1. Background for The Crucible1

2. The Crucible’s author: Arthur Miller
American playwright who combined in his works social awareness with deep insights into personal weaknesses of his characters.
Miller was one of the best-known American playwrights after World War II.
Miller is best known for the play Death of a Salesman (1949). 2

3. Along with writing, Arthur Miller was also famous for his marriage to Marilyn Monroe.

4. The Fabulous 50s 4

5. In the early days of the Cold War, many of Arthur Miller’s friends were being investigated to be determined if they were communist sympathizers. 5

6. Why are we talking about Arthur Miller at all??
Arthur Miller is the author of The Crucible which we will be reading in class.
Later we will be writing about the author’s purpose.Not about him, but his purpose for writing the play. 6

7. In 1956 Miller was called before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Miller admitted that he had attended certain meetings, but denied that he was a Communist. 7

8. What is the difference between a novel and a drama?
A novel is read, while a drama is a story told through characters played by actors on a stage. 8

9. What is the protagonist?
The main character of a narrative.
It is the central character who engages the reader’s interest and empathy. 9

10. What is the antagonist?
The character or force (thing) pitted against the protagonist.

11. What is the setting? Time and place of a story.
Social environment can play a major role in the story.
Setting helps develop the mood.

12. What is allegory?
Allegory is a form of extended metaphor, in which objects, persons, and actions in a story or play, REPRESENT ideas or themes, usually related to morality, religion or politics.
Characters often represent abstract ideas as charity, justice, greed, or envy.
For example: In The Lord of the Flies, the conch represented civility and order; while the character Simon represented peace and nature. 12

13. What is conflict? Conflict is the struggle or problem in a story.
Conflict can be divided between external and internal.
For external conflicts, be able to explain the two forces against each other. 13

14. What is irony?
Situational irony is something that happens that is contrary to what was expected or intended
Dramatic irony occurs when the audience or readers KNOW something that is NOT known by the characters. 14

15. What is theme?
The theme is the main idea of a story, the abstract concept explored in a literary work; the lesson learned or a frequently recurring idea.
You extract it from the characters, action, and setting that make up the story.
In other words, you must figure out the theme for yourself. 15

16. What is a theocracy? Simply, it is government by religion.
A government where the rule of law is based upon religion.
Citizens are subject to religious authority.
An example in today’s world is Iran. 16

17. Possible mini-argument questions.
What is the theme of the play?
What is the climax of the play?
Identify most important conflicts.
Identify irony.
How is irony used differently?
How is pathos used in the play? 17

18. Literary terms for The Crucible
Setting
Mood
Allegory
Conflict
Climax
Protagonist
Antagonist
Irony
Dramatic irony
Theme 18