3. I. Arthur Miller- Background Information

4. -born in 1915 -raised in New York -grew up during the Depression

6. -wrote screenplays for Hollywood -won a Pulitzer in 1949 for Death of a Salesman -1953-wrote The Crucible

7. play based on the 1692 Salem witch trials. He wrote this play during the McCarthy hearings when his friends were being attacked for being pro-communist. play based on the 1692 Salem witch trials. He wrote this play during the McCarthy hearings when his friends were being attacked for being pro-communist.

8. II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON:

10. - the Red Scare- paranoia of the infiltration of communist operatives in the United States.

11. fed by the quick invention of the Soviet Atomic Bomb, (three years before predicted) It was assumed spies must have helped them.

12. Also feeding this fear was the fall of China to communism- the Korean war made this worse.

13. III. Senator McCarthy

14. The Senator created the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)- became a permanent committee of the United States House in 1945.

15. most widely known for its investigations of suspected Communist influence in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

16. IV. HUAC and Hollywood September 1947, HUAC subpoenaed 41 witnesses for its hearings on Communist influence in Hollywood.

17. Ten of them, mostly writers and directors, refused to answer questions at first, denounced the committee, and were held in contempt of Congress.

18. These witnesses became known as the "Hollywood Ten," and were blacklisted from the industry for many years afterward.

19. When The Crucible opened in January of 1953, audiences noted the similarities between the Salem witch trials and the HUAC investigations.

20. In 1956 Miller was called to testify before the committee. He was later convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to name persons seen at meetings organized by so-called Communist sympathizers. Miller’s conviction was overturned in 1958.

22. V. 1692 SALEM WITCHCRAFT TRIALS

23. THE CRUCIBLE is based on actual facts; facts which took place over 300 years ago.The story is a terrifying depiction of how the accusations of a group of children stirred up such fear in their small community that it led to persecution and hangings. t

24. About the Title A crucible is a pot or vessel commonly made from porcelain or other highly heat-resistant material. For centuries people used crucibles for melting metals, such as gold or silver, to test A crucible is a pot or vessel commonly made from porcelain or other highly heat-resistant material. For centuries people used crucibles for melting metals, such as gold or silver, to test them for purity.

25. Scientists use crucibles for heating materials in the process of chemical analysis… today the term crucible has come to mean “a severe test” or “a forced change” Scientists use crucibles for heating materials in the process of chemical analysis… today the term crucible has come to mean “a severe test” or “a forced change”

26. Welcometo the story of:

27. The main character and Tragic Hero of the Play: John Proctor

28. Elizabeth Proctor John Proctor’s wife

29. The antagonist of the play: Abigail Williams

30. Reverend Parris- Abigail’s Uncle

31. Giles Corey Husband of Martha and friend of the Proctor’s

32. Tituba Slave of Reverend Parris

33. Reverend Hale- expert on witchcraft

34. Judge Danforth- judge for the trial

35. In our day... The End