator
Older, wise woman, voice of reason
She has many children, grandchildren
Accused of witch craft
Rev. Hale- minister from Beverly who is coming at the request of Rev. Parris

14. Proctor, Putnam, Parris Fighting about land and resources
Proctor v. Putnam
Giles siding with Proctor

15. Act 1- things we should notice
The discussion of “wilderness”.
The way the Puritans live
The social tension
The selfish reasons that people would come to “call” each other witches
How reputation impacts or does not impact