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Published byPatrick Montgomery Modified over 9 years ago
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An Introduction
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1. What evidence is presented to “prove” that the woman is a witch? 2. Would this evidence hold up in a court today? 3. What is the purpose of this clip? 4. What does the clip prove about “witch hunts”?
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Colloquial term for finding a Scapegoat: (One who is the object of irrational hostility)
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Witch Hunts What happens when the American dream/cultural lifestyle is threatened? Witch hunt, metaphor, McCarthyism, Communism, Democracy
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Entertainment vs. Intellectualism Modern Dramatists Lorraine Hansberry Arthur Miller 3 Elements of modern drama Realistic characters Realistic dialogue Controversial issues
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Author of… Inspired by…
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McCarthy Hearings The Threat of Communism “Red Scare”
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Cold War Develops b/t Soviet Union and United States Stand off Nuclear threats Italy had a fast growing communist party 1949 Mao Zedong Overthrew US-Supported government in China
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1950 McCarthy claims Communists had infiltrated department of state Paranoia spreads American dream is threatened McCarthy claims Hollywood is influence by communism and is spreading propaganda McCarthy’s “Witch Hunt” begins
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Begin as early as 1480 in Europe as the reformation begins in Europe MP clip Involves moral panic, mass hysteria, lack of reason, and lynching Modern witch hunts are more FIGURATIVE… Metaphor for political persecution
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Political persecution of anyone associated with Communism—in actuality or imagined Film industry workers—subpoenaed to reveal names of the subversive people Government officials charged Secretary of the Navy accused of harboring Communist spies Anyone names suspect was blacklisted Can’t find work—fate worse than death?
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All of this inspired Arthur Miller in his writing Death of a Salesman: Receives a Pulitzer in 1949 Movie version produced 1950-1951 American Legion protests Miller asked to sign anti-communist declaration; refuses Columbia produces a short version, changing the message The Crucible Produced in 1953 Miller becomes the subject of FBI investiations
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Set during the time of the Salem Witch Trials Meant to send a message to the world about the Communist Witch Hunts Based on historical fact Changed to fit the purpose of the play
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What happens when the American dream/cultural lifestyle is threatened?
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Reverend Samuel Parris/ Stage Directions Betty Parris/ Stage Directions Abigail Williams/ Stage Directions Susanna Walcott/ Stage Directions Tituba/ Stage Directions Thomas Putnam/ Stage Directions Mrs. Ann Putnam/ Stage Directions Mercy Lewis/ Stage Directions Mary Warren/ Stage Directions John Proctor/ Stage Directions John Hale/ Stage Directions Giles Corey/ Stage Directions Rebecca Nurse/ Stage Directions Narrator 1 Narrator 2 Narrator 3 Narrator 4 Narrator 5
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