1. Arthur Miller

2. Background Born October 17, 1915 in New York
More interested in sports than in academics
Graduated during the Great Depression
Poor grades did not allow for scholarship to the University of Michigan. Had to work to pay for college.
Worked for 2 years in an auto parts plant.

3. Background cont… Eventually attended U of Michigan.
First job - mouse tender in a university science lab.
Second job - night editor of the Michigan Daily
After graduation, returned to NY & wrote radio scripts

4. Major works
All My Sons - struck a note that was to become familiar in Miller’s work: the need for moral responsibility in families and society.
Death of a Salesman
The Crucible
After the Fall
The Price

5. Most known for … Winning a Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Marrying Marilyn Monroe (1956)
Refusing to give evidence before the House Un-American Activities Committee

6. McCarthyism
Crucible has parallels to accusations of the 1950s Communism scare of Senator Joseph McCarthy - “Red Scare” or “Red Hunt”
Writers, actors, & all kinds of other people were summoned to appear before McCarthy to answer the question: “Are you now or were you ever a Communist?”
They were also required to inform on neighbors & friends or be sent to jail.

7. The Crucible 1692 Salem, Mass.
Not successful in first production - critics questioned the comparison between the old witch-hunts and the contemporary hunt for Communists.
Later ran for 600 performances. It is now Miller’s most produced play.

8. The Crucible Definitions:
A container made of a substance that can resist great heat, for melting, fusing, or calcining ores, metals, etc.
A severe test or trial

9. The Crucible
Premise - young girls are caught acting strange - witchcraft is blamed. The girls begin accusing townspeople of influencing and being involved in the “craft.” Mass hysteria takes hold and the witch trials begin. Several members of Massachusetts’ families are accused, jailed, and many are executed.

11. Puritan Ideals Suffered religious persecution in Old World
Came to New World for religious freedom
Became persecutors in America (for religious differences of others)
Predestination - receive divine salvation
Theocracy - govt. controlled by church
Sinner: openly confess, repent, pay penance

12. Puritan Ideals Believed PLEASANT things were from Devil
- women could not dress pretty
- children could not play games
- theatres were forbidden
- dancing was a sin
Believed in witches in society
Believed devil lurked in the forest to trap man