1. Anticipation Guide
1.It is wise to confess to a crime you didn't commit if it lets you avoid a punishment. (Example: Your parents think you lied to them...but you didn't. They tell you that you are going to be grounded for two weeks unless you admit that you lied. Is it wise to confess to the lie (that you never told) in order to avoid the punishment of being grounded?) 2. The difference between right and wrong is always clear. 3.It is better to die for what you believe in than it is to go against your beliefs in order to save your life. 4.What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. 5.It’s more difficult to forgive yourself if the person you have hurt doesn’t forgive you. 6.Courage means doing something even though it can be difficult and fearsome. 7. A person is innocent until proven guilty. 8. People in charge always know best.

2. The Crucible The story of The Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s
By Arthur Miller
The story of The Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s

3. The Author: Arthur Miller
Born in 1915 in New York City; died in 2005 (89-years-old)
Graduated from U of M with a journalism degree 
Famous ex-wife: Marilyn Monroe
Another famous play: Death of a Salesman

4. Why he wrote The Crucible
It was the 1950’s
The “Red Scare” was gripping America
The government saw Communists everywhere

5. Started with the Cold War
Began after WWII
Relations became strained between the U.S. (Democratic govt.) and the U.S.S.R (Communist govt.)
They were the two superpowers—and the only ones with nuclear weapons

6. What does this have to do with a play about witches?
Senator Joseph McCarthy

7. Senator JoSEPH McCarthy
Preyed on the public’s fear of Communism
Began accusing people of being Communists
Held biased trials
Two options: confess to being a Communist and risk public banishment OR accuse other “Communists”

8. House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC)

9. HUAC This was the committee in charge of trying “Communists”
Arthur Miller was brought before the committee in 1956
He was found in contempt because he refused to provide names of other Communists
Many people cooperated with the court, but a group of men from Hollywood, called the Hollywood Ten, refused, and they were imprisoned.

10. BLACKLISTED! Could not be hired by anyone
HUAC ruined many people’s careers

11. Why is the book about Salem … not McCarthy?
Miller wanted to prove the McCarthy’s logic was flawed, BUT he could not do so directly or he would have been thrown in jail
So he set his play, which warns people about the dangers of unfounded accusations, in Salem, MA

12. Allegory
Definition: a story that has a literal as well as figurative meaning (extended metaphor)
The Crucible is an allegory 
The Salem Witch Trials actually happened (literally), but Miller is actually warning people about McCarthy and the HUAC (figuratively)

13. Teen girls accused others of witchcraft, and it ran wild.
Setting
Salem, MA
15 miles north of Boston
Events began in 1692
Teen girls accused others of witchcraft, and it ran wild.
Lasted 14 months

14. Salem Witch Trial Facts
19 people executed (hanged)
5 people died in jail
1 person was tortured to death
47 people “confessed” to witchcraft
160 people were accused of witchcraft

15. Would you confess? Name other witches Possessions were sold
Claim your innocence
Possessions were sold
Family left homeless
No legacy for offspring
Death by hanging
Confess
Name other witches
Retain your land and possessions
Live

16. Puritan Beliefs Literal interpretation of the Bible
You were either committing a sin or pleasing God; there was no in between
No dancing, drinking or laziness
Emphasis on hard work and going to church
Theocracy government— combination of church and state

17. “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it
“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” -George Santayana, philosopher