1. The Crucible
Arthur Miller

2. Arthur Miller: A Life Born on October 17, 1915 in NYC
Attended the University of Michigan from
Graduated with a degree in journalism
Wrote and produced five plays just during his college career
Married three times
Guess who one of his wives was???
Died in 2005

4. Plays, screenplays The Crucible Both play and screenplay
Stars his son-in law, Daniel Day Lewis
Death of a Salesman
The Misfits (starred 2nd wife Marilyn Monroe)
Won two Pulitzer Prizes for his writing

5. McCarthyism
A time of paranoia and hysteria over communism in the mid 1950s
Many government officials were involved or accused
Many writers, actors, and directors lost their jobs
Many named names to save their own careers

6. McCarthyism
Known as "McCarthyism" after its most famous supporter and namesake, Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Reds—Communists
Russia
Fear of espionage/spies from Russia, China, Korea

7. Joseph McCarthy

8. HUAC
House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) (1938–1975) was an investigative committee of the United States House of Representatives.

9. 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 of Un- American Activities Committee (HUAC).

10. More…
He had only attended meetings looking to advocate social justice and equality
When brought before the committee, he refused to name any other attendees or name others suspected of having Communist sympathies
Found guilty of contempt of Congress, fined, sentenced to jail, later overturned

11. Connections?
With a partner, discuss why Miller chose to use the Salem witch trials to tell a story about the Red Scare.

12. Essential Question How do Americans use hysteria to their benefit?
How do religious and social beliefs shape the outcome of events/situations?

13. Salem, 1692

14. The Salem Witch Trials
The Puritan culture attributed its hardships to the Devil.
How? Why?
Several girls in the town began to have seizures and lapses of unconsciousness after seeking Tituba, a slave from Barbados, for fortune telling.

15. 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

16. Salem Witch Trials (cont.)
In 1706, Ann Putnam signs a letter of apology.
One of the girls who started the accusations
Samuel Sewell was the only judge to apologize for actions.

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

18. If you were accused…
Flee Salem!

19. If you were accused…
Accuse someone else

20. If you were accused…
Get pregnant

21. Confess, even though you’re innocent
If you were accused…
Confess, even though you’re innocent

22. Plead innocence and await trial
If you were accused…
Plead innocence and await trial

23. Refuse to stand trial and await the consequences
If you were accused…
Refuse to stand trial and await the consequences

24. Unit Outline You will be completing a study guide throughout the play
We will be reading parts in class and you will be expected to read as homework
You will be doing small writing assignments and projects throughout the play
As a final: project, essay, short test