1. Arthur Miller & The Crucible
The realities behind the play

2. Arthur Miller Born in 1915 in New York City
Held many jobs as a young man
Truck Driver
Radio Singer
Car Parts Clerk
Graduated from the University of Michigan

3. Arthur Miller- The Author
The Man Who Had All the Luck
All My Sons
Death of a Salesman
A View from the Bridge
The Misfits
After the Fall

4. Arthur Miller – His Love Life
Married Mary Grace Slattery in 1940
Married Marilyn Monroe in 1956
Married Inge Morath in 1962

5. Characteristics of Arthur Miller’s Work
Pointed political and social commentary
Voiced his concern through his art
Two most famous works are tragedies
“Politicians are us, which is very dangerous. If they weren't us, it would be a lot better.”
-Arthur Miller

6. THE RED SCARE! The Cold War began shortly after WWII
International “stare down” between America and the USSR
Little to no actual fighting between the two countries (hence ….”The Cold War” )
USSR and America become world’s superpowers
Mostly due to nuclear weapons

7. Mutually Assured Destruction
Reason why the Cold War remained cold
Any “hot” war, or direct conflict, risked the use of nuclear weapons
Should nuclear weapons be used, both countries would be completely obliterated
Thus, shadow wars, spying and indirect conflict through proxies

8. What does this have to do with a play about witches?

9. Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s “witch hunt”
One United States senator, Joseph McCarthy, preyed upon the populace’s fear of communist infiltration and subversion
Led pointed, and biased, trials against “suspected” communists
These trials were reactionary by nature

10. House Committee on Un-American Activities (HCUA)

11. HUAC
A special congressional committee charged with gathering information about subversive propaganda and people.
Arthur Miller subpoenaed by HCUA in 1956
Cited for contempt of Congress because he would not provide names of other “communists”

12. Salem Witch Trials

13. Arthur Miller to The Guardian/The Observer; Saturday, June 17, 2000
“So in one sense The Crucible was an attempt to make life real again, palpable and structured. One hoped that a work of art might illuminate the tragic absurdities of an anterior work of art that was called reality, but was not.”
Arthur Miller to The Guardian/The Observer; Saturday, June 17, 2000

14. Salem Witch Trial Facts
19 people executed (hanged)
2 dogs executed as suspected accomplices
5 people died in jail, awaiting trial or sentencing
1 person died under torture
Pressed to death by stones
47 people confessed to witchcraft
Over 160 accused of witchcraft

15. Salem Witch Trial Facts (cont.)
Most cases began based on spectral evidence
Based upon dreams and visions
Accused “sent” his/her spirit out of the body to harm or harass accuser

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

17. Causes of Witchcraft Hysteria
Honest belief that evil forces were working in the world
Ergot poisoning – caused by a fungus growing on rotting grains – same fungus from which LSD is derived
Teenage boredom (most accusations came from a group of 8 young girls)
Politics, feuds, and greed

18. Important Vocabulary
Crucible: cru·ci·ble [ krssəb'l ] (plural cru·ci·bles) noun Definition: 1. metallurgy container for melting something: a heat-resistant container in which ores or metals are melted 2. metallurgy bottom of furnace: the hollow part at the bottom of a furnace where molten metal collects 3. testing circumstances: a place or set of circumstances where people or things are subjected to forces that test them and often make them change 4. ordeal: a severe trial or ordeal

19. Important Vocabulary
al·le·go·ry [ állə gàwree ] (plural al·le·go·ries) noun  Definition:  
1. symbolic work: a work in which the characters and events are to be understood as representing other things and symbolically expressing a deeper, often spiritual, moral, or political meaning

20. Important Vocabulary
mo·ti·va·tion [ mtə váysh'n ] (plural mo·ti·va·tions) noun Definition: 1. giving of reason to act: the act of giving somebody a reason or incentive to do something

21. What are three examples of suspected witchcraft we studied today?
Exit Slip
What is the connection between the Salem Witch Trials and Senator McCarthy?
What are three examples of suspected witchcraft we studied today?

22. Work Cited
Encarta Dictionary. Encarta, Microsoft. Web. 7 Aug < Ruedin. “Arthur Miller and the Crucible” PowerPoint Presentation for English III, < _Miller_and_The_Crucible_presentation_notes.pdf .> Spring 204