1. The Crucible By: Arthur Miller Notes

2. Puritanism 0 In the late 16 th century a group of radical English Protestants wanted to “purify” the Church of England by eliminating it’s connections and influence of the Roman Catholic Church 0 Viewed all pleasures as the wiles of Satan. 0 Banned music, dancing, and the theater. 0 Clung to virtues of prudence, thriftiness, hard work, and self reliance. Word Connection: The words puritan and puritanical have come to suggest a zeal for keeping people from enjoying themselves.

3. Puritans Values and beliefs: Total Depravity Unconditional Election The Bible Hard Work Education Thriftiness Covenants Public Confessional

4. Arthur Miller 0 Born in 1915 in NYC 0 Was married to Marilyn Monroe 0 Other Works: 0 Death of a Salesman 0 All My Sons 0 A View from the Bridge

5. The Crucible 0 Although the play depicts the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, the audience knew that Miller was talking about the “Red Scare” of 1947. 0 Miller used actual Salem courthouse records to create his play and the characters involved.

6. Quick McCarthyism Facts 0 McCarthy charged that communists had infiltrated the State Department. 0 Accusations were backed up by no evidence, but gained credibility at the height of the Cold War. 0 McCarthy was chairman of the Senate Permanent Investigations Subcommittee- they summoned hundreds of Americans to testify and threatened to brand them as communists if they refused to cooperate. 0 Hundreds of people were “blacklisted” or unofficially prohibited from working in their chosen professions. 0 McCarthy was ultimately condemned by the Senate in 1954 for his misconduct and abuse of power.

7. The Crucible 0 Arthur’s plays typically center around the lack of self- knowledge, false values, betrayal, greed, and the individual’s responsibility to him/herself and to society. 0 Think…what was your responsibility to Irwin at Valley Ville?

8. Witchcraft in The Crucible 0 People believed in witchcraft more than understood mischief of the young. In trial, evidence didn’t matter. 0 Puritans used witchcraft/witches as a scapegoat. They lacked understanding which led to suspicion, which led to superstition. 0 Word Connection: the term “witch hunt” is used today, typically in politics. 0 Scapegoat – a person/thing/event that can be blamed for all the ills of society and a belief that if it’s removed all the problems will be eliminated.